Plastic is a material which is made from crude oil and can be moulded into different shapes.

If something is degradable, it can be broken down into the simple parts that made it.

A bioplastic is a plastic made from materials which come from sustainable sources such as plants.

To observe is to look very closely and use other senses too.

Bioplastics (non-statutory Climate Change & Sustainability)

Science

Properties of materials

Uses of everyday materials

Thermal insulators: plan

Thermal insulators: do and review

Everyday uses of thermal insulators

Insulating our homes and schools (non-statutory Climate Change & Sustainability)

Soluble and insoluble

Recovering insoluble solids

Providing safe drinking water (non-statutory Climate Change & Sustainability)

Separating soluble solids from solutions

Removing salt from seawater (non-statutory)

Reversible changes of state

More reversible changes

Burning: an irreversible change

Burning plants as fuel (non-statutory Climate Change & Sustainability)

Greenhouse gases (non-statutory Climate Change & Sustainability)

Rusting: an irreversible change

More irreversible changes

How scientists work

In this Properties, changes and separating materials unit, pupils learn to decide how mixtures might be separated, including through filtering, sieving and evaporating. In the Materials challenge unit, they will build on this knowledge to apply their understanding of separating materials to a wider range of everyday situations

In the Everyday materials unit, pupils learnt to compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of their simple physical properties. In this Properties, changes and separating materials, pupils will build on this knowledge to compare an group together everyday materials on the basis of a wider variety of properties

This unit explores the properties of everyday materials, including hardness, solubility, and conductivity. It covers reversible changes like dissolving and mixing, and irreversible changes such as burning. Emphasis is on scientific enquiries, data recording, and presenting findings with evidence.

Properties, changes and separating materials

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

How long does it take for plastic to decompose?

They are quickly broken down by micro-organisms.

They cause problems in our seas and on our land, for animals including humans.

What is the impact of discarded plastics?

Who has discovered ways to make bioplastics or biodegradable plastics?

by observing traditional plastics over time

How could scientists find out how long it takes bioplastics to decompose?

Which of these can you make bioplastics from?

Which of the toys in the images are made from plastic?

Which of these materials woud it be best to make tyres for a car from?

Which of these materials would be best to make a water bottle from?

Which of these materials are suitable to make a greenhouse?

{{}} is a greenhouse gas released when fossil fuels are burned. It is used by plants and exhaled by humans.

Starter Quiz

Which of these are materials?