ACTIVITIES

The activity ideas contain experiments and activities based on fifteen curriculum-linked learning topics - five link to the theme of 'Energy', five to 'Forces' and five to 'Materials'. These are designed to put the knowledge and information that the children have gained through the slide presentations into practical use, in order to consolidate the learning.

These are specifically designed to encourage 'hands on' learning. Before teaching any activity, we recommend you check the content against your school's health and safety policy (e.g. for using heat or food substances). Make sure you talk through health and safety issues with your class before you start and make certain that the children do not have any allergies to the materials used.

The activity ideas provide basic 'how to' guidance for the practical activities and are designed for use by teachers who may be busy or less confident with science and for parents with little subject knowledge. However, any of the School Power resources can be used with as much flexibility as is desired. Ideas are given as a stimulus for the children to be able to explore a more experimental learning route, if preferred.

Below is a summary of the activity content for each learning topic. Click on the topic to go to the downloadable presentation and activity idea.

ENERGY

1. Fossil Fuels - exploring how oil is obtained
2. Renewables - creating mini windmills and watermills
3. Electricity - investigating static electricity and making electrical steady hand games
4. Fuel for the Body - exploring food batteries and identifying different foods from their taste and smell *
5. Power of our Senses - exploring the senses through optical illusions, 'slime' and musical straw pipes

FORCES

1. Pushes and Pulls - exploring how gravity and air pressure can get things moving
2. Gravity - engaging in several activities to explore centre of gravity
3. Friction - exploring friction and air resistance
4. Magnets - making electromagnets and compasses
5. Floating and Sinking - investigating what makes some objects float and others sink

MATERIALS

1. Grouping and Classifying - examining the properties of different materials
2. Solids, Liquids and Gases - creating gas from vinegar and baking powder, and considering the size of atoms *
3. Mixtures - investigating how different colours can be separated and how water can be filtered
4. Reversible and Non-reversible - investigating which combinations of mixtures are reversible, and creating simple plastic *
5. Insulators and Conductors - investigating which materials are the best insulators and conductors *

* indicates activities where more care must be taken, due to the use of heat or the possibility of allergic reactions.