Science Year 5 May the Forces Be With You

A rare and important meteorite has landed in a remote part of Europe. The Natural History Museum recovery team is on its way to retrieve it, but they need a remote back up team with forces expertise. Are you up for the challenge?

Science Objectives
i) Explain that unsupported objects fall towards the Earth because of the force of gravity acting between the Earth and the falling object.

Working Scientifically

1. Identify scientific evidence that has been used to support or refute ideas or arguments.

Extended Writing Opportunity
Biography: Research key facts about Isaac Newton and write a brief biography for a science hall of fame.

Parachuting In
The recovery team needs to parachute in to begin the process of repatriation - but which parachute is best? Your remote team needs to work out the solution.

Science Objectives
i) Explain that unsupported objects fall towards the Earth because of the force of gravity acting between the Earth and the falling object.

ii) Identify the effects of air resistance, that acts between moving surfaces.

Working Scientifically

1. Plan different types of scientific enquiries to answer questions, including recognising and controlling variables where necessary.
2. Take measurements, using a range of scientific equipment, with increasing accuracy and precision, taking repeat readings when appropriate.
3. Record data and results of increasing complexity using scientific diagrams and labels, and tables.
4. Use test results to make predictions to set up further comparative and fair tests.
5. Report and present findings from enquiries, including conclusions, causal relationships and explanations of and degree of trust in results, in oral form.

Other Curriculum Areas
Maths

• Calculate and compare the area of rectangles (including squares) using square centimetres (cm2).
• Use all four operations to solve problems involving measure using decimal notation, including scaling.
• Scale speed from cm/second to m/min and km/hr.

The meteorite is in a big hole - how will the recovery team get it out in order to retrieve it? Take a masterclass in levers and pulleys in order to send a brief to your forces on the ground.

Science Objectives

i) Explain that unsupported objects fall towards the Earth because of the force of gravity acting between the Earth and the falling object.

iii) Recognise that some mechanisms, including levers and pulleys, allow a smaller force to have a greater effect.

Working Scientifically

1. Plan different types of scientific enquiries to answer questions, including recognising and controlling variables where necessary.
2. Take measurements, using a range of scientific equipment, with increasing accuracy and precision, taking repeat readings when appropriate.
3. Record data and results of increasing complexity using scientific diagrams and labels and tables.
4. Use test results to make predictions to set up further comparative and fair tests.
5. Report and present findings from enquiries, including conclusions, causal relationships and explanations of and degree of trust in results, in written forms.

Other Curriculum Areas
Maths

• Use all four operations to solve problems involving measure using decimal notation, including scaling.
• Scale weights and lengths using appropriate calculations.

The meteorite is on its way, but the rest of the team are on bikes - and the gears are not labelled. Can you help them to work out which gears will help them on which terrain?

Science Objectives
i) Recognise that gear mechanisms allow a smaller force to have a greater effect.

ii) Identify the effects of friction, that acts between moving surfaces.

Working Scientifically

1. Plan different types of scientific enquiries to answer questions, including recognising and controlling variables where necessary.
2. Record data and results of increasing complexity using scientific diagrams and labels, tables, scatter graphs, bar and line graphs.
3. Use test results to make predictions to set up further comparative and fair tests.
4. Report and present findings from enquiries, including conclusions, causal relationships and explanations of and degree of trust in results, in oral and written forms such as displays and other presentations.

Other Curriculum Areas
Maths

• Solve problems involving multiplication and division, including scaling by simple fractions and problems involving simple rates.

Extended Writing Opportunity
Journalistic reports: Write an article, for a cycling magazine, based on your investigation of bike gears and tell them the best gear combinations for specific terrains.

Your team has reached a three way split of paths, all with differing surfaces. Can you recommend the path that won’t be too fast or too slow, but just right?

Science Objectives
i) Identify the effects of friction that acts between moving surfaces.

Working Scientifically

1. Plan different types of scientific enquiries to answer questions, including recognising and controlling variables where necessary.
2. Take measurements, using a range of scientific equipment, with increasing accuracy and precision, taking repeat readings when appropriate.
3. Record data and results of increasing complexity using scientific diagrams and labels, tables, scatter graphs, bar and line graphs.
4. Use test results to make predictions to set up further comparative and fair tests.
5. Report and present findings from enquiries, including conclusions, causal relationships and explanations of and degree of trust in results, in oral and written forms such as displays and other presentations.

Science Objectives
i) Explain that unsupported objects fall towards the Earth because of the force of gravity acting between the Earth and the falling object.

ii) Identify the effects of water resistance, that acts between moving surfaces.

Working Scientifically

1. Plan different types of scientific enquiries to answer questions, including recognising and controlling variables where necessary.
2. Take measurements, using a range of scientific equipment, with increasing accuracy and precision, taking repeat readings when appropriate.
3. Record data and results of increasing complexity using scientific diagrams and labels, tables, scatter graphs, bar and line graphs.
4. Use test results to make predictions to set up further comparative and fair tests.
5. Report and present findings from enquiries, including conclusions, causal relationships and explanations of and degree of trust in results, in oral and written forms such as displays and other presentations.

Extended Writing Opportunities
Explanation: Based on your scientific investigation, explain clearly to the recovery team leader which shape of boat is best for crossing safely across a water way and why, giving scientific reasons.