Glass bottles

Bringing Back Glass

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Animals, Biodiversity & Habitats, Energy, Evolution & Inheritance, Light, Plants, Properties & Uses of Materials, Rocks, Fossils and Soils, Sound, States of Matter

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Outdoor Learning, Practical Science, Science Enquiry, Scientific Literacy, STEM

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3-5, 5-7, 7-9, 9-12

A set of activities to help children explore the importance of glass in everyday lives, for scientific experimentation, problem-solving and in technology.

Celebrating the United Nations International Year of Glass 2022, by ‘bringing back glass into the primary classroom’, the Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT) is delighted to be working with The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers of London to share this resource with primary science educators.

In the Activity Booklet will find 15 activities designed to support delivery of engaging science lessons that enable Early Years and primary school children (from 3-11 years) to explore the properties, uses and benefits of glass and to engage in meaningful and relevant investigative science. Using easy to source materials, many activities are also suited to use in themed science days, science weeks, or for science or STEM club activities.

All the activities have been written by PSTT College Fellows.

Guidance & curricula links

Information for teachers using this resource

Download the Activity Booklet to see all fifteen activities.

Possible learning outcomes for each activity have been linked to the UK primary curricula so that educators can see where an activity might fit into their planning. Download UK Curricula Links.

Some common misconceptions that may become apparent when undertaking activities suggested in the resource are outlined. Download Common Misconceptions and Background Science.

Cover

Activity Booklet

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Bringing back glass page

UK Curricula Links

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Page

Common Misconceptions

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We hope that this resource will help teachers to inspire future generations of young scientists. After all, we are only limited by our imaginations!

Leigh Baildham, Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers of London

Glass

Activities

Window

Properties & Uses of Materials

Investigating Windows

Practical Science, Science Enquiry, Scientific Literacy, STEM | 7-9, 9-12

four birds eating seeds from a bird feeder

Animals, Biodiversity & Habitats, Evolution & Inheritance

Feed the Birds

Outdoor Learning, Practical Science, Science Enquiry, Scientific Literacy, STEM | 5-7, 7-9, 9-12

Ice being melted under a lamp light

Properties & Uses of Materials

Arctic Ice

Practical Science, Science Enquiry, Scientific Literacy, STEM | 5-7, 7-9, 9-12

Model lung

Animals

Making a Model Lung

Practical Science, Science Enquiry, Scientific Literacy, STEM | 9-12

Man extinguishing fire with a fire extinguisher

Properties & Uses of Materials

Fire Fighting

Practical Science, Science Enquiry, Scientific Literacy, STEM | 9-12

Thermometer pictured against wooden slabs

Properties & Uses of Materials, States of Matter

Make your own Thermometer

Practical Science, Science Enquiry, Scientific Literacy, STEM | 7-9, 9-12

A water jug half filled and a mason jar with illustrations of the water cycle

States of Matter

Water Cycle in a Jar

Practical Science, Science Enquiry, Scientific Literacy, STEM | 7-9, 9-12

A pile of soil, water, washing up liquid and a jar

Rocks, Fossils and Soils

Soil Profiling

Practical Science, Science Enquiry, Scientific Literacy, STEM | 7-9, 9-12

A person looking into a jar through a magnifying glass

Light

Make your own Microscope

Practical Science, Science Enquiry, Scientific Literacy, STEM | 9-12

Plants sprouting in a jar with a glass lid

Plants, Properties & Uses of Materials

Plant Germination & Growth

Practical Science, Science Enquiry, Scientific Literacy, STEM | 7-9, 9-12

Glasses in a line filled with different amounts of liquid and a tea spoon

Energy, Sound

Making Music

Practical Science, Science Enquiry, Scientific Literacy, STEM | 5-7, 7-9, 9-12

A girl holding a mirror showing her reflection

Energy, Light

Mirror Images

Practical Science, Science Enquiry, Scientific Literacy, STEM | 9-12