You Will Need
Provided Resources
- Investigating fabrics resource
Additional Resources
- Sticky notes
- A selection of fabrics
- Pipettes
- Beakers of water
- Wax crayons
Weblinks
Instructions from Nikwax on waterproofing a book cover from www.nikwax.com
Waterproofing materials
Science Year 2
This unit is part of
Year 2 Science Materials Matter
Objectives
Explore different fabrics and investigate how waterproof they are using a dropper of water. How can we make the fabrics waterproof? Colour them in with wax crayon and repeat the investigation!
Science Objectives
i) Identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper and cardboard for particular uses.
ii) Find out how the shapes of solid objects made from some materials can be changed by squashing, bending, twisting and stretching.
Working Scientifically
- Ask simple questions and recognise that they can be answered in different ways.
- Observe closely, using simple equipment.
- Perform simple tests.
- Identify and classify.
- Use observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions.
- Gather and record data to help in answering questions.
Lesson Planning
Teaching
- Discuss waterproof materials and their uses.
- Investigate the absorbency of fabrics.
- Consider the question: How can we make the fabric waterproof?
- Discuss findings and suggest explanations.
Activities
- Understand that, if a material does not absorb water, it is said to be waterproof.
- Investigate the absorbency of fabrics and the effect of adding a layer of wax crayon.
- Discuss the findings and consider the reasons for fabrics being waterproof.
Investigation - pattern seeking, problem solving
Investigate the absorbency of fabrics by stretching them over a jar to make them taut and using a dropper to drop water onto the cloth. Observe and measure the number of drops and the time they stay on the cloth before being absorbed.
Vocabulary
Material, properties, absorbency, waterproof, strong