Scientific Enquiry
Unit Summary
This unit ‘Scientific Enquiry’ takes children through six lessons where they learn the scientific skills they will need to apply during each unit of learning during key stage 2. Specifically, they will learn how to:
- ask relevant questions and use different types of scientific enquiries to answer them
- set up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests
- make systematic and careful observations and, where appropriate, take accurate measurements using standard units, and use a range of equipment, including thermometers and data loggers
- gather, record, classify and present data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions
- record findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams, keys, bar charts, and tables
- report on findings from enquiries, including oral and written explanations, displays or presentations of results and conclusions
- use results to draw simple conclusions, make predictions for new values, suggest improvements and raise further questions
- identify differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas and processes
- use straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings.
- The lessons have been written in sequence and are designed to challenge children to recall the knowledge and skills they have covered in the previous lesson(s).
During this unit you will hear from the following industry experts from ARC:
Name: Job Title:
1. Michael Ward NNL Material Scientist
2. Eilah Pemberton Sellafield Ltd. Nuclear Operator
3. Georgia Nevins Sellafield Ltd. Nuclear Operator Apprentice
4. Jessica Gunning NNL Scientific Apprentice
5. Daniel McArthur NNL Research Technologist
6. Samantha Beadsmoore NNL Chemical Analyst
This unit has been written by
Clare Faulkner
Clare is an experienced primary school teacher, having worked across both Key Stage 1 and Early Years. Before joining Developing Experts, Clare worked as a Quality Assurance Inspector for a childcare agency, following OFSTED's inspection criteria. Clare is passionate about education and ensuring children's learning is exciting and fun!
In her spare time, Clare is also a mother of two very active children and lots of animals! She enjoys a variety of sports and loves the outdoors!
Heather Bingham
Heather qualified with a first-class honours degree in climate science from the University of East Anglia. Since, she has joined Developing Experts as a writer and presenter, specialising in earth and environmental sciences.
She is also an internationally published science author, having written a series of CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) digital textbooks aimed at improving learners’ understanding of English whilst igniting an interest in science.
Katie Barrie
Katie is the Chief Operating Officer at DE, which means she oversees HR, finance and our business model. After studying Drama at Exeter University, Katie spent three years as a primary teacher, before relocating to Norfolk and joining Developing Experts.
In her spare time, Katie likes to sing with Norwich Harmony barbershop chorus and has recently formed a quartet. Katie loves cooking and spending time with her husband, Bryan and dog, Bertie. She has an endearing laugh, which has to be heard to be believed. Many of us see Katie as the office 'Mum', she gives great hugs and keeps our spirits up.
Contact: [email protected]
Sarah Mintey MBE
Sarah is a former headteacher and charity CEO who founded Developing Experts in October 2015 with the goal to create a fit-for-purpose curriculum for schools. The company has created a science curriculum for children ages 4-16 which is delivered through sequenced lessons mapped against the National Curriculum in biology, chemistry, and physics. Developing Expert's innovative approach to learning has already been road-tested and voted 'best EdTech product in Europe', winning Tech Nation’s Rising Stars earlier in 2019 and a place on Google for Startups Immersion program 2020. In 2022 Developing Experts won the BETT Awards for Best Classroom Resource - Teaching Aid. Sarah is a 'LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leader' 2022. In October 2022 Developing Experts joined Tech Nation's Upscale 8.0 programme.
Sarah is delighted to be working with over 6500 UK schools and clients such as the Royal Horticulture Society, Network Rail, Rolls Royce, BEIS, National Nuclear Labs, Anglian Water and the Ministry of Defence.
Sarah was awarded an MBE for her services to tech and education in 2020.
Lessons
Enquiry Skill - Asking questions
Asking relevant questions that can be answered from their learning of scientific concepts. This may be through scientific enquiries, applying prior knowledge or research.
Enquiry Approach - Comparative / fair testing
Conducting a test that controls all but one variable to answer a scientific question.
Enquiry Approach - Observation over time
Observing changes that occur over a long or short period of time.
Enquiry Skill - Recording data, results and findings
Using tables, a variety of graphs, labelled diagrams and models to record observations, measurements, results and findings.
Enquiry Skill - Making predictions
Using prior knowledge to make informed suggestions on what may happen in a scientific enquiry.
Enquiry Approach - Comparative / fair testing
Conducting a test that controls all but one variable to answer a scientific question.
Enquiry Approach - Observation over time
Observing changes that occur over a long or short period of time.
Enquiry Skill - Interpreting and communicating results
Using information, results and data to present findings, including oral and written explanations.
Enquiry Skill - Setting up tests
Carefully following a method and using equipment accurately to carry out a scientific enquiry. The method may be designed by teachers or children themselves.
Enquiry Approach - Comparative / fair testing
Conducting a test that controls all but one variable to answer a scientific question.
Enquiry Skill - Interpreting and communicating results
Using information, results and data to present findings, including oral and written explanations.
Enquiry Approach - Comparative / fair testing
Conducting a test that controls all but one variable to answer a scientific question.