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Sound

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Unit Summary

This unit ‘Sound’ takes children through six lessons where they learn how to: identify how sounds are made, associating some of them with something vibrating; recognise that vibrations from sounds travel through a medium to the ear; find patterns between the pitch of a sound and features of the object that produced it; find patterns between the volume of a sound and the strength of the vibrations that produced it; and finally, recognise that sounds get fainter as the distance from the sound source increases.

The lessons have been written in sequence and are designed to challenge children to recall the knowledge and skills they have covered in the previous lesson(s). Although during year 1 children have covered the topic of senses which includes hearing, this is the first time children have explored the topic of sound.

During this unit you will hear from the following industry experts from the Ministry of Defence:

          Name:                                     Job Title:

1.       Sebastian                                Naval Architect

2.      Travis                                       Change Controller

3.      Philip                                        Nuclear Engineer

4.      Ross                                         Delivery Partner Manager

5.      Cliona                                      Nuclear Engineer Apprentice

This unit has been written by

Clare Faulkner

Clare is an experienced primary school teacher, having worked across both Key Stage 1 and Early Years. Before joining Developing Experts, Clare worked as a Quality Assurance Inspector for a childcare agency, following OFSTED's inspection criteria. Clare is passionate about education and ensuring children's learning is exciting and fun!

In her spare time, Clare is also a mother of two very active children and lots of animals! She enjoys a variety of sports and loves the outdoors!

Katie Barrie


Katie is the Chief Operating Officer at DE, which means she oversees HR, finance and our business model. After studying Drama at Exeter University, Katie spent three years as a primary teacher, before relocating to Norfolk and joining Developing Experts. 

In her spare time, Katie likes to sing with Norwich Harmony barbershop chorus and has recently formed a quartet. Katie loves cooking and spending time with her husband, Bryan and dog, Bertie. She has an endearing laugh, which has to be heard to be believed. Many of us see Katie as the office 'Mum', she gives great hugs and keeps our spirits up.  

Contact: [email protected]  

Sarah Mintey MBE

Sarah is a former headteacher and charity CEO who founded Developing Experts in October 2015 with the goal to create a fit-for-purpose curriculum for schools. The company has created a science curriculum for children ages 4-16 which is delivered through sequenced lessons mapped against the National Curriculum in biology, chemistry, and physics. Developing Expert's innovative approach to learning has already been road-tested and voted 'best EdTech product in Europe', winning Tech Nation’s Rising Stars earlier in 2019 and a place on Google for Startups Immersion program 2020. In 2022 Developing Experts won the BETT Awards for Best Classroom Resource - Teaching Aid. Sarah is a 'LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leader' 2022. In October 2022 Developing Experts joined Tech Nation's Upscale 8.0 programme.

Sarah is delighted to be working with over 6500 UK schools and clients such as the Royal Horticulture Society, Network Rail, Rolls Royce, BEIS, National Nuclear Labs, Anglian Water and the Ministry of Defence.

Sarah was awarded an MBE for her services to tech and education in 2020. 

Enquiry Approach - Identifying, grouping & classifying

Using observations, data and findings to name, label and organise items in a variety of ways.

Enquiry Skill - Interpreting and communicating results

Using information, results and data to present findings, including oral and written explanations.

Enquiry Approach - Problem-solving

Applying prior scientific knowledge to solve problems and answer further questions.

Enquiry Skill - Setting up tests

Carefully following a method and using equipment accurately to carry out a scientific enquiry. The method may be designed by teachers or children themselves.

Enquiry Approach - Pattern-seeking

Identifying patterns and looking for relationships to make links between scientific concepts.

Enquiry Skill - Recording data, results and findings

Using tables, a variety of graphs, labelled diagrams and models to record observations, measurements, results and findings.

Enquiry Approach - Pattern-seeking

Identifying patterns and looking for relationships to make links between scientific concepts.

Enquiry Skill - Evaluating

Assessing the success of a scientific enquiry by evaluating the prediction, method and results and identifying further questions for enquiry.

Enquiry Approach - Comparative / fair testing

Conducting a test that controls all but one variable to answer a scientific question.

Enquiry Skill - Setting up tests

Carefully following a method and using equipment accurately to carry out a scientific enquiry. The method may be designed by teachers or children themselves.

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