Wider Curriculum Y3 Autumn 1
How Can Data Help Us Understand the World Around Us?
Big Question:
Push or Pull? What’s the greatest force?
Overview
This term, Year 3 will explore forces and magnets and how they affect movement. Children will investigate friction, magnetic poles, and the properties of materials. They will apply this knowledge to design and make a magnet-powered car as a sustainable alternative to petrol and diesel vehicles.
What Will Children Learn?
- Science:
- Compare how things move on different surfaces.
- Understand friction and magnetic forces.
- Explore how magnets attract and repel.
- Design & Technology:
- Design and make a functional car prototype.
- Learn about wheels, axles, and chassis construction.
- Maths:
- Collect and interpret data using tables and bar charts.
Key Experiences
✅ Wheels Day – testing friction on different surfaces
✅ Investigating magnetic poles and forces
✅ Designing and building a magnet-powered car
Why This Matters
This project links science and engineering to real-world sustainability issues, encouraging children to think about alternative energy sources and innovative design.
How You Can Support at Home
- Talk about magnets and where they are used in everyday life.
- Discuss how friction affects movement (e.g., riding a bike on grass vs pavement).
- Encourage creative thinking about sustainable transport.
The Final Outcome
By the end of the term, children will:
- Understand forces and magnets.
- Design and build a magnet-powered car.
- Use data to evaluate their design
