This half term, Year 2 are being chemists with our learning about materials. Here’s the key vocabulary we are using in this science learning.

Today, we had a note from Nothing (who spent time with us in Year 1). He needed our help to see what material would be the most suitable for a tent so he could go camping with his family.


First of all, we had to think about what properties are the most important.
It needs to be waterproof so that Nothing stays dry inside.
The tent needs to be strong so it doesn’t blow away.
It doesn’t want to be transparent.
Here are the stages of our investigation. We used lots of science skills and our focus for today was carrying out a simple test and recording our results.





Then, it was time to carry out our test. We used some great Living and Learning skills in our groups too including turn taking, helping others and resilience.

Finally, we used our results to answer the original question, ‘Is the material waterproof?’ and to make a conclusion.
The foil and the plastic were waterproof because they didn’t let the water in and no water was absorbed.
The fabric and the paper were not waterproof because they let water in. The water soaked in.
We think plastic would be the most suitable material for the tent because it is waterproof and it is also strong.
Wow, Year 2 – you have been fantastic scientists and Nothing will be so pleased with your testing to find the most suitable material for his tent.