Penguins have been getting hands-on with science this week as part of their materials topic. The young investigators explored the concept of hardness by testing a variety of everyday materials to determine which were the most resistant to scratching.

Using a nail, the children worked in small groups to test materials including plastic, metal, and glass. They recorded their observations, compared results, and discussed why some materials are better suited for specific uses based on their hardness.

The activity links directly to the Year 5 science curriculum, which focusses on comparing and grouping materials based on their properties, including hardness, transparency, and conductivity. Pupils also learnt how material properties influence design choices in everyday objects.