Science
What is science?
Science is the study of how the world works and how we find out about it.
Why do we learn science?
Learning science helps us to develop our knowledge of living things, energy and forces, materials, and processes and change. It helps us to carry out investigations and draw conclusions.
At Park Hill, we pride ourselves by fostering a healthy curiosity about the universe, encouraging our pupils to ask questions about how and why. Our curriculum ensures progression across the school from EYFS to Year 6, reflecting the National Curriculum. We believe science encompasses the acquisition of knowledge, concepts, skills and positive attitudes and throughout the programme of study, children will acquire and develop these key foundation skills. This ensures their scientific mind-set will be taken beyond primary school.
This links to our 6 school values :
Community, Equality, Respect, Compassion, Aspiration and Resilience
Science Policy- Curriculum Statement
Here is what our pupils think about Science.
Science Pupil Voice Analysis Report
Science National Curriculum
Science National Curriculum KS1 and KS2
Development Matters 2023
EYFS Framework September 2023
Science Types of Enquiry and Working Scientifically Skills
Science Enquiry Skills
Science Curriculum Overview - KS1 and KS2 2023-2024
science overview 2023 2024 ks1 ks2.pdf
Science Curriculum - EYFS 2023-2024
eyfs science overview including future learning and links to scientific enquiry skills.pdf
Misconceptions and the curriculum
Some substantive concepts are more difficult to learn because the scientific knowledge conflicts with everyday knowledge. Misconceptions can form pervasive barriers to learning science because they compete with the scientific idea in pupils' minds. Our curriculum anticipates where pupils are likely to hold misconceptions. These are explicitly addressed.
Reading
KS2 pupils take science reading books home to read around the curriculum which can have several important benefits for pupil:
- Deeping Understanding: Science books often provide more in-depth information than what can be covered in the classroom. Reading at home allows pupils to explore concepts in greater detail and gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
- Inspiration: Science books often share stories of scientific discoveries and the people behind them. These stories can be inspiring , motivating pupils to pursue careers in science.
- Reinforcing Concepts: Reviewing science topics outside of school reinforces what pupils have learned in class. Repetition and practice are key to retaining knowledge.
- Life-Long Learning: Encouraging pupils to read science books at home instils a habit of life-long learning . It teaches pupils that learning doesn't stop at the classroom door and that they can continue to expand their knowledge throughout their lives.
- Improved Vocabulary and Literacy Skills: Reading science books exposes pupils to scientific terminology and can improve their vocabulary. It also enhances their literacy skills , including reading comprehension, writing and communication.
- Parental Involvement: Encouraging pupils to take science books home to read can also involve parents in their education. Parents can discuss what their children are reading, and questions and provide additional support.
Science Reading Books
Enrichment
British Science Week 2024
Switch Off Fortnight - November 2023
During these two weeks, Park Hill has taken part in a national campaign called 'Switch Off Fortnight' in an effort to save electricity around the school. The School Council have reminded us all to turn off lights and appliances if they are not in use.
Well done to everyone for thinking about the benefits of reducing our energy usage and considering how making small changes in our lives can collectively help us all to tackle climate change.
Switch Off Fortnight Certificate
Severn Trent Workshop 29.11.23
We were very lucky to have an assembly and workshops delivered by Severn Trent Water.
The 'Super Sewers' assembly covered:
- What is sewage and where does it come from?
- How we treat and recycle sewage, linking in with the water cycle.
- What should we put down the toilet and the sink?
- The consequences of sewer misuse.
- How a healthy sewer can contribute towards a healthy environment.
The 'Sewer Soup' Workshop for Year 3
Pupils had the opportunity to look at the waste-water treatment process by creating fake sewage and attempting to clean it.
Sewer Soup Workshop
The University of Warwick- Paper Engineering Resource Box
Christmas in a Box: Are Santa's Elves engineers? How do they get so many products made up and transported around the world?
One trick is to flat pack everything!
Thank you to the University of Warwick for our resource boxes linked to engineering and manufacturing.
The University of Warwick- Christmas in a Box
World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) 18-24 November 2023
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer responds to medicines, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. If antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective, common illnesses will become more difficult or impossible to treat.
Assemblies linked to science
We enjoyed 5G's class assembly which was linked to their 'Light' unit.
Did you know that light is a form of energy. The pupils told us that the sun is our biggest light source. It emits light in all directions. Everywhere we look , light is being reflected, lighting up our world. They made us think about what life would be like without any light. We would live in a world of darkness. They linked this to light being a symbol. Something that represents hope.
A quote from a very well-known Christian called Archbishop Desmond Tutu:
"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness."
The pupils spoke about the symbol of light in different festivals.
5G Class Assembly on Light
