KS2 Science - What makes us burp and break wind?

This film is from the series Amazing Me available on BBC Teach.

What is a burp and a fart, and why do they smell?!

Presenter, Zoe Gamble is in class to lead an experiment with effervescent tablets to see the explosive effects of trying to contain carbon dioxide in a small space.

CGI graphics demonstrate how bacteria in our gut create gas.

Zoe explains how when we eat something, we often swallow gas along with the food, that can come out of the body as a burp.

The class deflate an enormous whoopee cushion by jumping on top of it.

Teacher Notes

Pupils could study bacteria and how there is good and bad bacteria.

Bad bacteria can harm the body and good bacteria can help us extract nutrients from our food. Look at how industry uses bacteria to break down waste material such as recycled food, and from sewerage to create power and electricity. Compare the systems to what’s happening within the human body.

Pupils could create a poster to illustrate how bacteria can create electricity.

Curriculum Notes

This short film will be relevant for teaching the topic of the human body at KS2 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and Second Level in Scotland.

The purpose of BBC’s content is to inform, educate and entertain. As such, students, teachers, schools, and other established educational bodies may utilise such content for educational purposes via an ERA Licence.

Without an ERA Licence, reasonable use of the content (for the purposes set out above) may still be possible, however; any such use must be in line with the BBC’s Terms of Use.
Whilst this is not an exhaustive list, when using and or sharing BBC Education content, you must comply with the BBC’s Terms of Use and where relevant, YouTube’s terms and conditions, ensuring that:

a) there aren’t any advertisements on or around the BBC content;
b) there aren’t any charges for access and or charges associated with the content (clearly stating that the content is free to
access); and
c) you do not state or imply (in any way) that there is a relationship and or any endorsement from the BBC to you.

We ask that you read the said terms before using any of BBC’s services. When you use BBC’s services and content, you’re agreeing to the BBC’s terms of use.