Science Calendar of Events 2015 - 2016

Date Event Class/People Involved

Purpose Impact

28.9.15 – 16.11.15

After school science club Years 1, 2 and 3 To encourage children to participate in science activities beyond the classroom.

High attendance. Children and parents commented on enjoyment and activities. Children reported back on activities in class and showed off their learning.

6.10.15 Farm Visit to school Nursery, Reception and

Year 1

To support topic and science learning about animals. To give children a hands on learning experience.

Children learnt the names of different farm animals and identified and compared the features of their bodies. They stroked and handled different animals and extended their language. They listened to information given by the farmer and learnt how to care for the different animals. Excellent observations were made and children did some beautiful follow up work back in the classroom.

12.10.15 Warburtons workshop in school

Year 3 To support learning about different foods and healthy eating.

Children demonstrated a good understanding of issues around healthy eating which supplemented curriculum learning.

2.11.15 Visit to the Greenwich Observatory

Year 5 To support topic and science learning about Space.

Year 5 had been learning about space time in science. The visit to Greenwich put this learning into a real-life context as they were able to see and touch a real meteorite as well as standing on the Greenwich Meridian.

12.11.15 Girls in Science Day at local school

Year 6 girls To provide opportunity to showcase importance of girls following science careers.

Chance for girls to mix with other schools and learn about different opportunities in science.

13.11.15 Year 3 Class Assembly – Science topic theme

Whole school Year 3 parents

To learn about what Y3 have been doing in their science topic work on forces and magnets To encourage family engagement with Y3 science learning

The children presented their scientific learning to the whole school and their parents which reflected their enjoyment and enthusiasm for the subject. The assembly demonstrated a topic approach and highlighted our emphasis on working scientifically.

17.11.15 Visit to local museum

Year 1 To support topic and science learning about animals. Children participated in a workshop about Alfred Wallace (naturalist and biologist) and had the opportunity to learn about his contribution to the science world and handle specimens.

Children learnt about a real scientist who influenced our understanding and lived locally to them, therefore having relevance and meaning. They were able to explain in simple terms what he did and had the opportunity to handle real animal specimens which further developed their understanding on animal body structures.

15.12.15 Visit to local Observatory

Year 5 To support topic and science learning about space. To watch the launch of the space rocket and participate in activities linked to this with other schools.

The trip to the Observatory gave the children a unique opportunity to watch the live launch of British astronaut Tim Peake launch in to space, on his journey to the International Space Station. They were able to take part in a question and answer session with a NASA astronaut and asked some excellent questions! The trip gave them the chance to take part in a variety of science led activities that helped them understand how important science is today, in helping us to understand the world around us and in outer space. It also showed them that scientists are continually working on finding out more about the unknown, through carrying out experiments and analysing results. Also, they are willing to take incredible risks and undertake hardship in the name of science! This should help them put their own science learning in context and to see how the skills they are developing in primary school, could help them and others later on in life.

12.1.16 (plus

subsequent follow up meetings)

Eco council meeting Representatives from each class

leading whole school

Children considered the impact of our current food waste. They considered why the issue is important and then took the ideas back for class discussion.

Discussions naturally linked to real world science issues:

Care for the environment/sustainability.

Poverty in other countries and the need for everyone to be able to have healthy food to stay fit and well. We shouldn’t be wasting ours!

It was noted that often the waste was fruit and vegetables. Children thought we should

be encouraging children to eat up healthy food first to keep us in good health.

12.1.16 – 22.1.16

School council meeting Representatives from each class

leading whole school

School council meet to consider science learning across the school. They help set questions for a pupil voice interview and carry out with their classes over next 10 days.

Children in all classes discussed their science learning and gave their views on science learning in school.

Throughout Spring term

Forest school sessions most weeks based around science objectives (seasons)

Year 1 To increase use of outdoor learning in science. To lead by example.

Children demonstrate a love for learning outdoors. Incidental learning has often occurred in addition to planned curriculum objectives. Children have been able to observe elements first hand e.g. changing seasons, effects of weather, plants etc.

14.1.16 Year 4 science club launched

Year 4 To encourage children to participate in science activities beyond the classroom.

Waiting list to attend showing children’s enthusiasm. Children and parents commenting on enjoyment and activities. Children reported back on activities in class and showed off their learning.

29.1.16 Recycling assembly – How can a plastic cup turn into

a pencil?

Whole school To encourage children to think about the issue of recycling in school and being waste aware.

To enable children to see the work of scientists in the real world and help them begin to understand the processes involved in changing materials.

5.2.16 Year 2 Class Assembly – Science topic theme

Whole school Year 2 parents

To learn about what Y2 have been doing in their science topic work To encourage family engagement with Y2 science learning

The children presented their scientific learning to the whole school and their parents which reflected their enjoyment and enthusiasm for the subject. The assembly demonstrated a topic approach and highlighted our emphasis on working scientifically.

12.2.16 Year 6 Science Assembly Whole school Year 6 parents

Science link governor

To learn about what Y6 have been doing in their science topic work To encourage family engagement with Y6 science learning

The assembly showcased some very impressive cross-curricular working. It showed a wide range of learning and involved a range of parts that enabled all class members to play an active part, irrespective of their attainment and confidence levels. The children presented and explained scientific concepts and terminology in several different ways (e.g. through spoken pieces and through song) and they recounted their experiences of an investigation on natural selection. It was particularly impressive

that, in line with the current research evidence on equitable science education, the assembly valued a range of expressive cultural styles (such as rap, poetry, narrative) as vehicles through which children can engage with science.

12.2.16 Year 6 Parent visit Year 6 Year 6 parents

Science link governor

To learn about what Y6 have been doing in their science topic work (and relevant links) To encourage family engagement with Y6 science and topic learning

The children showed their work to their parents. The work seen was very good quality – neat, informative, engaging. There were several examples of working outdoors (e.g. doing a science investigation on the grass on the school field) and of the children doing investigative work (such as the natural selection experiment). It was also notable that children and their parents were very engaged in the classroom session afterwards, with children being rightly proud of their work and family members taking obvious interest.

24.2.16 Nurture group launched Year 5 To provide a different learning opportunity for vulnerable group of chn in Year 5 (incl. outdoor learning) To work towards RSPB Wildlife Award To supplement science curriculum

Chn very enthusiastic. TA taking on initiative for planning activities for Wildlife Award which supports curriculum objectives

3.3.16 Recycling assembly – How can we reuse materials?

(Landfill orchestra)

Whole school To encourage children to think about the issue of recycling in school and being waste aware.

To encourage children to think about how materials can be reused and recycled.

9.3.16 Bird of Prey visit to school Reception To support topic and science learning about birds. To give children a hands on learning experience.

Children learnt the names of different birds of prey and key features of their bodies. They carefully handled different birds and extended their language. They listened to information given by the keeper and followed up with written work and labelled diagrams.

10.3.16 Parent Science Workshop

Parents from all year groups

To enthuse, inform and inspire parents to carry out science related activities at home.

Parents were very enthusiastic. They participated well and found it insightful. They were surprised that ‘science is all around us’. All said it had increased their confidence about trying out science investigations at home with their children.

To learn about science capital and importance of parental attitudes

To learn about school approach to science teaching and learning

To try out some ‘kitchen science’ activities.

Evening was covered in the local newspaper highlighting positive quotes from parents.

11.3.16 Home learning science challenge launched for British Science Week

Whole school Initiative sent home to challenge parents and children to carry out a science investigation at home to mark science week.

Children and parents experimented with science together at home. Evidence sent in to school e.g. photos, examples, writing. Children shared learning with class.

12.3.16 Whole school science exhibition linked to home

learning challenge

Whole school To celebrate and mark independent science learning. To enthuse other children to join in science challenge.

Children shared learning and ideas. They inspired others to have a go. Talk for science increased and there was a buzz for science across the school.

14.3.16 – 18.3.16

Brancaster residential field trip

Years 3 and 4 To provide field study opportunities for different habitats and environments linking to science curriculum (plus others). Children to study contrasting environments to local area. E.g coastal. To gain independence.

Children learnt about different habitats to home and school environment e.g. salt marsh. They were able to compare and contrast to home environment.

15.3.16 STEM Ambassador presenting in whole

school assembly

Whole School Following on from school council collection of pupil voice, to challenge children’s views that scientists are ‘men in white coats mixing potions’. To enable children to learn about the job of a medical scientist and challenge gender issues and promote women in science. (Woman STEM Ambassador)

Children found the talk interesting and informative. During science club that evening, several Year 4 girls told me they had been inspired to want to do something amazing to help people and become a medical scientist!

30.3.16 Whole school walk from space station to Earth

Whole School To raise money through a sponsored walk, highlighting an event of national interest.

Children were excited learning about Tim Peake’s mission to space. They began to appreciate the distance between the space station and Earth through the sponsored walk.

20.4.16 Launch of Rocket Seeds investigation

Year 5 group To carry out a National project. To challenge an able group of Year 5 scientists to independently run an investigation and report back to others.

The group in charge, did a fantastic job of controlling and monitoring the investigation, ensuring it was carried out in control conditions. This extended their thinking. They also report back to the school on their findings so other children learnt too.

28.4.16 to end of year

STEM Ambassador joins after school science club

(weekly)

Year 4 To share expertise and knowledge and support learning in extra-curricular science club.

Children have benefitted from specialist knowledge and had opportunities to carry out investigations. It has enriched learning in class.

4.5.16 Trip to local village and woods

Year 2 To support topic and learning about woodland habitats

Children enjoyed learning in the woods and exploring a different habitat. They followed up this visit in their science work in class.

5.5.16 Visit to school by Outreach teacher at local

Specialist Science and Technology School

Year 5 To work with Year 5 children and teacher on current science topic. To extend and reinforce objectives and current learning.

Children carried out experiments with specialist equipment and materials from the secondary school which we do not have in school. They enjoyed being ‘real scientists’. Learning was extended beyond original teacher objectives. The teacher found it a helpful development for own subject knowledge.

10.5.16 Visit to local Nature Reserve

Year 4 To support topic and science learning about habitats.

Children learnt about the habitat of a ‘pond’ through pond dipping and exploration of a wetland area. They carried out investigations and learnt about the wildlife. Children enthused about the visit and built on it in their class topic and through home activities.

11.5.16 Nurture group launch sunflower growing

competition

Whole School To raise money for RSPB as part of Wildlife Action Awards. Opportunity for children to challenge peers.

Nurture group provided seeds and growing instructions. Made real life links to curriculum objectives.

17.5.16 Visit by botanist to run plant themed workshops

Reception Year 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

To enrich learning about plants across the curriculum by providing specialist knowledge.

Children enjoyed the interactive workshops and the opportunity to handle different seeds especially the largest seed in the world! Specialist knowledge extended their learning and challenge thinking. Teachers observed different strategies for teaching these concepts.

18.5.16 Botany session for parents and Teaching

Assistants

Wider community

To involve the wider community in opportunities for learning in science. To use and learn from the expertise of a botanist.

A very successful session through which parents and TA’s learnt about the structure of plants, pollination, fertilisation, fruits etc. Knowledge to be shared with children at home and when supporting in school.

25.5.16 Hospital theme day and visit by nurse

Year 2 To support topic learning. Nurse visit to discuss skeleton/body, what makes us ill, hygiene and medicines. Children role played hospitals.

Children enjoyed the cross-curricular theme day to support in their topic linking to both science and PSHE curriculum.

26.5.16 Yr 5 Science challenge day at local University

Year 5 To extend more able children in Year 5 and provide an opportunity for them to carry out deeper investigative work with children from different schools.

This was a highly successful day with excellent feedback received from all schools taking part. Children particularly enjoyed having time to carry out in-depth investigations without feeling rushed which is sometimes the case in school. They enjoyed working as small groups to discuss their ideas.

22.6.16 Camping Day Year 2 To learn outdoors in a fun environment. Children link to a range of areas including building habitats for mini-beasts.

Enriches curriculum taught inside. Provides memorable experiences.

4.7.16 Year 2 Forest School and pond dipping day

Year 2 To explore habitats including pond and to learn about school environment

Children will have the opportunity to further explore different habitats in the school grounds. They will learn about life in the pond.

5.7.16 Visit to local Farm Early Years Children will be able to develop ideas and learn about different animals

Children will learn about the different animals in context and have first-hand experience of handling them.

8.7.16 Sunflower competition ends

Whole school Children are given a real life purpose to apply classroom learning about plants. Nurture group see the results of their competition

Children will see the results of their careful plant handling!

8.7.16 Sound garden is opened Whole school Children will be able to use garden to support learning in science and across the curriculum

Enhances the use of the schools grounds as a resource for science learning

8.7.16 Horticultural Show Whole School and wider

community

Children (and parents) are given a real life purpose to apply classroom learning about plants.

Many children and parents/family have entered this year’s competition. The whole school enjoy and learn from viewing entries.

8.7.16 First Aid Training Year 6 Children learn life-saving skills but also about how the body works

Real life learning for application of science curriculum (learning about the body/respiration etc.)