The activity I would chose to do in the classroom is that of Rockets.
Engage
To introduce the topic I would use a story such as the ‘The way back home’ or Aliens in underpants save the world’. A video or a rocket being launched would also be very effective as it appeals to the visual learners and would create great discussion afterwards.
Once the children are excited about the idea of Rockets they can make some rockets ( linkage with Art )and start exploring how they work. I would get the class to make Rocket mice.
How can you make your Rocket mouse fly-Prediction, what materials might we need/, working in groups together. Gather the materials you will need- an empty plastic bottle, sticky tape ,some decorations, Rocket mouse templete.
When cutting out the templete maybe I would buddy up older children with younger children to help with the cutting and construction. Two classes could be working together on the project
Place the Rocket Mouse on top of the bottles- Prediction will the rockets fly?
You could go to the school hall to carry out the experiment. Did it work?
Investigation
What made the Rockets fly? Did they stay up in the air? What made them come down again?
If you did the experiment in a different setting-eg outside did it work? Was it better? You could vary your standing positions/launch Rocket while sitting/ kneeling –which worked best/ why?
Try the experiment with different sized bottles. Which worked best? which were not so effective? Which ones made your mouse go higher?
Results- squeezing a bottle increases the pressure inside and this is wat pushes the Rocket
Taking the next step
Can children consider how the fins of a Rocket are similar to fins on darts or arrows in archery
Look at things that fly through the air