Darwin is the Missing Link Famous Scientists Adapted from workshop presented by Alex Sinclair Amy Strachan https://www.ase.org.uk/journals/primary-science/2016/11/145/ (open access article) @SIMMSPriScience

Darwin is the Missing Link What scientists does the NC suggest are studied? Darwin is the Missing Link A B C D Isaac Newton Jane Goodall John Dunlop Charles Macintosh E F G H I J Alfred Wallace Mary Anning Charles Darwin Carl Linnaeus Galileo Galilei John MacAdam K L M N O P Claudius Ptolemy Nicolaus Copernicus Spencer Silver Ruth Benerito David Attenborough Alhazen

1 5 2 6 3 7 4 8 PATTERN-SEEKER ISAAC NEWTON MODEL MAKER GALILEI GALILEO 1 5 PROBLEM-SOLVER JOHN DUNLOP FAIR-TESTER CHARLES MACINTOSH 2 6 IDENTIFIER CARL LINNEAUS OBSERVER OVER TIME JANE GOODALL 3 7 RESEARCHER CHARLES DARWIN ACCIDENTAL DISCOVERER SPENCER SILVER 4 8

Darwin is the Missing Link How are teachers using famous scientists within their science lessons? By asking leaders of science in primary schools through a questionnaire, we have discovered a broad range of ways in which schools are integrating famous scientists in their schemes of work. We want to share another opportunity…. We think that science is often perceived as…something static with fixed answers. If the work and lives of scientists are studied it can give children the opportunity to understand the messy and changing nature of science. NC scientific ideas changing and developing over time

May seem far fetched but this is what scientists thought at the time What did people already know? May seem far fetched but this is what scientists thought at the time What did the scientist notice? Observations instigate doubt about current understanding What question do you think the scientist asked? Importance of asking the right questions – ones that are investigable What method of enquiry did the scientist use and what did they do? Different questions require different approaches Problem-solving, pattern seeking, researching, fair / comparative testing, observing over time, classifying and grouping What did other scientists do next? Enquiry is not linear, it is a continuous process Emphasis on evaluation phase Further questions should happen for all enquiries What did the scientist find out? What would you do next? Identify further areas of enquiry to show dynamic nature of scientific knowledge

HOW DO THESE ACTIVITIES FIT INTO THE MODEL?

Plesiosaurus On 10th December 1823, Mary Anning found the first complete plesiosaurus.

Examples from Year 3

There were problems with making materials waterproof What did people already know? People used lots of different ways to keep dry in the past – e.g. oiled silk and waxed clothes Charles Mackintosh What did the scientist notice? There were problems with making materials waterproof What question do you think the scientist asked? How can I make waterproof material more easily? What method of enquiry did the scientist use and what did they do? He brushed different substances onto cheap cotton and compared how waterproof they were (fair testing). Problem-solving, pattern seeking, researching, fair / comparative testing, observing over time, classifying and grouping What did other scientists do next? Since then…scientists have developed other materials including gortex and voomi What did the scientist find out? Spreading glue between two layers of cotton was the best method to create waterproof cloth What would you do next?

- Using the scientists in the N/C is a good starting point - A range of scientists must be celebrated to challenge stereotypes - Local scientists and modern scientists could be integrated into all areas of the curriculum BOTTOM LINE: Scientific ideas change over time and we are continually building on the work of previous scientists’ work…

How do we make it?

Darwin is the Missing Link If you would like these slides or would like further information, please drop us an email. Alex Sinclair (alex.sinclair@stmarys.ac.uk) Amy Strachan (amy.strachan@stmarys.ac.uk) @SIMMSPriScience https://padlet.com/StMarysresources/StMaryScience