Science

Science at Greenside

“Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science.”  

Edwin Powell Hubble 1889-1953

Science At Home

Here are some useful downloads and links to support home learning:

Science News, Events & Exciting Updates

Take a look at the latest science news, events and exciting updates at Greenside. If you hear of any other exciting Science events coming up please send us an email and let us know. Remember to keep checking all of our 'Science At Home' star folders above as new activities are added regularly!

British Science Week 11th-20th March 2023

This week we are celebrating British Science Week in school. Here are some ways you can get involved at home.

British Science Week Official Poster Competition

Each year British Science Week runs a poster competition and this year it is linked to the theme ‘Connections’. There are loads of STEM topics that could be explored. The poster could explore how our body parts are all connected and work together, the connection between our actions and the impact on our environment, or even how internet connection has changed the world. The possibilities to showcase your knowledge and creative flair are endless. Poster must be A4 or A3 in size. The poster can include a range of creative materials and include pop-up pictures or even pull out tabs. Further details about the poster competition can be found by clicking the British Science Week weblink below. If you would like to take part, poster entries can be individual or family creations and all entries must be submitted to Mrs Shoesmith by Monday 27^th March.

#ScienceSelfie

At Greenside we want the children to recognise that science is all around us, every day. In order to get them to look for science around them, we are asking the children to take a ‘Science Selfie’. These are just a few suggestions: blowing bubbles; planting seeds; moving toy vehicles; looking at animal habitats; throwing and catching. The children will need to write a brief explanation of what Science their selfie shows. e.g. kicking a ball shows how forces make an object move; taking your pulse shows how fast our heart rate is. Children in Reception and Year 1 may need help writing their reason. Please email entries to admin.info@greenside-sch.org marked for the attention of Mrs Shoesmith #ScienceSelfie by Monday 27^th March.

Science at Home Investigation

During British Science Week we would love the children to showcase their talents and enthusiasm for science at home. The Science at Home folders above include a wealth of simple experiments and investigations that can easily be completed at home. Some only require one piece of equipment such an egg box, a straw, a cup or tin foil! The Royal Institution website (http://www.rigb.org/experimental) also has some fabulous ideas for science activities which are specifically designed for parents/carers and children to do at home. The website has short, step-by-step videos which outline what you need and demonstrate exactly what to do. The equipment you need are all things you will already have at home (washing up liquid, plastic milk bottle tops etc.) Simply complete a mini investigation and send photographs or a short video with a brief explanation to admin.info@greenside-sch.org for the attention of Mrs Shoesmith – Science at Home Investigation by Monday 27^th March and you will be featured right here on our science page!

Need some inspiration? Take a look at some of last years super scientists below for some further ideas!

Engineers Week 19th - 25th February 2023

Engineers Week exists to increase understanding and interest in engineering in young people and support a diverse and well-educated future workforce. 

Spark your inner engineer with these fun and creative resources for pupils aged 7-11. Linked to science topics like electricity, forces, materials and providing opportunities to design, make and evaluate your very own electric helicopter, car park barrier or tower. Or take on the Wearable Tech Challenge and design technology for the future. 

Follow the link below to access animation, presentations and resources to complete activities including designing a car park barrier, design a tower, design an electric helicopter or to complete the wearable tech challenge.

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2023

The RSPB is running their successful Big Garden Birdwatch again this year. Taking part is simple and further details can be obtained by clicking on the link below and follow the instructions. Taking part is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

1. Choose 1 hour between 27th and 29th January 2023 to head outside and see what you can spot.

2. Next count how many of each species of bird that lands in your garden or on your balcony.

3. Submit your results online at rspb.org.uk/birdwatch.

The results help the RSPB to gather important data on bird and wildlife trends in the UK. The results help to inform environmental changes if needed and celebrate success stories.

Click on the links for further information and activities to help attract the birds to your garden.

Science for One

'Science for One' is a more recent addition to our home learning resources. It contains a set of activities for practical science while respecting social distancing. Each activity is based around using one easy to obtain resource with children working independently. One activity, One person, One resource. Take a look at the 'Science for One' star folder above.

Science At Work

The Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT) is working with Spectrum Drama and St. Mary's University to create opportunities to meet past and present scientists and to learn more about people who do jobs that use science.

Science at Work consists of weekly activity sheets about scientists and people who work in a science-related job. Children are encouraged to send in their questions to the scientist who will answer as many as they can in a video released the following week. Videos can be viewed through Primary Science Teaching Trust’s Facebook page or on PSTT web page. For further information on how to take part, click on the web page link below.

Our Science At Home Photos & Videos

Take a look at some of our Greenside scientists at work...

Our Science Ethos & Aims

In Science we aim for all children to become confident scientists, actively participating in learning through a hands-on investigative approach to science. They feel confident to take risks and ask questions to encourage their natural curiosity of the world around them.

The aims of science are to enable children to:

• ask and answer scientific questions;
• plan and carry out scientific investigations using equipment, including computers correctly;
• know and understand the life processes of living things;
• know and understand the physical processes of materials, electricity, light, sound and natural forces;
• know about the nature of the solar system, including earth;
• evaluate evidence and present their conclusions clearly and accurately.
• Understand science in everyday life – how it impacts on our world and how jobs use science.

In EYFS Science is taught through investigation and observation as an integral part of the Early Learning Goal ‘The World’. In Years 1 to 6, our long-term plans have been arranged into a two year rolling programme for Key Stage 1, Lower Key Stage 2, and Upper Key Stage 2. Units can be taught in any order within the given academic year. Science may be part of cross-curricular topic work, but is often taught discretely as a focus science week each half term. The outdoor environment is used at every appropriate opportunity. In September 2019 we were delighted to be awarded the prestigious Primacy Science Quality Mark Award which recognises commitment, expertise and quality in science teaching, learning and leadership within a school.

Please see the long-term overview for each tier group for more information about the topics covered in each year.

Programme of Study

At Greenside Primary School, we do all we can to ensure Science teaching inspires our pupils. Science is a core subject and we have worked hard on our curriculum, planning, equipment and resources as well as a commitment to the continued professional development of staff to develop their subject knowledge and skills to deliver first class science lessons. We follow the National Curriculum in England Science Programme of Study for KS1 and KS2. The National Curriculum for Science outlines statutory school curriculum content to be taught in KS1 and KS2, which we have embedded in our long and medium term science plans when planning an engaging and inspiring curriculum to meet the needs of all our pupils. 

Science at Home

What your child is learning in Science at school and how to help your child at home ...

The word 'Science' may conjure up memories of learning lists of facts when you were in school. However, with regard to Science in school today, children are encouraged to observe, question and investigate through the disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, rather than accept the facts unchallenged.

The National Curriculum separates the teaching of Science into several areas:

Working Scientifically (all year groups)

Biology

Animals, including Humans (all year groups)

Plants (Y1, Y2, Y3)

Living Things and their Habitats (Y2, Y4, Y5, Y6)

Evolution and Inheritance (Y6)

Chemistry

Everyday Materials (Y1)

Uses of Everyday Materials (Y2)

Rocks (Y3)

States of Matter (Y4)

Properties and Changes of Materials (Y5)

Evolution and Inheritance (Y6)

Physics

Seasonal Changes (Y1)

Light (Y3, Y6)

Sound (Y4)

Electricity (Y4, Y6)

Forces and Magnets (Y3)

Forces (Y5)

Earth and Space (Y5)

What is Working Scientifically?

When 'working scientifically', children investigate a range of processes, the nature and methods of science. They do this through a range of scientific skills including: observing over time; pattern seeking; identifying; classifying and grouping; comparative and fair testing (controlled investigations); and research using secondary resources. They learn how to plan investigations (varying only one factor at a time, ensuring it is a fair test); present their results (in tables and charts) and explain their findings. Encourage your child to look closely at things, ask questions and feed their curiosity.

Primary Science Quality Mark

In September 2019 we were delighted to hear the news that we had been successful in our endeavours to achieve the Primary Science Quality Mark Award. This is a nationally recognised award led by the University of Hertfordshire School of Education in partnership with the Primary Science Teaching Trust. The award celebrates a commitment to raise the profile of Science in primary schools and excellence in Science teaching and learning. The pupils and staff have worked incredibly hard to demonstrate the quality of teaching and learning in Science at Greenside and their efforts and expertise have been recognised with the achievement of this award. Our Greenside pupils have a real love of not only Science but all STEM subjects. We are looking forward to further developing the subject across school to ensure the best learning opportunities for our pupils.