Material World – Mixtures
The Science Learning Hub has many resources for primary teachers related to mixtures in the Material World strand of the New Zealand Curriculum.
Help, I’m teaching chemistry
Learning about the Material World involves studying matter and how it changes. Understanding basic chemistry principles helps us to make sense of the world around us. It also helps us understand contemporary issues such as environmental sustainability and the development of new materials, pharmaceuticals and energy sources.
Watch this video to find out how to locate Hub resources that will help you plan and implement engaging classroom programmes.
Related PLD
The Science Learning Hub has a range of recorded webinars to support you with your chemistry teaching. Have a look at these recorded webinars:
Mixtures is another topic that is frequently explored by primary teachers. Making non-Newtonian liquids such as ooblek and flubber is lots of fun. Think outside the square and make silage.
Below is a list of links to Hub resources.
Chemicals everywhere – article
Oobleck versus flubber – article
Danger – quicksand! – activity
Making model alloys – activity
Strength of sand and cement mixes – activity
Walking on custard – teacher resource
The properties of honey – activity
What is silage? – article
Making your own silage – activity
Chemistry in the primary classroom – webinar
Science provides a really amazing way to make a difference and to add value to New Zealand.
Dr Susie Wood
Oobleck
Oobleck – a cornflour and water mixture named after a substance in a Dr Seuss book – initially behaves like a liquid or a jelly. However, when you squeeze it in your hand, it behaves like a solid for a short time. It becomes more viscous when agitated or compressed and belongs to a subset of non-Newtonian fluids called dilatants. When a force is applied to a dilatant, its viscosity increases.
