 |
This month’s blog is brought to you by Clare Docking, one of
our advisory teachers who works with industry and schools in the East of
England.
|
I love sharing this activity with our partner schools. children really enjoy getting stuck into cleaning
the stains off fabrics using different washing products whilst at the same time
improving their investigation skills.
The activity lends itself to being run with a small number of children
in a mixed aged classroom – something that is a reality for many teachers at
the moment. Children can also work
outdoors if the weather is fine.
Getting Ready
As the free resource explains, the only kit you will need is readily available household equipment. Asking children to bring small samples of different washing powder, liquid or gels from home will give you a selection to compare without any unnecessary shopping trips. You could also include the children in the preparation by working with them to produce the stained fabric ready to test.
 |
Full details of the
activity can be found in our free publication and
incudes teachers’ notes, children’s activity sheets and national curriculum
links.
|
Planning the investigation
I have found that the interactive planning tool is a great way for children to organise their
thoughts as they plan how they are going to carry out their investigation. If children haven’t used one before, work
with them to show them how they can use it to record all of the possible
variables and to decide what they are going to measure and what they are going
to keep the same. They may find this
easier to do if they have the opportunity to ‘have a play’ with the materials
first and therefore begin to formulate their ideas about which product they
think might be the most effective. They
can then decide how they can prove that their hypothesis is right! With this in mind, make sure that you have
plenty of spare stained cloths and washing product so that you still have
enough left when you begin the main investigation.
 |
Instead of using the
interactive planning tool you may choose to use the post-it planning template
which is provided with the resource.
This will be particularly useful if you are working outdoors.
|
Sharing results
In my experience children can be
just as engaged when it comes to sharing their results as they are when
carrying out the main activity. Two
approaches that I have seen used effectively are asking children to write to the
manufacturer to advise them of their findings and writing an advertisement extolling
the virtues of the most effective product.
I find that children love using phrases such as ‘Scientists found that
XXX was more effective at xxx than the brand leader’ knowing that they are the
scientists that carried out the test!
 |
Perhaps children
could shoot a TV commercial to explain to consumers why they think that they
should buy a particular product?
|
I usually round off the session with our PowerPoint presentation showing the children how the scientists at one
company have been able to produce a more environmentally friendly washing
product. It
protects fabrics from damage and prevents colours from fading during
washing. This will help children to
understand that science can help us to tackle environmental problems and that
science could be a worthwhile career choice for themselves in the future.
 |
Visit our IndusTRY AT HOME page to find a version of this activity that can
be shared directly with families
|
