Long-term overview - Magnets and Forces - Year 3

In Year 3, students are introduced to the fundamental concept of 'force' within their science curriculum. A force is essentially a push or pull that can cause an object to move, change shape, or change direction. The curriculum delves into the specifics of friction, which is a force that opposes motion when two surfaces rub against each other. This resistance can affect how objects move on different surfaces, which is a key point of study. Students also explore the intriguing properties of magnets, which are materials that can attract certain metals and can either attract or repel other magnets.

The practical aspect of learning, known as Working Scientifically, involves students conducting experiments to observe how objects move on various surfaces and understanding how a simple pulley system can be used to lift objects. They learn to distinguish between forces that require contact, like friction, and those that do not, such as magnetism. Through fair testing, they compare materials based on the friction they produce. Additionally, students group materials into magnetic and non-magnetic categories, enhancing their ability to classify based on physical properties. This year's focus on forces builds upon prior knowledge from earlier stages and sets the foundation for more complex physics concepts, emphasizing the importance of friction, air and water resistance in understanding how forces affect the world around us.