KS1, KS2, and KS3 science lessons - Developing Experts launches new-style Mission Assignment films

Take a look at our new-style science experiment films for KS1, KS2 and KS3 science lessons.

“The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.” Mark Van Doren

Here at Developing Experts, we are always looking at ways to improve and develop our product.  In recent weeks, we have been working on producing a new-style mission assignment film for KS2 and KS3 science lessons.

Mission Assignments contain a mixture of fun science experiments, challenging activities, and intriguing investigations for children to take in class or at home.  All filmed in our studios, they offer teachers and tutors the opportunity to watch the assignments take place before conducting them in the classroom.

Each assignment is clearly linked to an area of scientific enquiry and relates to at least one of the National Curriculum’s ‘Working Scientifically Skills’ for KS1, KS2 or KS3 science lessons.  This ensures depth and rigour to all practical and written tasks.

Having conducted some research into the way children learn best through video and audio input, we know that carefully scaffolding learning for children is key to outcomes.  This is primarily achieved by our 5 E’s approach (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate) and also our storytelling approach to lessons, which runs throughout KS1, KS2 and KS3 science lessons.  However, we also felt that our film output could benefit from a more ‘chunked’ approach with more colourful visuals to appeal.

Our new-style films contain colourful house-style graphics to separate three phases of each film.  The first phase is a snappy review of key points, emphasising the most important facts and knowledge taught during the lesson.  

“Create a truly aspirational school culture with knowledge at its core and all teachers can secure strong outcomes for every student.”  Luke Sparkes and Jenny Thompson Principal and Head of School, Dixons Trinity Academy.

The second phase guides teachers and learners towards the set-up and an example of the activity. Again, this runs throughout KS1, KS2, and KS3 science lessons.  This outlines materials and resources needed as well as guidance from our science teachers and presenters on how to accurately and safely set up for the assignment task.  A Wellcome Trust survey (2017) found that, due to a lack of resources or even a lack of confidence, many primary-based science teachers rarely conduct experiments or investigations with children during KS1, KS2, or KS3 science lessons. Let Developing Experts guide teachers to a position of empowerment.

Then comes the spoiler alert!  It is obvious to us that if we gave all the answers, there would be less enthusiasm for learner-led discovery and enquiry.  This spoiler alert means the teacher can pause the film to allow for the experiment or investigation to take place in the classroom.  Pressing play again will then allow the teacher to show the end result of the assignment task, offering an opportunity for you to compare your results to ours.   

Are your results the same as ours?    

Does it matter?  

If we all achieved the same outcome, would new scientific discoveries occur?

“If you do an experiment and it gives you what you did not expect, it is a discovery.”
Martin Chalfie

This offers the opportunity to move naturally into the evaluation phase of the lesson: discussing results, debating different conclusions and considering why the outcomes came to be. This is an essential aspect of KS1 - KS3 science lessons.

Take our missions now and realise your scientific potential!  

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