Children 6-8 years

AMBER’s resources for 6 – 8 years old focuses on how we, as scientists, investigate materials properties by taking inspiration from the plants and animals around us to make better materials for our everyday use. This process is called biomimicry and can be gently introduced to young learners by having them learn about plants and animals and investigate specific properties of nature and materials.

This programme focuses on integration of science lessons with literacy, drama, and design and make; developing children’s skills in working scientifically, while also meeting literacy and drama objectives. The modules provide teachers with a framework to build a narrative with young learners, with the express objective of developing oral language skills, cooperation, art, design, and STEM learning.

Module 2: Theme Colour and light in the day and night [6 – 8 yrs old]

This module considers the effects of light on reflective and nonreflective surfaces and investigates the idea of seeing at night versus during the day. Students are introduced to the concept of daytime and night time animals and learns about the Common rustic moth and European common blue butterfly. Characteristics of these animals associated with nanostructures that materials scientists are investigating will be examined.

Each module contains three lessons, with each lesson building from the experiences in the previous lesson. The key experiences assocated with each lesson are: Building Understanding through scientific inquiry; Building Empathy through drama and story telling and Building Ideas – design and make.

Teachers guide