Subject Coordinator - Miss S Nichols

Primary science should be one of those lessons every child looks forward to! Science is fun! Science is exciting!  

Children are born as curious learners and exposing them to science doesn’t have to be an arduous and formal process. As a teacher, a science coordinator, and a parent of a young primary child myself, I am constantly looking for ways to inspire children, who want to learn more about their world. The reality is that children naturally want to know about the world they exist in anyway, you just need to provide them the opportunity! Given this, here’s just some of the ways we introduce them to the wonders of science here at Mablethorpe Primary Academy… 

Starting from our youngest pupils in Nursery to our adventurous little adults in Year 6, we encourage them all to- Ask why? Ask how? Ask questions as many times as possible! This teaches children to question the world around them and find out why things actually work. Even things that are seemingly mundane to you are worth exploring eg. how do plants grow or what makes a car move or how does a plane fly? The more children look at cause and effect, make predictions and see results of changing the more they learn to think logically and appreciate what is happening around them. 

Every lesson, we work scientifically using a range of scientific disciplinary skills. We run simple science experiments using a range of different enquiry types with materials from our local area. You don’t always need fancy materials and a lot of the science experiments we’ve collated here are very inexpensive but still provide the best outcomes and conclusions to answering our enquiry questions!  

Read science books at an appropriate level. We are less concerned about their age and more concerned about what they can understand. Science is separate to English and Maths and there should be no barriers in the way to think and work like a scientist! 

Taking children on day trips and educational visits to experience science first hand is a MUST in our school. We have visited museums, farms, aquariums, national parks, forests and had multiple visitors into our academy that have included dentists, Dr’s, STEM Ambassadors and more! First hand experiences are SO important and valuable to the way children link and remember knowledge within their long-term memories. It also inspires pupils to set their vision on future career paths and job choices.  

Of course, it doesn’t matter if your child never enters a career that directly is related to science or STEM. What does matter and what is extremely important to us as a school is that your child grows up to appreciate the world around them, knows how the discoveries that have been made make their lives better and understands why the research scientists and engineers conduct daily is so important. I strongly believe by imparting scientific literacy to children, will give them every chance to understand the implications of policy decisions, to discern the truth vs. hyperbole in tabloid news articles and be able to come to rational conclusions on what is happening in and around their lives. 

Teaching children to take a moment to stop and look carefully at what is going on is important; this way they won’t miss the little things and they’ll have the skills plus the wisdom to find out more about areas where need more knowledge. In short, we strive that they will lead more informed, more enriched lives which will lead them to a successful, yet appreciative of the world around them, and bright futures with everlasting fond memories of their primary science lessons! 

 

Subject Intent Statements:

Science

Children will increase their knowledge and understanding of our world and develop skills associated with scientific enquiry. We will develop the natural curiosity of the child, encourage respect for living organisms and the physical environment and provide opportunities for critical evaluation of evidence.

Science for our children

Science helps me understand about living things and the world around me.