New
New
Year 5

Aerodynamics

I can adapt a design to make it more effective.

New
New
Year 5

Aerodynamics

I can adapt a design to make it more effective.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The body of a vehicle is the outer shell which sits on the chassis.
  2. Aerodynamics reduce drag and fuel consumption.
  3. Car designers test and consider the chassis and body for best performance.
  4. A car body design needs to be shaped to consider aerodynamics.

Keywords

  • Aerodynamics - the way air moves around an object

  • Body - the main structure of a vehicle built on to a chassis

  • Performance - how well something works

  • Drag - air pushing against a moving object

Common misconception

The shape of a vehicle has no effect on its speed.

Vehicle shape is considered in order to reduce air resistance (less drag).


To help you plan your year 5 design and technology lesson on: Aerodynamics, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Pupils will need access to the electrical circuit on the chassis. It is recommended that the back of the vehicle is left open for access.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Please see 'Additional Material' document for a list of tools and resources needed for this lesson.

Content guidance

  • 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

Loading...

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Pushes and pulls are .
Correct Answer: forces
Q2.
can change an object's speed, direction, and/or shape.
Correct Answer: forces
Q3.
Which of these are a type of force?
jump
Correct answer: pull
Correct answer: push
dive
Q4.
Which types of forces occur when objects are touching each other?
Correct answer: contact forces
non-contact forces
Q5.
What is the type of force that acts between two surfaces trying to move across each other?
magnetism
Correct answer: friction
twists
gravity
Q6.
What is one reason a pulley might not turn properly?
it's colourful
Correct answer: the belt is too tight or too loose
the motor is too shiny

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
The force caused by air moving against the surface of an object is .
Correct Answer: air resistance, drag
Q2.
Match the keywords with their meanings.
Correct Answer:aerodynamics,how air flows around an object

how air flows around an object

Correct Answer:vehicle body,outer shell of the vehicle

outer shell of the vehicle

Correct Answer:drag,air pushing against a moving object

air pushing against a moving object

Correct Answer:performance,how well something works

how well something works

Q3.
helps reduce air resistance and make cars move more smoothly.
Correct Answer: aerodynamics
Q4.
Put the steps in order for designing a car for performance.
1 - design the car body shape
2 - test the design
3 - improve the shape based on testing
4 - build the final version

Additional material

Download additional material