Science

Scientists

Create,

Investigate,

Experiment,

Negotiate,

Challenge,

Evaluate 

The study of science enables children to understand the world around them. It involves making observations, collecting evidence and undertaking practical investigations in order to understand major scientific ideas. Science should always encourage critical and creative thought by encouraging children to engage in questioning and discussion about science-based issues, which affect their lives. Through their work in science, children will gain knowledge and understanding that will help them begin to make sense of phenomena and events in our world today.

During years 1 and 2, pupils should be taught to use the following practical scientific methods, processes and skills through the teaching of the programme of study content:

Aims - Our vision

Our aim at Dobcroft Infant School is to encourage and develop the natural curiosity that all young children have about their world. We believe that it is important to enable children to actively learn by teaching them the skills they need to find answers to questions and increase their scientific knowledge. As they progress through school we seek to develop their ability to carry out their own, independent enquiries and become confident in expressing, and explaining, their own views.

Ogden Trust Partnership

We have 6 Science Ambassadors in year 2. The Ambassadors assist teachers and children with science around school, promote science to others, demonstrate in assemblies, carry out lunchtime and meet regularly to carry out simple experiments themselves. The ambassadors attend outreach events such as the Science Ambassador’s Conference at Sheffield Hallam University and presentation training with the other network of Ogden Trust schools. This project has been funded by the Ogden Trust, with whom we are working closely as a school and as part of a partnership of local schools.

Implementation 

To see the progression of science knowledge is built upon throughout the school please visit the curriculum tab 

Learning experience 

• Quality First teaching: variety of teaching styles, varied stimulus
• Quality Resources: a wide range of scientific equipment, access to the Phiz lab located at Totley Primary School, books, computers, iPads
• First hand experiences: e.g. Yorkshire Wildlife Park (animals), local woods (seasons)
• Visitors
• Experiments – small worlds, lessons, Science week, Science day with Dobcroft Junior School, lunchtime club (ran by the Science Ambassadors), after school club.

IMPACT of our science curriculum 

We aim for all children to: 

• Grow in confidence in science so they are able to express their ideas through using scientific language
• Begin to make sense of their observations and investigations by suggesting possible explanations
• Communicate their knowledge and understanding in a variety of ways
• Formulate and share ideas and begin to work out ways of testing them
• Recognise hazards and risks when working with living things and materials
• Make simple and accurate measurements
• Develop an enthusiasm and fascination about science itself
• Become curious about their environment
• Develop respect for the environment and living things
• Stimulate and excite pupils’ curiosity about changes and events in the world
• Satisfy this curiosity with knowledge
• Help pupils to learn to question and discuss scientific issues that may affect their own lives
• Help pupils develop, model and evaluate explanations through scientific methods of collecting evidence using critical and creative though

 

Be the end of Key Stage 1 children will be able to 

• Engage pupils as learners at many levels through linking ideas with practical experience
• Asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways
• Observing closely, using simple equipment
• Performing simple test
• Identifying and classifying
• Using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
• Gathering and recording data to help in answering questions.

 

 

How does this subject prepare our children for the next stage of their educational journey at Dobcroft Infant school & beyond?

We endeavour to ensure that the sequence of content enables our children to progress whilst they are with us but also to provide the building blocks necessary to build on at secondary school & their learning journey beyond.

Promotion of Social Mobility: How does this subject promote social mobility?

Our aim at Dobcroft Infant School is that no child is disadvantaged by their background situation and to provide everything that a child needs so that there are no gaps in scientific knowledge. As a result we ensure a broad range of experiences such as, growing own plants/vegetables, local walks to the community/woods and visits to the zoo. Children also have the opportunity to engage in practical scientific investigations and experiments as part of lessons and through learning through play. As a school we exposed children to the correct scientific vocabulary. This is located on our termly knowledge organisers and is sent home to children. This can also be found under the curriculum tab on the website.

Assessment: How is Science assessed?

 

 

• Teacher assessment: Moderation between staff
• Formal assessment 
• Observations within lessson and application of knowledge 
• Marking: inline with school policy 
• Child questionning 

 

Monitoring & Evaluation: How do we know we have been successful?

• Lesson observations
• Book looks
• Discussions with children 
• Monitoring from science co-ordinator

Long Term Memory: What is the impact on long term memory?

• Revision & recapping
• Success Criteria
• Feedback to children
• Repeated recall
• Curriculum Displays
• Links & connections with other subject areas plus old & new knowledge
• Discussion
• Concept maps

Pupil Voice 

Foundation

"I love doing water experiments then showing all my friends'

"I think it's fun"

"I enjoy researching space"

Year 1 

"We love Science, it's our favourite subject."

"I like how you can invent new things and make things burst and bubble"

Year 2 

"The experiments are really fun."

"I can't wait to apply to be an ambassador. I've already planned my experiment"

"I love using different technology to carry out my research"

 

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