Push / Pull Unit - Science

We wrapped up the science push / pull unit today by reviewing what we'd been doing and filling out a summary sheet on forces.

Here's what we covered:

This Push / Pull unit provides the opportunity for students to explore pushes and pulls. Through investigations, students observe and gather evidence about how these forces act in air and water, and on the ground. Students identify the effect of the pull of gravity and learn that both air and water can ‘push’.

1. Water, water everywhere
a. Push air-filled objects (balls) under water to experience the push of water
b. Feel the difference between a heavy object suspended in air and then in water

2. What sinks? What floats?

a. Make observations about objects that sink or float in water and record findings
a) big & light – empty plastic bottle
b) small & light – paper clip, elastic band, cork, bottle top
c) big & heavy – rock, plastic bottle filled with water, metal tool
d) small & heavy – sinker, nuts & bolts, plasticine ball
b. Identify ways to change an object that sinks into one that floats
c. Recognise that the shape of an object influences whether it will sink or float
a) Sailing the High Seas experiment – see how the shape of objects helps them float (501 Science Experiments – 369)

3. Floating on air
a. Explain that air pushes up against falling objects
b. Explain that gravity pulls things down
c. Recognise the shape and orientation of an object can influence how it falls
a) Which Parachute? How do different materials affect air resistance? (501 Science Experiments – 365)
b) Magic Floating Objects experiments – show how an object travels in the air (501 Science Experiments – 390)