Science

Science at JCFS

The word science comes from the Latin "scientia" meaning knowledge. The definition of science is "knowledge attained through study or practice," or "knowledge covering general truths of the operation of general laws, esp. as obtained and tested through scientific method [and] concerned with the physical world."   For children, science is the exploration of the world around them through investigation.

Science is the study of the physical world, involving a collection of facts from observations, physical experiments and working scientifically (Living Processes, Materials, Physical Processes) from which children form ideas of their world.   Science has a heavy emphasis on investigation involving prediction, observation, testing and evaluation.

At Jupiter Community Free School, we encourage children to actively learn, by developing their own investigations based on ideas given by the teacher, and their own ideas. These ideas will be increasingly founded in scientific knowledge and understanding. 

We believe science encompasses the development of knowledge, concepts, skills and positive attitudes. Throughout their time at Jupiter, the children will acquire and develop the key knowledge that has been identified within each unit and across each year group, as well as the application of scientific skills. We ensure that the Working Scientifically skills are built-on and developed throughout children’s time at the school so that they can apply their knowledge of science when using equipment, conducting experiments, building arguments and explaining concepts confidently and continue to ask questions and be curious about their surroundings. Specialist vocabulary for topics is taught and built up, and effective questioning to communicate ideas is encouraged. Concepts taught are reinforced by focusing on the key features of scientific enquiry, so that pupils learn to use a variety of approaches to answer relevant scientific questions.