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 friction-powered spinning top 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 friction-powered spinning top from paddle pop sticks, an elastic band and a canister, winding it up and releasing it to spin on its own.
Learning outcomes
- Identify that objects can be made of one or more materials and describe their observable properties including hardness, texture and flexibility
- Sort and group materials by their properties and discuss why certain materials suit certain purposes
- Test a range of objects to determine whether they are magnetic
- Investigate whether magnetic force can pass through different materials placed between a magnet and a paper clip
- Test and rank a set of balls from bounciest to least bouncy and connect this to the material each is made from
- Test a range of materials for waterproofing and describe what happens when a non-waterproof material absorbs water
- Build a simple spinning machine and explain how the elastic band stores energy that is released when the machine is let go
Curriculum links
- VC2S2U04Core
Objects are made of materials that have observable properties able to be described using the senses. View on VCAA ↗
- VC2S2I04Core
Data and information can be sorted and ordered using provided tables and simple representations to reveal patterns. View on VCAA ↗
- VC2TDE2C01Related
Explain how technologies, including force and motion, affect the way products and systems move. View on VCAA ↗
- VC2TDE2C04Related
Identify how the characteristics and properties of materials and components affect the design of solutions. View on VCAA ↗
Often booked alongside
Chemical Sciences
Christmas SciTech
Students grow a crystal Christmas tree, mould a bouncy snowball, unmask mystery liquids with a colour-change indicator, make instant snow, launch Santa's sleigh and build a snowball catapult to take home.
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.
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.