Science
Young children exploring their world are naturally scientific. The emphasis of science in the school should be on children using the process skills of science to find out about themselves and their environment. Scientific activities encourage the development of personal attributes and qualities in children.
Amongst these are:
Curiosity showing an interest in new or unusual things and noticing detail. Using questions to find out and explain about causes and relationships.
Originality producing ideas not previously held, by thinking and using imagination.
Perseverance not giving up when a goal is difficult to attain or requires a large amount of effort
Open-mindedness being prepared to listen to other points of view and accepting new ideas which are convincing.
Self-criticism being prepared to evaluate ones work or ideas in order to find ways to improve it.
Willingness to co-operate being aware of the needs of others, being prepared to fit in with them and to negotiate differences through discussion.
Independence being able to make decisions after due consideration and being prepared to defend opinions and ideas.
We aim...
To promote and encourage curiosity, interest in and the enjoyment of science.
To give children opportunities for working together scientifically and developing process skills, manipulative skills, and social skills.
To help children acquire scientific knowledge and to develop an understanding of science recognising connections between different areas.
To give children the opportunities to use the process skills of science and to find out about themselves and their environment.
To encourage children to propose their own scientific investigations, develop experimental abilities, paying due regard to safe practice.
To develop the understanding of the close relationship between science and technology. Using ideas and models to explain phenomena and to understand applications of science.
To engage in problem solving activities.
To promote a future generation of ‘scientific thinkers’ with an ability to evaluate and communicate scientific evidence and understanding its importance.
To prepare children for their future science courses in Senior School.
To give children opportunities to use ICT equipment to collect, analyse and record data.
These aims are achieved using the following objectives.
Practical Skills-
Pupils will carryout practical experiments, which are designed to:
introduce them to a wide range of apparatus
allow them to work in pairs or small groups
develop their manual dexterity
develop their ability to observe changes
develop their ability to record and process results and to analyse them on a group or class basis
encourage a sense of accuracy in what they do
relate where possible to environmental and industrial processes
develop their ability to collect data using ICT equipment
Observation
Using chemicals, living or preserved organisms or mechanical apparatus, pupils will be encouraged to observe carefully what possible changes can occur, the similarities and differences between objects and to record this information in drawings, graphs, tables of results and practical write-ups.
Discussion
Pupils will be encouraged to develop the confidence and ability to discuss their ideas and results or to challenge other ideas either in groups or with the whole class. Tasks such as problem solving will be introduced. Through listening to other pupil’s points of view they will also be able to develop the ability to present balanced arguments and to analyse closely, their own work and ideas.
Thinking
By being presented with the current issues which involve the environment, industry, the home, hygiene, and medicine, pupils will be able to relate what they are studying to everyday life. This will encourage an appreciation of scientific issues around them and to formulate their own opinions which they will carry with them and develop further in Senior School.
....and we have the best 'toys' in the school !
