Inquiring Scientists in Milepost 1

Over the course of our latest IPC unit, The Magic Toymaker, children in Milepost 1 have been investigating various physical science processes related to toys (and other objects). First, they took on the role of Toy Inspectors, evaluating what forces (pushes, pulls and twists) were needed to operate them. Toys were also ranked in terms of how safe and enjoyable they were to play with.

Next, children investigated the absorbency of various materials, stimulated by an authentic context (cleaning up a spill on a teacher’s desk).

Lastly, they inquired into which surfaces around the school would offer the least resistance (friction) to a wooden toy car in order to help ‘Little Sam’, a fictional, left-out child, feel special.

These Science process skills were taught within a hands-on, authentic and child-centred context resulting in the valuable acquisition of skills and knowledge.