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Which is the strongest paper?

Science Year 2
This unit is part of Year 2 Science Squash, Bend, Twist, Stretch

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Objectives

Explore a selection of paper and predict the strongest one. Test the papers using weights and record the results.

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

  1. Ask simple questions and recognise that they can be answered in different ways.
  2. Observe closely, using simple equipment.
  3. Perform simple tests.
  4. Identify and classify.
  5. Use their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions.
  6. Gather and record data to help answer questions.

You Will Need

Provided Resources

  • What's my Material? cards
  • ‘The paper I have chosen’ sheet

Additional Resources

  • A selection of different sorts of paper (sugar paper, backing paper, wrapping paper, printer paper, tracing paper, tissue paper)
  • Scissors
  • Hole punch
  • Paper clip
  • 100g weights
  • Freezer bags

Weblinks
Teacher background information on the strongest paper from www.newscientist.com

Lesson Planning

Teaching

  • Be challenged to find the strongest paper to wrap a present.
  • Understand that paper varies in strength and think of a way to test the strength of different papers.
  • Plan, make predictions, and carry out an investigation.

Activities

  1. Investigate paper strength, working in groups and recording their findings.
  2. Predict the outcome of the investigation and produce a simple bar chart or annotated drawings of the results.

Investigation - fair testing, problem solving
Be challenged to find the strongest paper to wrap a present. Collect sheets of different types of paper and make them the same size. Make a hole in each sheet and hang a weight from it, adding weights until the paper tears. Record the results.

Vocabulary
Strong, tear, rip, weight, grams, bar chart, results, material, properties

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