MAKING SENSE OF THE PHYSICAL WORLD: LEVEL 5

ACHIEVEMENT OBJECTIVES

Students can

carry out simple practical investigations, with control of variables, into common physical phenomena, and relate their findings to scientific ideas, e.g., energy content of fuels, reflection/refraction, electromagnets, forces and motion, simple electrical circuits, wave motion;
describe various ways in which energy can be transformed and transferred in our everyday world, e.g., rockets, electric blankets, hair driers;
investigate and describe the patterns associated with physical phenomena ' some patterns may be expressed in graphical terms, e.g., links between voltages and currents in circuits, heat and temperature, forces and simple levers;
investigate how physical devices or systems can be used to perform specified functions, e.g., an arch to support a bridge, a moisture tester for house plants, light-emitting diodes as off/on indicators.

Students could be learning by:

investigating the factors which affect the strength of a simple electromagnet;
making a human shape from cardboard and using a plumb-line to find the position of its centre of gravity;
working as part of a group to construct a circuit which will use a relay to switch on an electric motor;
comparing the efficiency of cooking food with different sources of heat by graphing results of boiling water using gas and electricity;
making a survey of local energy sources and describing people's energy management of these resources;
describing the pattern of results formed from graphing the effects of applied forces on a spring;
investigating and reporting on the ways pulleys can be used to lift large weights;
researching and reporting on the effectiveness of traditional Māori methods of making fire;
using electrical meters to make measurements of voltage and current in series and parallel circuits, when wiring circuits to light a model house;
drawing ray diagrams to illustrate the reflection of light from plane and curved mirrors, when investigating the production of optical illusions using reflection of light;
determining the mechanical advantage of a wheelbarrow in lifting weights by measuring its relevant dimensions and the force of weight and effort in a typical load;
constructing a simple electronic circuit to be used as a moisture detector for household plants.

Teachers and students could assess the students':

ability to control variables in an investigation to determine magnetic strength, when the students construct electromagnets;
ability to identify the energy transformations occurring in a list of given situations, when the students write answers to test questions;
ability to collect and analyse data from a variety of sources, when the students present a report on local energy resources;
ability to draw a graph competently, when the students plot values of extension and load for a spring;
ability to relate a knowledge of chemistry to their design of a device, when they explain the operation of a moisture detector;
problem-solving ability, when the students design and construct alternative model bridge spans to carry a given load.