Our Vision for Science at Jupiter Primary School

Science is simply the word we use to describe a method of organising our curiosity.

Tim Minchin

Science at Jupiter Primary School has the WOW factor! All in our school community are curious about the world, asking and answering our own questions. Children lead their own learning, directing their own investigations and lines of enquiry. Our lessons reflect the interests of our school community and current issues in our environment and the wider world.

Children have fun whilst learning, working well with others on challenges and when solving problems. They are encouraged to reflect on their learning and to consider the implications of their Science learning for their own lives.

Lessons are practical and well resourced. Our lessons involve the five 'E's of...

EXCITE           EXPLORE      ENGAGE       ENQURIE      EXPLAIN

 

Our Science Curriculum

The word 'science' comes from the Latin "scientia" meaning knowledge. For our children, science is knowledge attained through their exploration of the world around them, through investigation.

At Jupiter Primary School, we encourage children to actively learn, by developing their own investigations based on initial ideas given by the teacher, or their own ideas based on current scientific knowledge and understanding. Our children study the physical world, collecting knowledge and facts from their observations, physical experiments and through working scientifically and forming their understanding and ideas about the world. Our Science lessons have a heavy emphasis on investigation involving prediction, observation, testing and evaluation.

Our science learning encompasses the development of knowledge, concepts, skills and positive attitudes. Throughout their time at Jupiter, the children will acquire and develop key knowledge and scientific skills identified as relevant for each year group, building on previous learning and preparing them for what is to come. Children apply their knowledge of science when using equipment, conducting experiments, forming arguments and hypotheses and explaining concepts. They are encouraged to ask questions and be curious about their surroundings. Specialist vocabulary for topics is taught throughout, while effective questioning to communicate ideas is encouraged. Concepts taught are reinforced by focusing on the key features of scientific enquiry, so that pupils learn to use a variety of approaches to answer relevant scientific questions.