1. Inspiring a passion for Science. By Rachel Quandalle, Al Safa Private School

2. Purpose of Study "Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena." National Curriculum for Science 2014

3. This is what the children think about it…

4. Why Science is great to teach… Students are enthusiastic, excited and want to be involved in their learning. It is a subject that really is different from so many others…it’s smelly, messy and fun ! Lessons that give students the opportunity to get off their seats and actually do something, rather than learning at a distance. A chance to use different tools and materials. Can apply what they learn to real-life situations and to worldwide problems they have heard of.

5. How……? New National Curriculum from Sept 2014 for most year groups. Should include opportunities for Assessing Pupil Progress (APP’s). No official Scheme of Work How to plan lessons effectively using resources that are available How to include all these

6. Enjoy Science! Keep it simple, keep it fun, keep it practical (as much as you can) and keep it relevant. Be enthusiastic – tell them and then SHOW them how cool it is! Use teaching resources on the internet to tweak your lessons. Don’t “reinvent the wheel”.

7. Children still enjoy the “hands-on” experience. Practicals are great – just try and link the theory to what they already know… How to inspire a love of Science… Dissolving sugar in tea (drink it after), or custard in milk and heating it Making slides from fungi they have grown from their own snack leftovers and looking at them under the microscope Testing the strength of different shopping bags using force-meters Challenge to obtain clean, potable water from muddy water using only a scarf, beaker, candle & plastic bag Making plastic from Milk and vinegar Dissecting Eyeballs, lungs, Hearts and flowers! Set up an ant farm Investigate soil samples to see how much air is trapped by measuring water volume Setting up a circuit to make a motorised fan AND a bulb work Make a periscope Design a submarine that is powered by the reaction of bicarbonate and water

8. …or think they know… How about a Science Day?

9. Or set up some ant farms…? What is Myrmecology?

10. Let the learning start with the student Show what they know already, bring in resources from home. Games to introduce a topic that provide opportunity to comment on results – what was good and what they would alter and why. Brainstorming or “thought – showering”- linking to new ideas and terminology eg, virus. Allow them to connect the dots – Science is not a series of disconnected facts, but part of an ongoing journey of discovery.

11. Relate to history How things have changed from the “olden days” never ceases to amaze students. Cross curricular activities eg, WWII food links to micro-organisms and rationing, and a Masterchef Day. Words/terminology that come from the past eg, “Quack”, or new meanings for words we use now eg, @, record, spam. Show new discoveries and advances are happening all the time eg, Pluto is now only a dwarf planet, heart stent. Do a timeline of scientific discoveries.

12. Celebrate success of the group AND the individual! Science competitions and presentations in assembly, Science Day/Fair photos in the newsletters, Stars for good work lead to house points, Extra curricular work goes up on display, Class presentations to other year groups.

13. Use technology Computers, internet, ipads, laptops… Students are very IT literate and can use the internet to find many resources We can find information to help us too…but there is a time factor…

14. …remember, don’t reinvent the wheel! http://www.tes.co.uk/ http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/science/science.htm http://www.sigmascience.co.uk/index.php http://www.kenttrustweb.org.uk/ask8/ask8_primary_scien ce_kentscheme.cfmhttp://www.kenttrustweb.org.uk/ask8/ask8_primary_scien ce_kentscheme.cfm http://www.primaryscienceworkshops.co.uk/home/45767 29072http://www.primaryscienceworkshops.co.uk/home/45767 29072 http://www.ase.org.uk/resources/ http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/educators/teaching_r esources.aspxhttp://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/educators/teaching_r esources.aspx http://www.topmarks.co.uk/Interactive.aspx?cat=71 http://www.sciencebob.com/index.php http://www.interplayuk.com/files/ant_world.pdf Useful resources…