Science teaches children how to question, investigate and explore the world and processes around them. It teaches them key skills that are transferable to every aspect of life and promotes critical thinking. It helps children make sense of the world around them whilst promoting curiosity and exploration.
“Tynings scientists have inquisitive minds and are curious investigators.”
Science is taught within our six themes depending on the unit of work. Themes are designed to reflect the world we live in and teach children about different aspects of their world to help them develop into global citizens. The six themes are: Acceptance and Kindness, The World Today, Saving Our Planet, Different Cultures, Building Relationships and Adventure and Exploration. The unit of work within the theme determines where science objectives are situated, for example, science is heavily linked to the themes of: Saving our Planet, Adventure and Exploration and The World Today but when children are learning about Diwali in Different Cultures a link to science is made through light. Every year group will be starting the year with the theme Acceptance and Kindness where children have the opportunity to learn about plants and growing, a key science objective. Please see the Science Road Map below for more detail on which units and themes science objectives are situated in.
We aim to make science as hands on and practical as possible, always promoting curiosity. Investigations and experiments are used to teach the key science skills and knowledge hand in hand. Science promotes exploring and lessons contain many explorative elements. We promote key investigative skills and focus on using 7 key enquiry skills that develop from EYFS to Year 6. These skills enable Tynings scientist to lead and design comparative and investigative experiments to answer their own questions they may have about their world.
Within science we also promote key scientific discussion using correct vocabulary. Every year group has key words displayed and sentence stems on display to help the children discuss their scientific explanations. We have also created a vocabulary progression that highlights the key vocabulary the children in each year group should be using.
Science at the Tynings is a mix of practical investigation and recording in books. We promote the teaching of theory and skills interchangeably.
EYFS and Year 1 have been exploring chemical changes watching kernels turn into popcorn.
They've also been investigating different ways to dissolve ice.
Some magic potion making using bicarbonate of soda, vinegar and food colouring.
Year 2 have been exploring everyday materials, we have explored the most suitable materials for making a parachute. We also explored how different materials can be maniuplated!
We researched about Scottish inventor Charles Macintosh and his inventions of the first waterproof fabric by waterproofing our own fabric!
Year 3 have been learning all about fossils and rocks. Here they have set up an investgation to explore the composition of soil.
Year 5 have been exploring lifecycles of plants and animals and have drawn some lovely diagrams to show their learning.
Year 6 have been exploring the circulatory system and made thier very own blood using different ingreidents to represent the plasma and different cells.
Every classroom will have a ‘Topic Board’ where key vocabulary, scientists and learning are presented on here to help scaffold the children’s learning. This is updated throughout the topic to show the learning journey the children have been on.
At the start of every topic children and teachers complete a title page together. This allows teachers to elicit what the children understand and plan accordingly. It also provides the children with a space to share what questions they’d like to answer in the topic. At the end of the topic the children then have a space to record what they have learnt. The road maps below provide an overview of the key topics and skills each year group covers to ensure progression within science.
Every year we take a week out of our normal topic lessons to explore the theme of British Science Week. This year the theme is ‘Innovating for the Future’ so stay tuned for updates.
Every term a new science challenge is set for the children to complete, this focuses on a different area of science every term to capture the interests of many, see below for more details.
Calling all Tynings’ scientists and engineers Santa needs your help. Santa is trying to reduce his carbon footprint; can you help him design an eco-friendly sleigh? More details below.
Useful websites to support science at home:
Click here to view explorify.wellcome.ac.uk
Click here to view www.nhm.ac.uk/schools/teaching-resources
Click here to view https://www.jamesdysonfoundation.co.uk/resources/challenge-cards
Click here to view www.sciencekids.co.nz
Click here to view the BBC Bitesize KSI 1 Science
Click here to view the BBC Bitesize KSI 2 Science
Click here to view the NASA Kidsclub website
The Science Team at The Tynings School consists of Kieran Mead and Louise English. The governor with responsibility for Science is Jessica Horner. Please do not hesitate to contact with any questions you have regarding Science and The Tynings School.