Year 1
How the world works
An inquiry into how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and the environment.
Central idea: The application of scientific principles leads to efficient use of energy.
Key concepts
- Form
- Function
- Causation
Learner profile
- Thinkers
- Inquirers
- Risk-takers
Lines of inquiry
- The understanding of forces and energies
- Practical use of forces and energies
- Efficient use of energy
Provocation: Year 1 were set a challenge! In small groups, students were provided with a selection of everyday materials and had to use the materials to create something that moved. They had to plan and label a design; collaborate in a group; demonstrate and explain the materials they used; and demonstrate how their creation moved.
Questacon: All of Year 1 participated in an excursion to Questacon to enhance their understanding of the six scientific principles and how the world works. The students enjoyed exploring all the hands-on displays, watching the colour show, creating rockets and some even enjoyed the challenge of braving the big drop slide!
We investigated the six scientific principles through a series of mini lessons where we researched and recorded our ideas. We also looked at examples of simple machines and organised them based on their scientific principles.
We engaged in the scientific process to design and create a range of games. These included; marble run, straw roller-coaster, foosball tables, paper planes, catapults and the Archimede’s Screw.
Lastly, we explored our school playground, the inside of our school, the kitchen garden and our classrooms in search of practical uses of the six scientific principles. We discovered that our school is full of examples of levers (to open doors and turn on taps), incline planes (ramps and slides), screws (they are everywhere holding everything together), wedge (bike racks and the parallel bars we love to slide and swing down, wheel and axle (the wheelie bins and the teachers desk chairs) and pulley (classroom blinds). We also worked hard to try to explain how each of these six scientific principles make our lives easier and are an efficient use of energy.
