Science
Studying Science provides children with the foundations for understanding the world around us. Science encourages us to ask questions, find answers and make close observations about how and why things work as they do. While we develop these rational explanations we also aim to develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. Children enjoy finding out how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave and analyse causes.
Yearly Overview
Science at Queen Emma is very “hands on” and children are encouraged to “Work Scientifically” during each and every topic. As such they develop a variety of important skills including the ability to plan, observe and evaluate. They become accustomed to using a variety of tools and equipment and over time become adept at presenting and explaining their findings. Investigating is at the heart of Science and Queen Emma children know we value their thinking.
| Autumn | Spring | Summer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Y1 | Everyday materials. Seasonal changes | Plants. Seasonal changes | Animals. Seasonal changes |
| Y2 | Health and growth. Material properties | Changing material properties. Electricity. Local plants | Local animals (minibeasts). Forces |
| Y3 | Rocks and soils. Amazing animals | Light and dark | Forces and magnets. Plants. Living things |
| Y4 | Living things. Habitats. Sound | Investigations and Electricity | States of Matter. Humans and animals. Food and digestion |
| Y5 | Forces: Gravity, water, air resistance and friction. Earth and Space: Sun, moon, night and day | Living Things: Lifecycles and reproduction. Animals and humans: Changes, puberty and growing up. Lifecycle of a plant | Materials: Reversible and irreversible changes. Separating solids and liquids. Fair testing |
| Y6 | Light. Electricity. | Living things. Evolution and inheritance. | Animals (including humans) |
Please click on the link to view our Science policy on our Policies page.
Examples Of Learning
Science on Display
Take a look at these photos to see some of the lovely ways Science is being celebrated in our school.
Year 1
In Science, Year 1 have been learning about the planets in our solar system. We have learnt the planets names, their sizes and their colours. We used this knowledge to accurately colour in the planets before carefully cutting the planets out and sticking them in the correct order. Well done Year 1!
Year 1 have been finding out about plants. First, we looked at the structure of plants. Then we explored the school grounds to find out about different types of wild plant. We identified dandelions, daisies, buttercups and nettles. In pairs, we recorded our findings in a tally chart. We discovered that daisies are the most common type of wildflower growing on the field; buttercups are the least common. We also spotted some cowslips which were very pretty.
Year 2
In Year 2, the children have been finding out about everyday uses of materials. We have been identifying and comparing the suitability of a variety of everyday materials for particular uses. We explored how the shapes of solid objects made from some materials can be changed by squashing, bending, twisting and stretching. The children found out about ‘fair tests’ and then decided on what materials they would use for a pet home. They made models out of a variety of materials and we then carried out tests on waterproof materials having made predictions. We then discussed our results. It was great fun!
Year 3
Year 3 have enjoyed their work on ‘animals including humans’ in science lessons. They have been thinking about healthy diets and the human body.
Year 5
We had lots of fun celebrating the end of our topic with a Space Day. The children came dressed in some great costumes. We played some games to develop our teamwork and communication skills, as well as doing some coding on the iPads. We also had a go at making paper rockets which would be propelled by air blown through a straw.
We have been learning about the lunar cycle. We looked at the different ways the moon appears to us and why this happens. We then used Oreos to recreate this pattern.
We worked together in small groups to act out and describe the movement of the sun, earth and moon in relation to each other. One person was the sun, who stood in the middle, while they were orbited by a rotating earth. At the same time, the moon was orbiting and rotating the earth.
We enjoyed conducting an investigation into water resistance. We created different shapes out of plasticine, dropped them into a funnel of water and timed how long they took to reach the bottom. We discovered that more streamlined shapes were quicker to reach the bottom. We also spent some time evaluating the investigation and discussing what improvements could be made.
Year 6
In year 6 we have been investigating wires. We know these studies give us answers to a targeted focus question, but one student found it created more questions. Delighted, she then exclaimed “I need to do another experiment to figure out why!” A Scientist in the making!
In science we explored refraction, and looked at an example through water and glass. We noted our findings when we finished.
We put into practise the periscope activity from science to check our understanding of the law of reflection. We then noted our observations and findings of how it worked.