Science

Science at Jupiter Primary School

Our Vision for Science at Jupiter Primary School

“Science is simply the word we use to describe a method of organising our curiosity.”

Tim Minchin

Science at Jupiter Primary School has the WOW factor! All in our school community are curious about the world, asking and answering our own questions. Children lead their own learning, directing their own investigations and lines of enquiry. Our lessons reflect the interests of our school community and current issues in our environment and the wider world.

Children have fun whilst learning, working well with others on challenges and when solving problems. They are encouraged to reflect on their learning and to consider the implications of their Science learning for their own lives.

Lessons are practical and well resourced. Our lessons involve the five 'E's of...

EXCITE           EXPLORE      ENGAGE       ENQURIE      EXPLAIN

Our Science Curriculum

The word 'science' comes from the Latin "scientia" meaning knowledge. For our children, science is knowledge attained through their exploration of the world around them, through investigation.

At Jupiter Primary School, we encourage children to actively learn, by developing their own investigations based on initial ideas given by the teacher, or their own ideas based on current scientific knowledge and understanding. Our children study the physical world, collecting knowledge and facts from their observations, physical experiments and through working scientifically and forming their understanding and ideas about the world. Our Science lessons have a heavy emphasis on investigation involving prediction, observation, testing and evaluation.

Our science learning encompasses the development of knowledge, concepts, skills and positive attitudes. Throughout their time at Jupiter, the children will acquire and develop key knowledge and scientific skills identified as relevant for each year group, building on previous learning and preparing them for what is to come. Children apply their knowledge of science when using equipment, conducting experiments, forming arguments and hypotheses and explaining concepts. They are encouraged to ask questions and be curious about their surroundings. Specialist vocabulary for topics is taught throughout, while 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.

How Can I Support at Home?

Be interested

Find out their termly topics and take an interest — find relevant books in the library or bookshop - do some research, brush up your own knowledge about the topic so that you can have interesting conversations where you are both learning at the same time.

Take a trip

Why not take a trip to a science museum, a zoo or an aquarium? These don’t necessarily need to be completely related to what they are learning about at school. Any visit can help their curiosity and engagement with science generally.

Make it personal

Find out about famous scientists and research unique and exciting inventions up to and including the present day. Who knows, you may have the next Stephen Hawking or Marie Curie at home!

Get hands-on

Look up fun, practical science experiments you can do at home with everyday objects.

For example:

Try mixing different liquids from your kitchen (like water, oil, washing-up liquid and vinegar) to explore density. You could add objects too and predict how far they will sink!

Why not try making your own mini exploding volcano? Just add bicarbonate of soda, food colouring, washing up liquid and vinegar. Then stand back and watch the eruption!

Cooking is a great opportunity to mix ingredients, add heat and examine changing states.

Try exploring changing states with ice and water to begin to see those changes that can be reversed and those that can’t.

Non-Newtonian fluids or ‘gloop’, is a real favourite— use water and cornflour (or custard powder!) to explore solids and liquids. Just be prepared to get messy!

Of course, there are also some wonderful science kits available to buy to push your scientists further – making crystals, rockets and even bouncy balls.

Anything where they can be hands-on and see the science happen in front of their eyes is guaranteed to get them interested.

Websites and Resources:

For Enthusiastic Scientists!

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/

http://www.sciencebob.com/experiments/

http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/experiments/glue-borax-gak

https://wowscience.co.uk 

https://sciencemuseum.org.uk/games-and-apps

At home Archives - Learning (sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk)

Podcasts

https://www.funkidslive.com/podcast/the-fun-kids-science-weekly/

https://sciencepodcastforkids.com - Tumble is a science podcast for kids, to be enjoyed by the entire family. We tell stories about science discoveries, with the help of scientists!  Join Lindsay and Marshall as they ask questions, uncover mysteries, and share what science is all about (aimed at children aged 6-12)

https://brainson.org/page/listen - A podcast for kids, co-hosted each week by kids. Brains On! is an award-winning podcast which sparks children’s natural curiosity. There are so many interesting topics for you to listen to, from farts (yes, farts) to discovering whether plants have feelings or not.