In this activity children consider the features of a bike made for these conditions and what materials might be used and why.
Description
Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton became the first person to use a bike on part of an expedition to reach the South Pole. It was a journey of 500 miles (805km) across Antarctica and she cycled for large parts of it, as well as snow-kiting and walking. This trek was for Sport Relief. In January/February the average temperature in Antarctica is -25C, but can drop to -50C. Severe coastal winds come from cold air flowing down off the interior ice sheet. Wind speeds can reach up to 125mph (201km/h) and average about 80mph.
Children will consider the features of a bike made for these conditions and what materials might be used and why.
Learning Objective:
- that different materials have different functions
Children will learn:
- that different materials behave differently in the same conditions.
- how new materials have been developed over time and that these can be more effective than those used originally
These resources were initially developed in partnership with the Centre for Science Education, Sheffield Hallam University.
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