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Topic: 4E Friction
NASA the US space agency has failed to free the Spirit rover from its Martian sand trap. The vehicle became stuck in soft soil in May 2008. The situation was made worse when two of the six wheels failed and without the additional traction it seems unlikely that the rover can escape.
In this activity children will learn about friction and consider how vehicles move on different surfaces. They will use their scientific knowledge to suggest how the rover might be moved.
You will need Acrobat
Reader installed to open the activity sheets.
You will also need the latest version of the flash player to be able to play swf files.
· to describe methods of increasing friction
Children will demonstrate this by completing the task on page 2 successfully.
· to describe situations in which frictional forces are helpful as well as those in which frictional forces resist motion
Children will demonstrate this by completing the task on page 3 successfully.
· to carry out a fair test
Children will demonstrate this by completing the task on page 3 successfully.
· to explain their results orally or in writing
Children will demonstrate this by completing the task on page 3 successfully.
Science:
QCA Unit 4E: Friction
· that the force between two moving surfaces in contact is called friction
· that friction can be useful
Scientific enquiry
· deciding what evidence should be collected when planning and carrying out a fair test
· making measurements using a forcemeter
· looking for patterns in results, interpreting and suggesting explanations for these
Introducing the activity
· Display Page 1 of the activity through a data projector or on an OHT. Ask the children what they think is happening. Tell them the story of Spirit.
Discussion starters:
- Why is Spirit on Mars?
- What happened to Spirit?
- What will happen now?
Leading the main activity
· Display Page 2 through a data projector or on an OHT. Discuss with the children what they see.
Discussion starters:
- What is happening here?
- Are these situations the same?
- What are the people doing to help?
- Why are they doing this?
- Will it work?
- Would it work on Mars?
· Display Page 3 through a data projector or on an OHT. Print off copies for the children as appropriate. This page encourages the children to carry out practical work to determine the effect of friction on movement. Link the real life problem with the knowledge the children have gained from carrying out the practical work described above. How can they help the scientists move the Spirit? They need to increase the friction so the vehicle can move forward or backwards. Allow them to use the sand trays to try out their ideas. Encourage them to explain their ideas using as much technical vocabulary as possible.
BBC Science Clips
A lesson on friction including a work sheet to identify high and low friction. There is also online activity involving investigating surfaces and a quiz.
Mars program
Information about Spirit and Opportunity
Woodlands Junior School
This website has an excellent selection of online games based on friction and also other types of forces.
Science Kids
A fantastic site for all types of science. It has quizzes, video clips, experiments, online lessons.
Write
your online review to share your feedback and classroom tips with other teachers. How well does it work, how engaging is it, how did you use it, and how could it be improved?
