- Science
Mission Objectives
Understand how gears work and their purpose
Create a set of interacting gears
Analyse patterns in the workings of gears
Enquiry Approach - Problem-solving
Applying prior scientific knowledge to solve problems and answer further questions.
Enquiry Skill - Observing and measuring
Using the senses and taking measurements, using a range of equipment, to make observations about a scientific enquiry.
Words and meanings to learn
gear
a toothed wheel that engages with at least one other gear in order to change the speed or direction of motion
mesh
to connect, interlock or engage with
mechanism
a set of moving parts (like gears, levers, wheels) working together to make something happen
clockwise
moving in the same direction as the hands of a clock
anticlockwise
moving in the opposite direction as the hands on a clock
Sarah is a former headteacher and charity CEO who founded Developing Experts in October 2015 with the goal to create a fit-for-purpose curriculum for schools. The company has created a science curriculum for children ages 4-16 which is delivered through sequenced lessons mapped against the National Curriculum in biology, chemistry, and physics. Developing Expert's innovative approach to learning has already been road-tested and voted 'best EdTech product in Europe', winning Tech Nation’s Rising Stars earlier in 2019 and a place on Google for Startups Immersion program 2020. In 2022 Developing Experts won the BETT Awards for Best Classroom Resource - Teaching Aid. Sarah is a 'LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leader' 2022. In October 2022 Developing Experts joined Tech Nation's Upscale 8.0 programme.
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Sarah was awarded an MBE for her services to tech and education in 2020.
Clare is an experienced primary school teacher, having worked across both Key Stage 1 and Early Years. Before joining Developing Experts, Clare worked as a Quality Assurance Inspector for a childcare agency, following OFSTED's inspection criteria. Clare is passionate about education and ensuring children's learning is exciting and fun!
In her spare time, Clare is also a mother of two very active children and lots of animals! She enjoys a variety of sports and loves the outdoors!
Emma has spent the past 12 years teaching in primary schools, where she has led history and played a key role in shaping curriculum development across her academy trust. With a passion for designing lessons that are lively, meaningful, and rooted in real-life context, she is dedicated to making learning something children remember and enjoy.
Her curriculum leadership has supported schools through successful Ofsted inspections, but her greatest motivation comes from helping pupils develop a love of learning and supporting them to make connections between the past, present, and the wider world.
In her spare time, Emma loves travelling the world and exploring new places -there is always another castle to discover!
Resources: Strong cardboard, lolly sticks, paper straws, sellotape, thin dowel/cocktail sticks, plasticine, sticky tape, glue, and scissors.
Core Handout (2): A planning sheet so children are able to design their gear system and then predict the direction the gears will turn. The handout also asks a question for children to explain their results.
Stretch Handout (3): A planning sheet so children are able to design their gear system and then predict the direction and speed the gears will turn. The handout also asks questions for children to explain their results.
Challenge Handout (4): A selection of example gears for the children to calculate the speed the gears will turn using the number of teeth that are labelled.
Expert film
Mission assignment film
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