The boys in Year 5 have loved our ‘How the World Works’ unit and it is very rewarding to see them so interested and engaged.

Central Idea:

An understanding of scientific principles creates opportunities for responsible design.

Lines of Inquiry:

• Exploration of scientific principles and processes
• Opportunities for responsible design
• Application of scientific principles

Here are a few of their comments when asked to complete the sentence –

Science is……

… the reason behind how things work (Alex)

… the knowledge of the Earth’s beginning and end (Will)

… exciting and fun (Morgan)

… trying to figure out how to make a break through or cure for something, …… to build for the future (Christian)

… a discovery (Daniel)

We began the unit with a paper aeroplane competition, which opened up interesting discussions about physics and how modifications are an important part of scientific processes – PYP Concepts of CAUSATION and CHANGE.

This has been followed by lots of scientific experiments and learning how to use scientific language and conventions. There have been plenty of opportunities to develop informative reading and writing skills and the boys are showing lots of improvements in this area.

They are currently conducting their own personal inquiries into a wide range of interesting topics e.g.

How can we harness tidal energy?

How does addiction affect our physical and mental health?

How can we responsibly use radioactive substances?

The causes of different types of chemical reactions

Can we build a drone that will go beyond the Earth’s atmosphere?

Can different designs prevent plane crashes?

How can we use science and engineering to implement change concerning global warming?

A large focus of the unit has been the importance of responsible design – PYP Concept of RESPONSIBILITY.  We have been using our very own Newington design thinking cycle to support the boys’ learning and next term they will have the opportunity to design and make a solution to a real world problem that they observe in their own worlds (could be school, home or even wider afield)….. lots of fun in store!!!

This whole unit has been a very valuable learning experience for the boys and the skills they are refining will most certainly help to prepare them for next year’s PYP Exhibition.

Pascal, Christina and the Year 5 boys