New draft Experiences and Outcomes
within Planet Earth - Sustainability  

Rubbish           Useful websites            Problem Solving - Modifying a Y-copter

Draft Outcomes

I have investigated materials around me and I can sort them for reuse or recycling. SCN 001A
Through my experience of different materials, which I use, I can talk about the need to conserve the Earth’s resources at home and in school and what I can do to help. SCN 101A

Rubbish!

Much of what we throw away can be returned to the Earth to provide nutrients for the soil rather than going into a landfill along with non-biodegradable materials. Record what your class throws away for a few weeks by collecting, weighing, and categorising them as recyclable, reusable, biodegradable, or rubbish. How much of what we throw away could be recycled or is biodegradable?

Bottle-top bugs

Reuse plastic bottles into bird feeders or sports bottle tops into colourful beasties (see above)

Health and safety - Adult help/supervision is essential for making holes into plastic bottles - risk of puncture injuries.

Useful websites

Your team of flight engineers will make and test a Y-copter and then modify the existing technology and test their new models. Use scraps of paper or card.

Follow the pattern (right) (25 cm x 5 cm) and, using scissors where indicated, fold as shown. Cuts are made on the solid lines, folds on the dotted lines. Paper clips can be used on the bottom instead of folding the paper. Using a stopwatch, time how long the team can keep the Y-copter in the air. Now change ONE variable. Discuss with the team what that could be. Remember controls and repeated trials.

Write up a report that will include:

• The problem on which the test is based

• The solution to the problem, including the relationship between the variable chosen to change and the dependent variable (flight time)

• Detail outline of steps followed

• Observations presented in a table or graph

• A conclusion based on the data collected.

Planet Earth - Biodiversity