Testing the Best Materials for a Pipe

Australian Curriculum (v9.0) content descriptions:

Year 5 & 6 Design and Technologies:

Students learn to:

select and use suitable materials, components, tools, equipment and techniques to safely make designed solutions (AC9TDE6P03).

General capabilities: Literacy, Critical and Creative Thinking.

Syllabus outcomes: ST3-2DP-T, ST3-3DP-T.

Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability.

Relevant parts of Year 5 & 6 Design and Technology achievement standards:

Students explain how people design products to meet the needs of communities, including sustainability. Students select and justify design ideas and solutions against design criteria that include sustainability.

This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:

• creativity
• critical thinking
• collaboration

UN SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation

Target 6.2: By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.

UN SDG 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.

• A length of PVC pipe
• Device to read or share online articles (could be done as a class or in groups)
• Devices or paper to make a rubric
• Materials for making pipes such as clay, fabric, wire, rope, wood, cardboard, etc.
• Space to test pipes with water

Level of teacher scaffolding: High - facilitate class discussion and oversee group tasks.

Special thanks to:

Plastics Industry Pipe Association of Australia (PIPA) is a non-profit association that is committed to future-focused leadership. Through research, education, technical expertise and advocacy, they help advance the use of plastic pipes and fittings as a smart, efficient and sustainable solution.

Visualise Data in the Primary Classroom

Quick summary: In this hands-on course, you will build your ability to use infographics as a learning tool in your curriculum. You’ll discover how to understand infographics and create your own.