To launch our new topic of pneumatic systems, we had lots of fun launching our stomp rocket outside in the playground. We then discussed exactly what we thought a pneumatic system was. 

We then came back into the classroom and discussed how most car tyres are called pneumatic and what compressed air is. We discussed whether all machines work using electricity and how machines used to work before electricity was discovered. Our task then was to experiment making our own pneumatic system using plastic tubing and two syringes. We had lots of fun and were amazed when the syringe plungers moved as we pushed the air through the plastic tubing.

We then started to think about our own toy. We were given the following design brief:

'To design a pneumatic toy for year one pupils to help them understand that air can be used to create motion.' 

From this, we then devised our own design criteria. Our toy must be:

• Colourful