Science
SCIENCE
Our PKC Science curriculum aims to equip children with the foundations for understanding the world through a scientific lens. We use Plan Bee, STEM and Explorify activities, experiments and resources to supplement and enrich our Primary Knowledge Curriculum (PKC). Pupils will be taught units of work that cover and go beyond the requirements of the National Curriculum in the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Pupils will encounter people who have made significant contributions to the field of science over time, understanding that science has been a quest for understanding for many years, and will continue to be so in the future. Pupils will build a body of key foundational science knowledge as they work through the curriculum, asking questions and developing a sense of curiosity about the world around us.
Following the PKC Science curriculum will give children an introduction to fascinating content such as the inner workings of the human body, animals and the environments they live in, plants and their features, forces in nature, what lies beyond the visible and what lies beyond the planet we live on. Over time their knowledge will deepen moving from recognising and naming parts of the human body to understanding how our muscles work, how our blood moves around our body and how our nervous system helps us to interact with the world.
Pupils will be encouraged to use the knowledge they learn in Science and apply it to investigations that test a theory or set out to answer a question. Importantly, substantive scientific knowledge is taught first, before pupils are asked to undertake enquiry. This helps them to fully understand the elements of the enquiry first, and to make informed observations about the processes they see. Gathering information, recording data, graphing data and interpreting findings are all essential skills that pupils will apply to new contexts as they work through the curriculum. Enquiries include observing over time, pattern seeking, identifying, classifying and grouping, comparative and fair testing and researching using secondary sources. Scientific enquiries provide children with a wealth of opportunities, but first and foremost they will help to deepen understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science as a discipline and how it differs from other subjects they are studying. Pupils will gain an understanding of the purpose and uses of science both today and in the future.
Throughout the science curriculum, children are taught that scientific discoveries have been made since time began around the world. The children learn about the work of scientists such as Lewis Howard Latimer, who invented the carbon filament that allowed Edison’s lightbulb to light up the world. In Year 5 children learn about Jabir ibn Hayyan who is thought to have invented a crucial tool for the distillation process: the alembic. In Year 1 children learn about their senses and reflect upon the challenges faced by Helen Keller who achieved a university degree despite being blind and deaf from her early childhood. Importantly in Science, over time, children learn about scientists and their search for the truth. They learn that the people who have contributed to science, from Ancient Baghdad to Ancient Rome and beyond, are diverse and many voices make up the story of science.
Our science curriculum builds knowledge incrementally. Pupils have multiple opportunities to secure and build on their knowledge and understanding as subject content is revisited at points throughout the curriculum. This helps children to master the knowledge and concepts whilst building up an extended specialist vocabulary. This incremental approach helps teachers to identify knowledge gaps and look back at previous content if they need to close gaps in knowledge or understanding. Our curriculum enables children to understand the important role that science plays in the sustainability of life on earth. We want children following this curriculum to be equipped to go forth into their secondary education with curiosity, passion and a desire for discovery.
Please see our Science 'S' Plan and progression documents at the bottom of the page which maps out our science curriculum (Knowledge and working scientifically skills) for 2022-2023 from the Early Years to Year 6.
Science in EYFS
In EYFS children start to gain the scientific knowledge that they'll build on throughout their primary school years at Brierley, such as developing their skills of observation, prediction, critical thinking and discussion
Science in FS2 is incorporated into the different areas of learning:
Understanding of the World – The Natural World
Using their senses to explore the natural world – plants, animals, objects and seasons.
Making observations, identifying similarities, difference & changes
Communication & Language
Asking & understanding questions and communicating observations and ideas
Physical Development
Using tools and equipment
Health and hygiene
Opportunities are based upon the three Characteristics of Effective Learning:
Playing and exploring - children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’
Active learning - children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties, and enjoy achievements
Creating and thinking critically - children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things
At Brierley teaching and learning in science is through a combination of teacher led activities & experiments and child led exploration in the different provision areas in the classroom and the outdoors.
SCIENCE THEME DAYS
At Brierley children love being scientists. Each term we supplement our curriculum delivery by providing children with further opportunities to work scientifically and carry out experiments developing even further their excitement for and love of science. We hope to inspire all children and in particular girls in a subject and possibly towards a career that is traditionally male dominated.
Our days are linked to current affairs, events or celebrations
Below are some examples of the Science Theme Days that we have taken part in here at Brierley.
Charles Darwin Theme Day
Our theme day was inspired by Charles Darwin who was born on 12th February 1809. Each class learnt about the great scientist and carried out their own investigations related to the work and finding of this man.
At the end of each topic, each child takes an end of unit quiz which gives teachers a summative indication of their knowledge and understanding. However, we use a system of formative assessment throughout each lesson, as this not only enables our teachers to find any gaps in the children’s understanding and therefore provide support, but this system regularly enables our teachers to find opportunities to challenge our children even further.
For monitoring of assessment data, we then use the Insight system to input the level of attainment of each child, which is a teacher judgement based on National Curriculum expectations. This data is stored then reviewed regularly to help teachers review their progress, and at the end of the school year is then passed onto the next teachers to build upon.
Links to useful websites
For those young scientists who want to find out more please see the links to websites you may find useful.
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/ks2science.html
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z2pfb9q
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities.html
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