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Lesson 2 of 8
  • Year 3

Pneumatic systems

I can use air to create movement in prototypes.

Lesson 2 of 8
New
New
  • Year 3

Pneumatic systems

I can use air to create movement in prototypes.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Balloons and plastic bottles can be linked to make a pneumatic system.
  2. Syringes and plastic tubing can be linked to make a pneumatic system.
  3. Different pneumatic systems can create different movements.
  4. Different pneumatic systems can create moving animals.

Keywords

  • Pneumatic system - a mechanism that uses moving air to make things happen

  • Input - something put into a system

  • Output - something that comes out of a system

Common misconception

Pneumatic systems always cause something to expland or inflate.

Pneumatic systems can cause directed movement of an object without inflation.


To help you plan your year 3 design and technology lesson on: Pneumatic systems, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Be aware of pupils with latex allergies if usng latex balloons.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Per pair (or small group): clean plastic bottle (washing up/sports bottles with nozzles work best), a 30 cm length of 4/5 mm tubing, a balloon (regular rounded shapes work best).

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - may contain allergens
  • Risk assessment required - equipment

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What word do we use to describe the invisible mix of gases all around us that we breathe?

Correct Answer: air

Q2.
Which word is used to describe an object getting bigger as it fills with air?

An image in a quiz
deflating
Correct answer: inflating
shrinking
moving

Q3.
Why does a balloon expand when it is filled with air?

An image in a quiz
Correct answer: it is made from a stretchy material
it is made from a solid material
it is made from a smooth material
it is made from a rough material

Q4.
What would happen to a balloon if too much air was forced inside?

Correct Answer: It would pop., It would pop., It would explode., pop, explode

Q5.
What makes these objects move?

An image in a quiz
air from a pump
air from our lungs
Correct answer: moving air (wind)
water

Q6.
Match the product to the way it uses air.

Correct Answer:wind chime,moving air makes parts bang together

moving air makes parts bang together

Correct Answer:trumpet,air is forced inside to make sound

air is forced inside to make sound

Correct Answer:bicycle tyre,air is forced inside to inflate it

air is forced inside to inflate it

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
When air is forced inside a balloon it ...

deflates.
Correct answer: inflates.
stays the same.
shrinks.

Q2.
Which word is used to describe a system that uses air to work?

automatic
Correct answer: pneumatic
dramatic
mathematic

Q3.
Which part of this simple pneumatic system is the output?

An image in a quiz
bottle
tube
Correct answer: balloon
sticky tape

Q4.
What is this device used for?

An image in a quiz
to create one output
Correct answer: to create two outputs
to create three outputs
to create four outputs