Primary Science – the key bits ….Primary Science – the key bits ….

… … in 7 minutes! EEK!in 7 minutes! EEK!

• Wondering whyWondering why

• Gathering and analysing Gathering and analysing evidence to find out whyevidence to find out why

What is science?What is science?

To do some real science …To do some real science …

You have to gathering and You have to gathering and analyse evidence to find out why analyse evidence to find out why … if you already know the … if you already know the answer, this is impossible!answer, this is impossible!

And … Ofsted, bless ‘em, want And … Ofsted, bless ‘em, want children to be able to ‘operate as children to be able to ‘operate as scientists’.scientists’.

What writing helps enquiries?What writing helps enquiries?

1.1. Children discussing, agreeing and writing the Children discussing, agreeing and writing the question.question.

2.2. Sometimes a hypothesis and predictionSometimes a hypothesis and prediction

3.3. If fair test is needed:If fair test is needed:i.i. what they will changewhat they will change

ii.ii. What they will measureWhat they will measure

iii.iii. what they will keep the samewhat they will keep the same

4.4. Results / evidenceResults / evidence

5.5. ConclusionConclusion

DescribeDescribe

CompareCompare

HypothesiseHypothesise

Hypothesise using sci Hypothesise using sci ideas and language ideas and language (with support)(with support)

Hypothesise using sci Hypothesise using sci ideas and language ideas and language (independently and (independently and consistently)consistently)

Fair test Fair test (beginning)(beginning)

Fair test Fair test (independent)(independent)

Considering Considering reliabilityreliability

Level 1Level 1

Level 2Level 2

Level 3Level 3

Level 4Level 4

Level 5Level 5

Details on the sheet – Details on the sheet – please take one!please take one!

• Knowledge allow us to try and Knowledge allow us to try and explain why things happen and explain why things happen and predict what might happenpredict what might happen

• Ideas that allow us to do more of Ideas that allow us to do more of this are more powerfulthis are more powerful

• Ideas that explain other ideas are Ideas that explain other ideas are more powerfulmore powerful

• The are the The are the Key IdeasKey Ideas in science in science

Useful scientific Useful scientific knowledgeknowledge

If you haven’t got a copy, please take one!If you haven’t got a copy, please take one!

Go outside – real science lurks out there!Go outside – real science lurks out there!

Check out: Check out: http://www.opalexplorenature.orgfor lots of great ideas and free resources!for lots of great ideas and free resources!

Is science important in primary schools?Is science important in primary schools?KS3: KS3: Students spend similar amounts of time in English, Students spend similar amounts of time in English, maths and sciencemaths and science

KS4:KS4:Students study 1 GCSE in Maths, usually 2 in English Students study 1 GCSE in Maths, usually 2 in English and 2 or 3 in scienceand 2 or 3 in science

A-Levels:A-Levels:•75000 A-levels in Maths75000 A-levels in Maths•83000 A-levels in English83000 A-levels in English•131000 A-levels in Science131000 A-levels in Science

Higher Education:Higher Education:23% of all degree courses are science based23% of all degree courses are science based

Any questions?Any questions?

Contact me:Contact me:david.whittle@hants.gov.uk

Follow on Twitter (in a personal capacity) Follow on Twitter (in a personal capacity) @13SciDave@13SciDave