Science - Ages 10-11

In our module on forces, I began our science lesson by saying very little and getting the pupils to watch the interactive whiteboard. I played them crash test videos through the Euro NCAP website (www.euroncap.com).

The class was instantly engaged and had loads of questions to ask and observations to make. This formed a good basis for discussing forces, based on a stimulating resource.

We had useful discussions about car and road safety, and what forces are used to protect us. This could also lead well into topics on road safety. Brake, the road safety charity, sends out free resources to schools on request (www.brake.org.uk).

I made sure I stressed that the footage was of crash tests and that these are carried out to make us safer.

Phillip Jach was on a placement at a primary school in Gateshead.