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Getting started with primary science

By Tanya Shields posted 16-09-2022 09:18

  
As children, we naturally questioned everything, wanting to understand the mechanics behind the world we met. Primary Science should nurture this natural curiosity, to develop children’s understanding of the world and teach them essential enquiry skills. It should start the process of inspiring our scientists of the future as they build their understanding of the value and place science has in their lives.

Primary science is the starting point for building their science capital and a lifelong appreciation of the importance of science. Through hands-on exploration, children are able to ask questions, test their ideas, and in turn, develop a greater understanding of the world in which they live. Creating learning opportunities that will develop a sense of excitement and curiosity is fundamental in supporting children’s learning in science.


When teaching primary science for the first time, concerns over behaviour management can sometimes feel like a barrier for carrying out practical work. Children are naturally more free and move around the classroom. They are working in groups rather than individually and talk is key to success, so the noise level in the room can be elevated. However, managing practical lessons need not be challenging.

Practical sessions will be manageable if children are engaged and have established routines. The learning needs to be focused, based on their prior learning and not overwhelming for the children.


Here, we take a look at one idea for managing practical activities from our online course: Primary Science - Getting Started.

Classroom roles


Using roles can be a good way of organising the class and helping good behaviour management during practical science work. Children taking on a role gives them a sense of responsibility and purpose. These roles can even have a real-life relevance, linking them to industry roles.

There are many roles that you may choose to give the children in your groups. Here are a few examples:

Personnel Manager - Makes sure that the group works cooperatively and everyone does their role. They will help to sort out any disputes that may come up between members of the team.

Administration Manager - Writes things down. This could be diagrams, a table of results or the steps the group have worked through.

Health and Safety Manager - Makes sure everyone is safe and watches out for any risks that may occur.

Resources Manager - Collects resources which the group need. They set the equipment up and clear it away.

Communications Manager - Reports the findings of the group to the rest of the class.



Teaching Primary Science: Getting Started is for those new to teaching primary science or for teachers who would like to develop their skills further.

It’s a highly interactive course with real classroom footage, shared Padlet boards full of great ideas, discussions, quizzes, and polls. You will explore a range of techniques to deliver primary science in an engaging and practical way, identify the different types of enquiries and learn how to embed them in science teaching. You will also be able to trial activities and think about how they impact on learning and engagement in science.

Go to Teaching Primary Science: Getting Started or search for course code NE708.

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5 comments
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Comments

Jenny Watson
23-09-2023 14:10

If you want a sixth role - then I also have an Analyst, thinking about and leading a discussion about the results as they 'come out'.

There are label badges for these roles in Appendix 1 of 'Is there anyone out there?' www.stem.org.uk/elibrary/resource/30199. 

Karen Hornby
26-09-2022 12:35

That's great news, and thank you @Sarah Eames  for letting us work with your class.  We couldn't have made these courses without the generosity of the schools and teachers involved :-) ​​

Sarah Eames
17-09-2022 17:41

I came along to read the blog and was excited to see my old class! 
I will recommend this course in my next newsletter to schools in my area.
Sarah

Karen Hornby
16-09-2022 12:29

Thanks @Haydon Bailey   

The link to this loan scheme is https://geologistsassociation.org.uk/schoolrocks/​

Haydon Bailey
16-09-2022 11:59

Really good to read through this, particularly the encouragement of "hands on" science which makes it really memorable to the whole class. I'm coming to this as a new STEM Ambassador, but I'm also wearing the hat of being the Co-Ordinator for the Geologists' Association SchoolRocks! initiative. This initiative provides a tailor made box of rocks and fossils targeting KS2 classes, together with a series of six lesson plans which accompany the specimens in the Rock Box. If you need more information on this initiative and the resources we provide then contact/email schoolrocks@geologistsassociation.org.uk
Keep up the good work opening up science in the classroom!!
Haydon Bailey

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