Properties of Materials

Science Year 5 Music Festival Materials

The annual Spring Music Festival launches in just over 2 months and you have been selected to form the ‘materials committee’. Do you know your thermal insulators from your thermal conductors? Can you find the best materials for take-out bags and drinks bottles? You will need to carry out an impressive array of tests to identify which materials are up to the job for a variety of festival needs. Roll your festival sleeves up… you’re going to need to get your hands dirty!

Session 1 Food prep materials challenge

Objectives

All food prep areas need to meet health and safety standards as well as be made from the best (and hardest) materials around. Your job is to investigate and make recommendations for the right material options.

Science Objectives
i) Compare and group together everyday materials on the basis of their properties, including their hardness, transparency, and conductivity (electrical and thermal).

ii) Give reasons, based on evidence from comparative and fair tests, for the particular uses of everyday materials, including metals, wood and plastic.

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 tables and scatter graphs.
  3. Report and present findings from enquiries, including conclusions and explanations of and degree of trust in results, in oral and written forms such as displays and other presentations.

You Will Need

Provided Resources

  • Wrong materials resource
  • Food prep area health & safety guidelines
  • Sticky-notes investigations guidance & example

Additional Resources

  • Range of materials (see suggested list) & nails for scratching
  • Video recording devices

Weblinks
Camp Bestival – aftermovie video from YouTube.com

Lesson Planning

Teaching

  • Plan and carry out an investigation on a range of materials to test for hardness.
  • Present results, identifying the hardest materials that are also fit for purpose as a food prep surface.

Activities

  1. List properties suited to food prep surfaces.
  2. Plan and carry out an investigation on a range of materials for their hardness.
  3. Record findings in table and scatter graph form.
  4. Select the hardest materials from a range of materials that are also smooth and easy to clean.

Investigation - exploring
Investigate hard materials suitable for food preparation.

Vocabulary
Opinion/fact, variables, accuracy, precision, scatter graphs, material names, property names, enquiry

Session 2 Keeping it hot... Keeping it cold

Objectives

Ice creams need to stay cold, and hot chocolates and coffees need to stay hot. Can you investigate the insulating properties of a range of materials and make recommendations to food stall holders?

Science Objectives
i) Compare and group together everyday materials on the basis of their properties, including their hardness, transparency, and conductivity (electrical and thermal).

ii) Give reasons, based on evidence from comparative and fair tests, for the particular uses of everyday materials, including metals, wood and plastic.

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 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 & presentations.

Lesson Planning

Teaching

  • Plan and carry out an investigation on given materials to explore thermal insulating properties.
  • Record and present findings, identifying the best materials for keeping liquids hot or ice cold.
  • Suggest uses for thermal conductors in food prep.

Activities

  1. Be able to define thermal conductor and thermal insulator.
  2. Plan and set up an investigation to determine which materials make the best thermal insulators.
  3. Record findings in table and line graph form.
  4. Recommend materials to store hot drinks and ice cream in based on investigation findings.

Investigation - exploring/fair testing
Investigate thermal insulating properties of materials to keep refreshments hot or cold.

Vocabulary
Variables, accuracy, precision, line graphs, causal relationship, degree of trust, thermal insulator/conductor

Session 3 Food packaging challenge

Objectives

Paper bags and bottles seem to be the way to go when it comes to take-out refreshments. But which is the best paper to use? And should stall holders go with glass or plastic for their drinks bottles? It is your job to find the answers.

Science Objectives
i) Give reasons, based on evidence from comparative and fair tests, for the particular uses of everyday materials, including metals, wood and plastic.

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, classification keys, tables, scatter graphs, bar and line graphs.
  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.
  5. Identify scientific evidence that has been used to support or refute ideas or arguments.

Extended Writing Opportunities
Recount: Write to stall holders and explain your investigation into the insulating properties of a range of materials and make recommendations of materials to store hot drinks and ice cream.

Lesson Planning

Teaching

  • Plan and carry out an investigation on a range of papers that explores their strength.
  • Record and share investigation results in the form of a ‘paper presentation’.
  • Research the properties of materials used for making drinks bottles.

Activities

  1. Plan and set up an investigate into the strength of various papers.
  2. Select the best paper from a range of papers to make a take-out food bag.
  3. Research glass and plastic as bottle materials and identify key properties.
  4. Recommend a material for drinks bottles, based on a range of environmental and property based criteria.

Investigation - exploring/fair testing
Investigate possible food packaging materials.

Vocabulary
Opinion/fact, variables, accuracy, precision, bar chart

Session 4 Cleaning team challenge

Objectives

The cleaning team needs the best cloths in the business to keep on top of spills and mess. Can you make recommendations on the most absorbent and tough materials for the job?

Science Objectives
i) Give reasons, based on evidence from comparative and fair tests, for the particular uses of everyday materials, including metals, wood and plastic

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, classification keys, tables, scatter graphs, bar and line graphs.
  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.

You Will Need

Provided Resources

  • Cleaning rep marketing words,
  • Sticky-notes investigation materials
  • Images of gloves

Additional Resources

  • A range of cleaning cloths (different materials, including kitchen towel)
  • Measuring jugs
  • Electronic scales
  • Marbles
  • Water

Lesson Planning

Teaching

  • Plan and implement investigations to compare absorbency, strength and durability.
  • Record and share investigation findings using different graph forms.
  • Apply knowledge of fabric properties to suggest fitness for purpose.

Activities

  1. Plan and set up investigations to test a range of materials for their absorbency, strength and durability.
  2. Record and present findings in a suitable graph/table.
  3. Select the materials that are most suited to cleaning.
  4. Make suggestions for suitable materials based on experience/knowledge.

Investigation - exploring/fair testing
Investigate the absorbency of materials suitable for cleaning with.

Vocabulary
Opinion/fact, variables, accuracy, precision, degree of trust, scatter graphs, line graphs

Session 5 Electrical health and safety

Objectives

Electrical health and safety is always key at the Bestival Music Festival - recommendations are required for waterproof electrical insulating materials as well as those that will conduct electricity when breakages happen and emergency repairs are required. Can you investigate the best materials for the electrical H&S team?

Science Objectives
i) Compare and group together everyday materials on the basis of their properties, including their hardness, transparency, and conductivity (electrical and thermal).

ii) Give reasons, based on evidence from comparative and fair tests, for the particular uses of everyday materials, including metals, wood and plastic.

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, classification keys, tables, scatter graphs, bar and line graphs.
  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.

You Will Need

Provided Resources

  • Sticky-note investigation resources

Additional Resources

  • Items for initial set up (including salty water, pencil, metal spoon, metallic looking plastic, metallic card)
  • Materials to test out for conducting electricity (see table)


Weblinks
Simple circuit and conductivity game from www.sciencekids.co.nz

Lesson Planning

Teaching

  • Plan and implement an investigation into the electrical conductivity/insulation of materials.
  • Record and present investigation results in graphic form.
  • Make recommendations for materials based on fitness for purpose.
  • Compare thermal and electrical conductivity.

Activities

  1. Plan and set up an investigation looking at the electricity conducting properties of materials.
  2. Record and interpret data in graph form.
  3. Select the best materials for insulating wires from water, and for conducting electricity.
  4. Compare thermal and electrical conduction.

Investigation - exploring/pattern seeking/fair testing
Investigate electrical insulators/conductors for health and safety purposes.

Vocabulary
Opinion/fact, variables, accuracy, precision, degree of trust, scatter graphs, line graphs, causal relationships, support/refute

Session 6 Keeping the sound contained

Objectives

The management team want to offer free ear defenders for children coming to the festival. Can you test out a range of materials that combine comfort and style with soundproofing?

Science Objectives
i) Compare and group together everyday materials on the basis of their properties, including their hardness, transparency, and conductivity (electrical and thermal).

ii) Give reasons, based on evidence from comparative and fair tests, for the particular uses of everyday materials, including metals, wood and plastic.

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, classification keys, tables, scatter graphs, bar and line graphs.
  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
Design and Technology

  • Use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of functional products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups.
  • Select from and use a wider range of materials and components, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities.

Extended Writing Opportunities
Non-chronological writing: Create and write a report that identifies the best materials for ear defenders, based on your data and understanding of materials.

You Will Need

Provided Resources

  • Sticky-note investigation resources
  • I can questions

Additional Resources

  • Ear defenders
  • Sound meter or app
  • Materials for testing

Lesson Planning

Teaching

  • To plan and implement an investigation into the sound proofing properties of a range of materials.
  • To record and present data that identifies the best soundproofing materials.

Activities

  1. Plan and carry out an investigation into the sound proofing properties of various materials.
  2. Create and present a report that identifies the best materials for ear defenders based on data and general understanding of materials.

Investigation - exploring/fair testing
Investigate materials that combine soundproofing with comfort.

Vocabulary
Opinion/fact, variables, accuracy, precision, degree of trust, scatter graphs, support/refute