This task is designed to assess how well students understand:

• Using the formula for the volume of a cone
• Converting between measurements

For this task, a tree trunk is thought of as being approximated by a cone. Students are given the formula for a cone, and the dimensions of a...

This video looks at the different grades of steel used in the frame design of a Brompton bicycle, typically steel tube and steel sheet. Designers consider several criteria when choosing materials for a folding bicycle, including strength, weight...

The Material from North East Schools sub-collection contains material produced by primary school teachers in the North East of England who were part of a primary science focus group based at the Science Learning Centre North East and led by Rosemary Feasey. This group inspired and guided the development of the...

This resource introduces sustainability and how life on Earth depends upon our environment for resources such as food, water, and raw materials. Pupils learn about the materials life cycle, where raw materials come from, how to reduce waste and how raw materials may be used and recycled. The activities encourage...

The Young Scientist Investigates topic book on Materials was first published in 1984 and gives information, illustrated by full colour photographs and drawings, about the origin and properties of materials used in everyday life. It is intended for children aged 8-11 to...

This Nuffield Pathways Through Science module covered solutions and a variety of systems in which one material is finely dispersed in another (colloids) as well as the properties and uses of glass, ceramics, metals and polymers. The module provided opportunities to...

This Nuffield Primary Science book consists of 11 colourful, and highly illustrated, double-page spreads aimed at students aged 7-9. The book ends with a glossary and index.

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A collection of resources from the SYCD Primary CD investigating states of matter and the properties of materials. The major resources are: *Investigating ice - an investigation into melting ice developed across three age groups, 5-7 years, 7-9 years and 9-11 years. *Baking bread - a colour photograph of bread...

This resource, aimed at primary learners, provides several activity sheets which support the teaching of everyday materials and their uses. The sheets, which could be used in class or for homework, look at identifying materials common objects are made from and discussing their uses, natural and manufactured...

Produced by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), these naked Scientist podcasts look at materials science questions in an accessible and informative way.

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This Nuffield Primary Science Teachers’ Guide for teaching the Materials topic, to students aged 7-12, is divided into five chapters:

*Chapter 1: Introduction - covering useful strategies, the SPACE approach and links to the National Curriculum

*Chapter 2: Planning - using the resources to plan topics...

This activity asks students to plan and carry out an investigation to test the suitability of materials to absorb or insulate sound and to identify what other variables need to be considered when choosing a material to use in a building. Students also consider whether a...

Students consider how materials need to be tested for their suitability for a specific job before engineers in construction projects can choose them. The tasks will ask the students to think about what properties need to be considered, how these might be scientifically...

This Catalyst article investigates carefully designed polymer materials that can repair themselves when mechanically damaged. The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2015, Volume 26, Issue 2.

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