This Kapow pupil video is part of the Kapow Science scheme of work. In this activity, you will explore what happens when you change the shape of a material by stretching, twisting, bending, and squashing it. Try stretching it – does it stay in its new shape, or does it spring back? Twist it – can it be untwisted easily? Bend it – does it keep the bend or return to its original shape? Squash it right down – does it bounce back or stay flat?

As you test, be careful not to break the material. You can repeat the actions to see if the results stay the same. By comparing how different materials react to stretching, twisting, bending, and squashing, you can discover which ones are flexible, which are rigid, and which might break if you change their shape too much.

The video is designed to be shown to pupils as part of Science, Key stage 1, Year 2, Materials: Uses of everyday materials, Lesson 3: Stretch it, twist it, bend it, squash it!