Wider Curriculum Autumn 1

How Can Data Help Us Understand the World Around Us?

Big Question:
How can we reduce the rate of evaporation in a bird bath?

Overview

This term, Year 4 will explore states of matter, the water cycle, and how temperature affects solids, liquids, and gases. Children will apply this scientific knowledge to design and create a bird bath that reduces evaporation. They will also develop skills in art (clay sculpture), design technology, and geography.

What Will Children Learn?

• Science:
  • Compare and group materials as solids, liquids, or gases.
  • Investigate how temperature changes states of matter.
  • Understand evaporation and condensation in the water cycle.
• Art:
  • Develop clay modelling techniques (coiling, joining, smoothing).
  • Create a 3D sculpture using clay.
• Design & Technology:
  • Design and make a functional product based on a design brief.
  • Evaluate prototypes and refine designs.
• Geography:
  • Understand the water cycle and how climate change impacts it.

Key Experiences

✅ Hands-on science investigations into freezing, melting, evaporation, and condensation.
✅ Designing and creating clay prototypes of bird baths.
✅ Testing prototypes for effectiveness and refining designs.
✅ Exploring global issues like water scarcity and climate change.

Why This Matters

This project combines science, art, and design to solve a real-world problem. It helps children understand sustainability and develop practical skills while encouraging creativity and critical thinking.

How You Can Support at Home

• Talk about the water cycle and where children see evaporation and condensation in daily life (e.g., boiling kettle, bathroom mirrors).
• Explore local wildlife and discuss why birds need access to water.
• Encourage creative design ideas and discuss how shape might affect evaporation

The Final Outcome

By the end of the term, children will:

• Design and make a bird bath using clay.
• Test and evaluate their product against the design brief.
• Understand how science and design can work together to solve environmental challenges.