Key Stage 2 (Years 5 & 6)

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FANTASTIC FORCES

 

 

Children use K'nex construction kits to investigate Levers Pulleys and Gears. The operation of each mechanism is demonstrated and examples are given of how these are used in familiar objects.  Children then experiment with their own mechanisms  to gain a practical understanding  of how they work and how they can be used. Finally time is given for children to design their own fanastic machines using some or all of the mechanisms they used.

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This a new workshop developed in response to  feedback from Teachers who have had difficulty with the teaching of this topic.

 

Curriculum Links

 

• Forces - Explain that unsupported objects fall towards the Earth because of the force of gravity acting between the Earth and the falling object

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• Forces  - Identify the effects of air resistance, water resistance and friction, that act between moving surfaces

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•  Forces - Recognise that some mechanisms including levers, pulleys and gears allow a smaller force to have a greater effect