Year 5 Science: Forces and Gravity Extension Task

Extension task resource for Year 5 Science: Martian descent forces. Calculate parachute surface area to balance mass and air resistance. National Curriculum aligned.
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What’s Included
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• Teacher Guide: Facilitation and support notes on introducing fluid resistance and terminal velocity concepts to high-ability learners.
• The Mission Briefing: A professional scenario for the Ares-V Colony requiring aeronautical engineering to land medical supplies on Mars.
• Martian Physics Table: A structured framework for pupils to investigate the non-linear relationship between pod mass and parachute surface area.
• Ares-V Commander Report: A formal conclusion task where students synthesise their findings on atmospheric resistance into a professional report.

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How to Use It
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1. Before writing, Display: The Mission Briefing. Immerse gifted and talented learners in the aeronautical engineer role to establish a professional purpose for the task.
2. During the lesson, Deploy: The Martian Physics Table. Guide students to calculate surface area per gram to identify the relationship between variables in low-density environments.
3. As a plenary, Assign: The Ares-V Commander Report. Challenge pupils to explain why mass and air resistance do not always scale 1:1, promoting disciplinary oracy.

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Curriculum Coverage
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• KS2 National Curriculum — Science (Year 5): Deepen substantive knowledge of the effects of gravity and air resistance through a professional aeronautical lens.
• Working Scientifically (Key Stage 2): Master attainment targets for the control of variables and data interpretation by calculating ratios and predicting descent speeds.

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File Includes
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Editable Word document (.docx) included.