Learning objective

  • To explore how pneumatic systems create movement within mechanisms.

Success criteria

  • I can define a mechanism as a system of parts working together to create movement.
  • I can recall that a pneumatic system can be used as part of a mechanism.
  • I can identify pneumatic systems in a range of everyday objects.
  • I can describe how a pneumatic system forces air over a distance to create movement.

Before the lesson

Watch
Watch
Activity: Exploring pneumatics (pre-cut, one between four).
Resource: Knowledge organiser: D&T - Pneumatic toys (support - see Adaptive teaching).
Resource: Unit vocabulary (optional - one class set for display).

Lesson plan

1: Recap and recall

Before starting this unit, ensure that the children can recall:

  • Mechanisms are a collection of moving parts that work together to cause movement.

2: Attention grabber

Optional: Provide each child with a copy of the Knowledge catcher (see link: Assessment—D&T Y3: Mechanical systems: Pneumatic toys) and ask them to complete it to the best of their ability. Explain that at the end of the unit, they will revisit it, adding more information in a different colour.

Organise the children into groups of four and hand out a tray of equipment for the Attention grabber challenges (see Have ready). Ask them to complete the following challenges without using their mouths.

Book challenge

Ask the children if lifting the book using the equipment but without touching it is possible. Offer the children the chance to choose a piece of equipment to put under the book to help with the challenge and guide them to choose either the balloon or the sandwich bag.

Allow them time to attempt to lift the book and take feedback. Demonstrate to the class what happens when the bag or balloon is inflated and deflated (see Teacher video: Exploring pneumatics).

Teabox challenge

Ask the children to think of a way of using the equipment to lift the lid of the box. Allow them time to use the equipment and take inspiration from the inflated balloon in the previous challenge. Referring to the Teacher video: Exploring Pneumatics, demonstrate a simple pneumatic system. Add further challenge by asking the children to raise and lower the lid of the box in a controlled way, allowing air to pass in and out of the balloon. Ensure that children are not doing this with air from their mouths.

Explain to the class that these are examples of pneumatic systems – they push air over a distance to create movement as a type of mechanism.

Question

  • How was air used to cause movement in the mechanisms just used? (The first used air to fill a balloon to push the book upwards; the second used air to fill a balloon to push on the lid; by removing the air, the balloon deflated and was no longer pushing on the lid so it came back down again.)

Vicki Risianova

Design and technology specialist

Image Specialists 9
After 4 years of being a TV and radio presenter, Vicki headed to the secondary classroom where she spent 12 years teaching Design and Technology as well as PE. Working as a subject leader, she ran D&T tournaments and weekly clubs to get…
Find out more
Image Specialists 9

Maintained by: Kapow Primary team

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