A composite (mixed age) class can provide an additional challenge when planning. Yvonne Templeton found that using linked TAPS activities could help to support children of different ages. For example, for a composite class of P1-3 (age 4-7), Yvonne combined TAPS Incy spider shelter and Waterproof activities to initiate all children to investigate waterproof materials.

She found that Primary 1s were able to independently choose materials, test and refine their design for an Incy shelter. Primary 2 and 3 were able to test a range of materials for waterproofness, with some P3s going further to identify why a material might be waterproof (holes vs no holes), which they explored with a digital microscope.

Colmonell and Ballantrae Primary Schools, South Ayrshire, Scotland