Beginner
30 mins
Teacher/Student led
+65 XP
Teacher-led from the board — pupils need no device

Waterproof or Not

Explore different materials to discover which ones keep water out and which let it through. Make guesses, test with water drops, and sort your results to learn about waterproof properties.

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    1 - Getting Started ~2 mins

    Waterproof coat with rain beading on it, the real subject of the lessonIt rains a lot in Ireland. When you wear a coat in the rain, do you stay dry inside, or do you get wet?

    What do you think the coat is made of that helps keep the rain out?

    2 - Look and Wonder ~2 mins

    The four dry test materials children will guess aboutLook at our four dry squares: fabric, paper, foil and plastic.

    Which ones do you guess will keep the water out? Show me thumbs up if you guess it will keep water out. Show me thumbs down if you guess water will go through.

    3 - Watch Me Drip ~3 mins

    The three-step testing method in order: guess, drip, lookWatch how we test. First we guess. Then we drip a little water. Then we look: does the water stay on top, or go through?

    4 - Drip and Find Out ~10 mins

    How to drip one drop onto the middle of a squareAt your tray, take turns. Choose one dry square. Say your guess first. Drip a little water on the middle. Watch. Does the water stay on top, or go through?

    Try each square. Wipe tiny spills with your towel.

    5 - What Did We Notice? ~2 mins

    Tested squares: water beading on some, soaking into othersLook at your wet squares. Which ones kept the water on top? Which ones got wet and let water through?

    Tell your group one thing you noticed.

    Pupil practice · Investigation Journal
    Module 2 · Materials: Naming, Properties and Changing Materials
    Lesson 12 · Waterproof or Not
    Download Investigation Journal sheet (PDF)
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