Why Does ‘Matter’ Matter? Year 5s Ask the Big Questions
It started with a tray of syrup, sponges, balloons and wood, everyday objects and materials that sparked not-so-everyday thinking.
Our Year 5 students launched into their new science inquiry, Why does ‘matter’ matter?, through a hands-on exploration of the world around them. To kick things off, the girls observed a variety of objects and images, using the See, Think, Wonder strategy to slow down, notice details, and begin thinking like scientists.
The See, Think, Wonder strategy encourages students to make careful observations, thoughtful interpretations, and curious inquiries about what they see.
Next came sketchnoting – a creative mix of doodles and ideas. The girls were asked to think about:
- What objects around you are solids, liquids, or gases?
- How do these states behave differently?
- Why do we need all three states of matter?
- How does matter help with everyday things like food, clothes, shelter, travel and play?
- What would life be like without one of them?
- How can we use materials responsibly — for people and the planet?
Let’s just say, the ideas came thick and fast.
In Their Own Words
Stella: “Having explored the tray full of different states of matter, the salt and other solids led me to think about some other small solids like flour or corn starch. I started to wonder about what state flour would fit into…is it solid?”
Elsie: “I noticed that some liquids like syrup, water and oil move at different speeds, so syrup would move the slowest and water would move the fastest.”
Celina: “I was wondering what makes gas different from the others and thought how do I know if gas is even there. So, I came up with the question, ‘Can different gases come in colours making it easier to see?’”
Hannah: “My curiosity got me thinking about whether there was matter that didn’t fit into solids, liquids or gases and whether there were more categories? I wondered what form lightening would be?”
These reflections show our students thinking deeply, creatively and critically – all key elements of our Connecting Learning to Life framework. They are developing curiosity, critical thinking and stewardship.
Real-World Learning
This inquiry is about exploring how matter shapes our lives – in food, clothing, shelter, travel and play – and how we can use materials responsibly to care for each other and the planet.
The best part? The learning is just getting started. As our Year 5s continue their exploration, we can not wait to see what new ideas bubble to the surface.
- connectinglearningtolife, CuriosityInEducation, Featured, HandsOnLearning, PrimarySchool, RealWorldLearning, SantaMariaCollege, ScienceEnquiry, StatesOfMatter, StudentLearning, StudentVoice, SustainabilityEducation, Year5Science
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
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