Science

Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science.

-Edwin Powell Hubble

The scientist is not a person who gives the right answers, he's one who asks the right questions.

-Claude Levi-Strauss

Intent

At Bishops Waltham Infant School, we foster a hands-on curiosity for exploration of the world. We strive for the children to develop their ideas and ways of working that will enable them to make sense of the world in which they live through practical investigation. We develop children’s enjoyment and interest in science and build on their enthusiasm, encouraging them to ask questions, experiment and reflect in a safe environment, enabling them to acquire and apply skills which equip them for an ever-changing world.

Implementation

At Bishops Waltham Infant School, Science is taught following the aims and content of the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory guidance and National Curriculum. It is taught through our carefully planned and exciting integrated curriculum. Our Science teaching provides children with first-hand experiences and opportunities to work scientifically in order to develop their scientific understanding. The children are encouraged to be curious and ask questions about what they notice. They are helped to develop their understanding of scientific ideas by using different types of scientific enquiry to answer their own questions, including observing changes over a period of time, noticing patterns, grouping and classifying things, carrying out simple comparative tests, and finding things out using for example, books, photographs and videos. We encourage our children to use simple scientific language to talk about what they have found out and communicate and record their ideas and findings in a variety of ways.

We use both our indoor and outdoor environment to support the teaching and learning of Science. Most lessons are taught through the use of first-hand practical experiences using our beautiful school grounds and also through educational visits such as to the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Longdown Activity Farm and Marwell Zoo. We also invite visitors in where possible to support the learning.

Impact

Our aim is for our children to develop a real sense of awe and wonder about the world they live in. They will have a good understanding of key scientific concepts and skills and be able to communicate their ideas using scientific vocabulary.