P-p-pick up a Penguin
Learning objective:
Control and
Monitoring
Lesson 4 of 7
I can………..
use temperature sensors to investigate insulation
PoS 2b
Sci 2f
QCA Unit: 5F
SFT
Overview
Lesson
Year 5
SFT
SFT
Integrating
Activity
Review
Lesson
Resources
Hardware you could use:
Ecolog
2 temperature probes per group
22 polystrene cups
Selection of materials for insulation
Software you could use:
Sensing Science Primary, Graph option
Support files:
Penguin experiment worksheet
Heat loss prevention experiment
Heat loss lesson plan
Penguin video
Setting the scene (5 mins)
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Share the learning objective with the class.
They are going to use the computer and data logger to investigate how effective insulation is.
Main Input (10 mins)
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Show the penguin video, ask the pupils why penguins huddle together.
Discuss the principles of insulation.
Explain that their task for today is to deduce why penguins huddle together using polystyrene cups,
hot water and temperature sensors.
Demonstrate how to use the graph option within the software to record temperature.
Demonstrate the experiment. What do the pupils think will happen? Why?
Activity – Integrated Task (25 mins)
•
Pupils work in groups of 3 or 4 and carry out the Penguin Experiment.
Review and recall (10 mins)
• Bring the class together and review the learning objective.
Key questions to ask and to display:
• Which cup of water stayed hottest for the longest period?
• Why was this?
• Watch the video again – why are the penguins moving around?
• Why aren’t they all moving around?
• Why did we use a computer to take readings and not a traditional thermometer?
Extension Activity
Pupils work in groups of 3 or 4 and carry out Heat Loss experiment. This is available as a separate lesson
plan.
Vocabulary:
Greenwich ICT Team
http://ictteam.greenwich.lgfl.net
Page 1 of 3
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Insulation
Greenwich ICT Team
http://ictteam.greenwich.lgfl.net
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In the Charts (continued)
Control and
Monitoring
Year 5
Teaching Points:
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Penguin experiment could be done as a whole class activity or in small controlled groups.
Health and safety option when using hot water.
Heat Loss Prevention experiment could be done as an alternative to the penguin experiment.
Check equipment and batteries before each experiment
Assessment Opportunities:
•
Explain why a computer device is used to monitor and record data rather than ‘traditional’ methods
What comes next:
• Predicting outcomes. 5f Lesson 5 – “See The Light”
Greenwich ICT Team
http://ictteam.greenwich.lgfl.net
Page 3 of 3