:Rusty Tools
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Approach: One to one Level: Year 4 and year 8
Focus:   Rust/corrosion 
Resources:  Garden shears, picture
1.2Mb

Questions/instructions:

In this activity you will be thinking about why some things go rusty.
Here is a pair of garden shears.

Hand out garden shears.


% responses
y4
y8
1. What parts of the shears could go rusty?
said metal parts (only)
41
41
identified blades
61
61
identified bolt and nut
37
57
identified spring
25
37
identified clip
23
30
did not identify plastic handles
93
95
2. What parts probably won’t go rusty?
said parts not made out of metal/steel/iron
7
9
identified plastic handles
89
92
identified clip
4
5
identified spring
16
11
3. Why won’t the handles go rusty?
made of plastic (which doesn’t rust)
76
88
Here is a picture of a rusty lawn mower.

Show picture.
4. What has made this lawn mower go rusty?
it is made of metal (which can rust)

3
7
effect of moisture
54
79
effect of air/oxygen (in combination with moisture)
3
7
explicitly mentioned chemical reaction
0
4
5. How could the owner stop the lawn mower from going rusty?
keep it dry (under cover)
53
76
clean it after use
24
32
keep it well painted/sealed/oiled
16
20
6. How would your idea stop the lawn mower from going rusty?
keep moisture away from bare metal
30
54
Total score:



11–15
2
11
9–10
14
29
7–8
35
40
5–6
35
16
0–4
14
4
Commentary:
Explanations for rust and rust prevention were focussed on moisture. About 25 percent more year 8 than year 4 students scored more than 8. 
 
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