Chemical Sciences
Wonderful World of Materials
Students sort and test everyday objects for magnetism, bounciness and waterproofing, discover that magnetic force passes through barriers, and build a simple machine from paddle pop sticks and elastic bands.
Foundation–2
90 min
up to 30 students
$490 + GST
What students will do
Students begin by sorting a tub of objects using property cards (rough, smooth, soft, hard, flexible, stiff), then flip the cards to sort by material type instead. They test which objects from a mixed box are attracted to a magnet, then use a hovering paper clip apparatus to explore whether magnetic force can pass through paper, plastic, fabric and other materials. A bounciness test ranks a set of balls made from different materials, followed by a waterproof test using a dropper bottle on materials stretched over cups. The session closes with students individually building a simple catapult from paddle pop sticks, elastic bands and a cannister.
Curriculum outcomes
Victorian Curriculum v2.0 content descriptions addressed in this session.
- VC2S2U04
Identify that objects can be made of one or more materials and describe their observable properties including hardness, texture and flexibility
- VC2S2U04
Test materials for specific properties including magnetism, elasticity and waterproofing, and compare results across different materials
Sort and group materials by their properties and discuss why certain materials are better suited to certain purposes
Often booked alongside
Physical Sciences
How Objects Move
Students roll differently shaped objects, race a balloon-powered car, drop parachutes, launch foam pump rockets, and test what sinks or floats, exploring how pushes and pulls drive every outcome.
Physical Sciences
Light & Sound
Students sort materials as transparent, translucent or opaque, feel vibrations with tuning forks, build a box guitar to explore pitch, and create shadows with a torch.
Chemical Sciences
Reactive Chemistry
Students investigate reversible and irreversible chemical change through real reactions: a polymer reversal, a sealed reaction bag and a teacher-led Elephant's Toothpaste demonstration.
Bring Wonderful World of Materials to your school
Tell us your year levels and preferred dates. We'll confirm availability and bring everything with us.
Limited dates each term — one facilitator, one school per day.