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Year 5

Design and development of machines

I can describe how scientists and engineers collaborate, communicate, challenge each other's ideas and problem-solve together.

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New
New
Year 5

Design and development of machines

I can describe how scientists and engineers collaborate, communicate, challenge each other's ideas and problem-solve together.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Scientists share their test results and conclusions with engineers to help in the design of new products.
  2. Good quality communication is needed to make sure new problems don't arise.
  3. Scientists and engineers understand their role in a project to make sure it runs smoothly.
  4. Teams are resilient and think of solutions to problems they find.

Common misconception

Engineers only design buildings or fix things that are broken.

A range of examples of how and where engineers work will be given.

Keywords

  • Collaborate - When you collaborate with someone, it means that you work with them.

  • Communicate - To communicate is to share your ideas and plans through writing or talking and could include using photographs, charts, diagrams and videos.

  • Challenge - A challenge is something difficult that requires effort to do or overcome.

  • Problem-solving - Problem-solving is working to find solutions to problems.

  • Resilient - If you are resilient, you are able to cope with challenges without giving up.

Children will learn about how scientists and engineers work together and will develop the skills required for a successful collaboration.
Teacher tip

Equipment

None essential but children may explore force meters, levers and masses to help them plan an investigation.

Content guidance

  • Exploration of objects

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Simple machines are designed by engineers. Why do people use machines?
they make factories look up to date
Correct answer: they make is easier to perform tasks
they are enjoyable to work with
Q2.
What is the main role of an engineer?
to grow crops and raise animals
to sell products for a company
Correct answer: to design solutions and help solve problems
to organise meetings and other events
Q3.
Engineers design and create new processes or machines that have not been used before. What are these called?
An image in a quiz
levers
projects
pulleys
Correct answer: inventions
Q4.
Ancient Egyptian engineers used inclined planes to help build the pyramids. What do inclined planes help people to do?
An image in a quiz
join materials together
Correct answer: raise the height of a load without lifting
split materials
lift loads using a wheel and rope
Q5.
Match the skills that an engineer might have to the examples.
Correct Answer:being curious,I wonder why some insects are red.

I wonder why some insects are red.

Correct Answer:being observant,I’ve noticed that the birds don’t eat red insects.

I’ve noticed that the birds don’t eat red insects.

Correct Answer:being creative,I could design a red scarecrow to keep birds away.

I could design a red scarecrow to keep birds away.

Q6.
An engineer is including gears in their design. Which of these gear systems will make the output turning force slower and stronger than the input?
Correct answer: 1. the small gear is turned as the input
2. the large gear is turned as the input

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What does “collaborate” mean?
to work in competition with someone
to do someone’s work for them
to check someone does their work
Correct answer: to work together with someone
Q2.
Match the skills engineers and scientists need for a project to be successful.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:communication,sharing ideas and plans through writing, diagrams photos or talking

sharing ideas and plans through writing, diagrams photos or talking

Correct Answer:problem-solving,overcoming events or issues that make a project hard to complete

overcoming events or issues that make a project hard to complete

Correct Answer:resilience,coping with challenges without giving up

coping with challenges without giving up

Q3.
Which part of scientists' tests are likely to be most useful to engineers?
their predictions
their methods
Correct answer: their results and conclusions
Q4.
When scientists and engineers collaborate, what could help a project run smoothly?
each team working in separate buildings
each team having different colour t-shirts
Correct answer: each team understanding their roles
Q5.
Match the job title to the example task.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:scientist,test different materials that could be used to build bridges

test different materials that could be used to build bridges

Correct Answer:engineer,design and build machines used to collect samples

design and build machines used to collect samples

Q6.
If you are you are able to cope with challenges without giving up.
Correct Answer: resilient

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