The Importance of Working Scientifically Skills

As teachers, you’re usually tasked with the responsibility of making sure that your pupils master essential subject knowledge. Whether it’s understanding how plants grow or how gravity works, it’s easy for subject knowledge to dominate your science curriculum. However, the working scientifically skills, critical for developing a scientific mindset, are just as essential as the factual knowledge you teach, and they equip children with lifelong abilities that extend far beyond the classroom. 

A reminder of what the Working Scientifically Skills are

The term ‘working scientifically’ refers to the methods and processes pupils use to explore and understand the world scientifically. In KS1 and KS2, they include the following: 

• Asking questions
• Setting up practical experiments 
• Making observations 
• Collecting and recording data 
• Drawing conclusions.

By honing these abilities, children don’t just learn scientific facts; they begin to think and behave like scientists. For instance, rather than simply memorising facts about different materials, children learn to ask questions such as ‘What properties make some materials better conductors than others?’ They can then design experiments, observe results and analyse data to answer these questions. This hands-on, exploratory learning encourages curiosity, problem-solving and critical thinking - traits that are invaluable in all areas of life, not just the classroom. 

Why Working Scientifically Skills are Often Overlooked 

In a busy classroom, it’s easy to focus on ticking off curriculum objectives and making sure that pupils leave with solid subject knowledge. After all, subject knowledge is easier to quantify and measure - children either know the difference between vertebrates and invertebrates, or they don’t. In contrast, teaching working scientifically skills can sometimes feel less tangible and more time-consuming. 

Furthermore, these skills require a different teaching approach. Rather than providing direct answers, you need to act as a facilitator, encouraging pupils to take the lead in their learning. This can feel more unpredictable and can result in a shift in classroom dynamics. However, the benefits of developing these skills are substantial. 

The long-term value of Working Scientifically Skills 

Working scientifically teaches children more than just how to ‘do’ science - they encourage critical thinking and adaptability. These are essential skills not only for future scientists but for any child navigating an increasingly complex world. For example, when pupils learn how to hypothesise, test ideas and refine their conclusions, they are also learning how to tackle problems methodically, analyse information critically and remain open to change when faced with new evidence. 

Beyond the classroom, these skills are transferable to a wide range of life situations. From evaluating the news they read online to deciding which products to buy based on evidence, pupils with strong working scientifically skills are better prepared to make informed decisions in the real world. 

What to expect from our Working Scientifically Live Lesson 

Our upcoming live lesson - entitled ‘Master Your Scientific Skills’ for Years 1-3 and ‘The Investigators’ Guide to Working Scientifically’ for Years 4-6 - is designed to be an immersive experience that will inspire both you and your pupils. Here’s what you can expect: 

• Structured activities for your class to complete 
• Expert knowledge and demonstrations from Scientist Sam 
• Simple experiments and results 
• Explanations of how to conduct an experiment safely and accurately 
• Explanations of how to create a hypothesis and write a conclusion
• The opportunity for your pupils to conduct their own scientific investigation.

The live lesson aims to give your pupils the confidence and tools they need to embrace the working scientifically skills. You’ll not only see how engaging and enriching these can be, but will leave with a solid foundation for making scientific skills a core part of your classroom experience. We can’t wait to see you there!