STEM Projects - Year 4

Project

Biological sciences

4

Predator and prey game TASK: Design a board game based on Snakes and ladders, using animals that are predators and prey instead.

CRITERIA:

SUGGESTED MATERIALS: • cardboard • drawing supplies

• printouts of internet • The board should be no larger than 40 cm x 40 cm. images ©‘snakes’ R. I .

C. ub l i cat i ons • The predators will act as the inP the game.

•f orr evin i ethe wp ur posesonl y• • The prey will act as the ‘ladders’ game.

• You may use images of animals found on the internet, or you may choose to draw them instead.

BOX 4 STEM (Biological Sciences) project cards (YEAR 4) 8/11.indd 9

R.I.C. Publications® — www.ricpublications.com.au

8/11/2017 1:23 pm

Biological sciences

Project

4

Predator and prey game • Research animals that are considered predators and those that are prey. You will also need to find out how the game Snakes and ladders works.

• Plan and draw a sketch of how the board will look, what animals you will include, and where they will be drawn on the board.

• Collect the materials you will including cardboard, © need, R. I .

C .Publ i cat i onsdrawing supplies and printouts of internet images if appropriate.

•f orr evi ew pur posesonl y•

• Create the board to look like your sketch.

• Check that the board game meets the criteria.

• Give a presentation to the class explaining the chosen animals, and then allowing others to play your game.

STEM (Biological Sciences) project cards (YEAR 4) 8/11.indd 10

8/11/2017 1:23 pm

Chemical sciences

Project

6

Mini parachute TASK: Create a parachute for a small toy figurine.

CRITERIA:

SUGGESTED MATERIALS: • various test materials such as tissue paper, fabric • The figurine should be approximately scraps, newspaper, 10 cm or smaller. © R. I .

C.Publ i cat i ons cellophane, feathers • The aim is to make the landing • timer as soft and slow as possible.

•f orr evi ew pur posesonl y• • toy figurine • Make three parachutes from different materials to test.

BOX 4 STEM (Chemical Science) Project cards (YEAR 4) 8/11.indd 13

R.I.C. Publications® — www.ricpublications.com.au

8/11/2017 1:32 pm

Chemical sciences

Project

6

Mini parachute • Research the design of parachutes and what materials are used to make them.

• Draw a diagram of what your parachute will look like and plan which three materials you will test.

• Collect the materials you will need, including any that you predict will create a soft, slow landing, a toy figurine© and timer.

Ra. I .

C.Publ i cat i ons • Create the three parachutes to look likep your plan.

•f orr ev i ew ur p osesonl y• • Check that the parachutes meet the criteria.

• Give a presentation explaining the design of your parachute and which material you discovered worked the best.

STEM (Chemical Science) Project cards (YEAR 4) 8/11.indd 14

8/11/2017 1:32 pm

Earth and space sciences

Project

2

Volcano village TASK: Design and create a volcano village to show the effects of lava flow on surrounding areas.

SUGGESTED MATERIALS: • plastic tray • plastic modelling clay CRITERIA: • lava: vinegar, bicarbonate soda, • The volcano must be made from playdough and have a hole in the middle for the© ‘lava’.

R. I .

C.Publ i cat i ons food colouring, drops • The surrounding landscape be made from any •f orcan r ev i e w pu r po sesonl yof •dishwashing liquid • digital video recorder classroom materials available, or from actual plants. or iPad® • The village should be no more than 40 cm x 40 cm.

• The base of the village should be something that doesn’t absorb water, like a plastic tray.

• The lava ingredients should be added after the model is completed and a video recorded of what happens.

BOX 4 STEM )Earth and Space Sciences) project cards (Year 4) 8/11.indd 5

R.I.C. Publications® — www.ricpublications.com.au

8/11/2017 1:38 pm

Earth and space sciences

Project

2

Volcano village • Find out about the structure of a volcano and the effects of a volcano erupting.

Research how vinegar and bicarbonate soda interact to recreate a lava flow.

• Draw a plan of what your volcano village will look like.

• Collect the materials you will need, including plastic modelling clay, vinegar, bicarbonate soda, food colouring, dishwashing liquid, a plastic tray and any © R. I .

C.Publ i cat i ons materials to create a miniature village landscape surrounding your volcano.

•f orr evi ew pur posesonl y•

• Create the volcano village to look like your plan.

• Check that the volcano village meets the criteria.

• Present your video to the class, explaining how it shows the effects of lava on the surrounding landscape.

STEM )Earth and Space Sciences) project cards (Year 4) 8/11.indd 6

8/11/2017 1:38 pm

Physical sciences

Project

1

Magnet maze TASK: Design and create a maze to move a metal object through using a magnet.

SUGGESTED MATERIALS: • sturdy cardboard • coloured tape or narrow masking tape CRITERIA: • magnet • The maze should be made from cardboard and be no larger than 40 cm x 40 cm.© R. I .

C.Publ i cat i ons • magnetic object • The lines of the maze• should be marked tape. f orr ev i ew pwith ur p osesonl y • • cardboard tubes • A magnetic object should be selected, to move • plastic bottles around the maze. This may determine what the maze is designed around; e.g. a metal car would suit a racetrack maze.

• The maze should be raised above the ground to allow the magnet to be used on the underside of the cardboard.

BOX 4 STEM (Physical Sciences) project cards (YEAR 4) 8/11.indd 3

R.I.C. Publications® — www.ricpublications.com.au

8/11/2017 1:43 pm

Physical sciences

Project

1

Magnet maze • Research magnetic forces and how they can work through materials.

• Draw a plan of the maze layout and design a theme you will decorate the cardboard with. You will also need to design a structure that the maze board will be placed on.

• Collect the materials you will need, including cardboard, tape, a magnet, a magnetic object and cardboard tubes bottles. ©orRplastic .

I .

C.P ubl i cat i ons • Create the maze and• supporting structure look like your plan. f orr evi ew puto r p ose so nl y • • Check that the maze meets the criteria.

• Give a demonstration of how your maze works and conduct a rotation to allow others to have a go moving the object through the maze.

STEM (Physical Sciences) project cards (YEAR 4) 8/11.indd 4

8/11/2017 1:43 pm