1. Welcome to PGCE Primary Science
University of Winchester. PGCE Science

2. Welcome Team Rooms Resources, inventory LN Reading pack Portfolio
Course Reading book: Harlen,W. & Qualter,A. (2009) The Teaching of Science in Primary Schools 5th Edition. Oxon: Routledge.

3. Science in the Early Years
What sort of experiences foster early science learning?
University of Winchester. PGCE Science

4. The Early Years Foundation Stage - areas of learning
personal, social and emotional development
language and literacy
mathematical development
knowledge and understanding of
the world (KUW)
physical development
creative development
University of Winchester. PGCE Science

5. University of Winchester. PGCE Science
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Knowledge & Understanding of the World (KUW)
2.13 Children must be supported in developing the knowledge, skills and understanding that help them to make sense of the world.
Investigate objects and materials by using all of their senses as appropriate.
Find out about, and identify, some features of living things, objects and events they observe.
Look closely at similarities, differences, patterns and change.
Ask questions about why things happen and how things work.
University of Winchester. PGCE Science

6. University of Winchester. PGCE Science
Primary Science
How do you perceive the scope of primary science?
University of Winchester. PGCE Science

7. The National Curriculum - Science (DfES 1999)
Browse and note structure of the document –
Sc 1 Scientific Enquiry
Sc2 Life Processes and Living Things
Sc3 Materials and their Properties
Sc 4 Physical Processes
Note Breadth of Study
University of Winchester. PGCE Science

8. Safety in Primary Science
“Risk assessment is little more than common sense and prudent primary teachers do it informally as a matter of course” (Ellis 2001, p7)
University of Winchester. PGCE Science

9. University of Winchester. PGCE Science
Safety in Science
Safety is the legal responsibility of the employer
Teachers have a duty of care towards the children
Most employers adopt County Guidelines and/or ‘Be Safe!’ (Ellis 2001)
Evidence of planning for safe practice is found in lesson plans, schemes and policies.
University of Winchester. PGCE Science

10. University of Winchester. PGCE Science
Hazard and Risk
HAZARD - anything with the potential to cause harm
RISK – the likelihood of actual harm from any hazard
Risk Assessments attempt to avoid PREVENTABLE harm
University of Winchester. PGCE Science

11. University of Winchester. PGCE Science
Teaching Safety
ASE suggest teachers are good at teaching SAFELY, not so good at teaching SAFETY, i.e. pupils learn the rules and implement them without real understanding
Safe practice is a theme in the NC Breadth of Study (BoS)
University of Winchester. PGCE Science

12. University of Winchester. PGCE Science
CLEAPSS
CLEAPSS is an advisory service providing support in science and technology for a consortium of local authorities and their schools including establishments for pupils with special needs.
Note CLEAPSS guides
University of Winchester. PGCE Science

13. University of Winchester. PGCE Science
Safety Workshop
Directed task:
Complete the safety workshop on the Learning Network.
University of Winchester. PGCE Science

14. Collections: developing observation in primary science
Observe one item using the senses appropriately
Refine and develop your observation using magnification and /measurement
Explore fully the range of equipment provided; it is all at primary level (note digital microscopes)
Compare your item with another from your collection, listing similarities and differences
Use the differences as a basis for sorting the complete set
University of Winchester. PGCE Science

15. Developing the skill of Observation
Scientific observation is fundamental to the processes of exploration and investigation
Observation is developmental. Teaching develops and refines the skill and this needs careful planning throughout the key stages
Children should be encouraged to use all their senses in observations, appropriately and safely.
University of Winchester. PGCE Science

16. Developing the skill of Observation
As part of explorations children will
Make use of all the senses
Notice details
Identify similarities and differences
Sequence events
Use aids to observation
Classify using their own criteria
Record their observations in different ways
University of Winchester. PGCE Science

17. University of Winchester. PGCE Science
Classification Keys
… where the sequence and structure of identification steps is fixed by the author of the key. At each point in the key multiple options are offered, each option leading to the next choice. If the entire key consists of exactly two choices at each branching point, the key is called dichotomous.
Examples:
Woodlice key
Buzz Game
University of Winchester. PGCE Science

18. University of Winchester. PGCE Science
Making Keys
Identify the links between sorting and classifying activities and classification techniques.
Use one collection to make a simple identification key.
Note where the skills of observing, sorting and classifying come in the NC.
What are the differences between KS 1 & 2?
University of Winchester. PGCE Science

19. Raising questions for an investigation
Developing observation using your collection:
What would I like to find out about this?
Draw up a list of possible questions prompted by your collection. Can you sort your questions into different types? What are the most appropriate questions for children to investigate?
University of Winchester. PGCE Science

20. University of Winchester. PGCE Science
Children’s questions
Children need:
appropriate stimuli to encourage them to raise questions
time to formulate their own questions
an atmosphere conducive to asking questions
a teacher who acts as a role model in asking questions.
sometimes puppets help
University of Winchester. PGCE Science

21. University of Winchester. PGCE Science
Discovery Dog KS1
Context – Naughty Nora is a mischievous puppy who causes lots of problems. Discovery Dog is Naughty Nora’s uncle. He tries to sort out the problems that she causes, but he needs help from the children to do this. Each story ends with Discovery Dog’s dilemma, which leads to an investigation.
Resources – Investigation Packs: Story booklets, planning frames, CDs linked to key ideas in NC Science
Puppets - Naughty Nora is a small puppet, suitable for children’s hands. Discovery Dog is a larger puppet designed for teachers use.
University of Winchester. PGCE Science

22. University of Winchester. PGCE Science
‘Snail Snacks’
Discovery Dog poses the question
‘Which plants do snails like best?’
Suggest possible investigations
Suggest questions you might ask
to prompt enquiry.
University of Winchester. PGCE Science

23. University of Winchester. PGCE Science
Puppets Project
Exploring the use of puppets to engage and motivate children in conversations which help in their science education.
Keogh, B., Naylor, S., Downing, B., Maloney, J. and Simon, S. (2006) ‘Puppets bringing stories to life’, Primary Science Review 92 pp26-28
University of Winchester. PGCE Science

24. Student led Practical ‘Changing Materials’
Rusty nails/ items
Chocolate buttons/ ice
Balloons, narrow necked small bottles, bicarb and vinegar
Salt /sugar / spoons / beakers /water
glass mirrors / cans of liquid cold from the fridge
dough and bread
popcorn and popped corn
clay & pottery
Plaster of Paris as powder and as set *NOTE SAFETY
alcohol hand gel
Talk about:
What you notice before and after the change?
Is this change
- physical or chemical?
- reversible or irreversible?
Can you talk about how energy is involved?
Note Sc1 skills of predicting and hypothesising
University of Winchester. Part-time PGCE Science EB

25. University of Winchester. PGCE Science
Investigative work
When pupils:
have to make their own decisions
use some investigational procedures e.g. observing, measuring
Definition from AKSIS project in Sherrington, R (1998) ASE Guide to Primary Science Education. Hatfield:Association for Science Education.
University of Winchester. PGCE Science

26. University of Winchester. PGCE Science
Directed tasks
Follow up this session
Read Oliver (2006) in the reading pack Be prepared to discuss the ideas in this chapter.
Read H&Q (2009) Ch1 and Ch 2 from the Primary Science in action section.
Complete the
SAFETY WORKSHOP (LN)
Come ready to do your ‘Lesson’
University of Winchester. PGCE Science

27. University of Winchester. PGCE Science
Directed tasks 2
Building subject knowledge –
competence and confidence.
‘Materials’ - you have been allocated an area of background subject knowledge. Revise your understanding of this idea and be prepared to explain / demonstrate this concept to a small group of colleagues during next session. You will have 5 minutes and equipment will be provided though you may wish to bring additional resources from home.
Complete a risk assessment for your activity. These can be found on the LN in the science section.
University of Winchester. PGCE Science