Science
“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known”
(Carl Sagan)
Year R
Throughout the year the children study the many changes that occur in their outdoor school environment, associated with the seasons. They explore these areas on nature walks and trails, making sense of their understanding by communicating their ideas in writing and drawings. They use these seasonal observations to support the study of Arctic animals, looking specifically at penguins and their habitats. They apply their skills related to animals and habitats when studying Dinosaurs. The children also have regular opportunities to explore the many creatures which inhabit the bug hotel and the surrounding hedgerows.
“Science is nothing, but trained and organised common sense”
(Thomas Huxley)
Through a range of activities the children investigate movement and experiment using a wide selection of equipment such as ramps, pipes and tubes. They try out their ideas using water, toy cars and other objects. They both verbalise and record their reasoning.
Storytelling is often used to support the experimentation of concepts such as insulating and protecting objects. Making a safe coat for Humpty Dumpty so that he doesn’t crack when he falls, or keeping the 3 Bear’s porridge warm.
The children also explore their own science, investigating using their senses, making observations about their own features and noticing differences and similarities.
Year 1
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The children find out a lot about themselves at the beginning of the year through the exploration of likes and dislikes. They experiment with taste and touch and note differences and similarities with their peers. As the year progresses the children explore and test the properties of materials, giving reasons regarding their suitability for different purposes. They compare and group together a variety of everyday materials using scientific vocabulary to describe what the materials can do. They use and apply this knowledge to design and create puppets as well as investigating further the use of materials in recycling.
The project ‘Tree-mendous Trouble’ gives children the opportunity to work scientifically identifying common deciduous and non-deciduous trees, comparing leaf size and shape and looking at the habitat a tree provides.
Throughout the year the children observe the changes to the leaves on trees, measure the amount, describe the pattern of change across the seasons and record their observations and findings to draw conclusions. |
''WOAH! THE SKINIS NOT SLIMY - ITCAN'T BE ANANPHIBIAN, ITMUST BE AREPTILE!'' |
Year 2
The children explore the suitability of materials for the construction of bridges. They carry out a range of investigations to match the requirements of the object to the properties of the materials. This involves testing, recording and evaluating their findings.
Knowledge about animals is explored through the study of wild animals and their habitats. Children experiment with their own ideas regarding the grouping of animals and sorting against classification criteria. Through an educational visit to Marwell Zoo the children get the oppitunity to touch real animals and experince the features which classifiy them.
An awareness of health and the processes involved in exercising and eating well, are explored through a sports related project. The children look closely at their own health and diet and investigate questions related to exercise, through practical investigations.
“We cannot teach people anything; we can only help them discover it within themselves”
(Galileo)