Science
Science at STM
Purpose
At St Thomas More Catholic Primary School, we aim to foster an enquiring mind and the skills to explore and understand the world in which they live.
Broad Aims
To help in developing and extending the children's scientific understanding of their world.
To develop learners who are confident, responsible, innovative and engaged.
To encourage the development of positive attitudes to science.
To encourage the development of investigation, exploration, collaboration, observation, evaluation and inspiration.
Curriculum
Our curriculum framework for science is designed to engage learners in an active and creative learning journey. The curriculum is drawn from the National curriculum and presented in four content areas: Scientific enquiry, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Scientific enquiry is about considering ideas, evaluating evidence, planning investigative work and recording and analysing data. The Scientific enquiry objectives underpin Biology, Chemistry and Physics, which are focused on developing confidence and interest in scientific knowledge. Environmental awareness and some history of science are also incorporated. At St Thomas More, our curriculum framework provides a solid foundation upon which the later stages of education can be built.
Below are some examples of science learning throughout the year at STM.
EYFS- Understanding the World
The World
In this topic we focussed on this objective 'Explore the natural world around them, making observations and drawing pictures of animals and plants.'
To do this we went on a seasonal walk in our Forest School wooded area. We looked at the bug hotel and recognised how the seasons change the world around us.
We also focussed on the life cycle of a plant and a caterpillar. We read the story 'The Hungry Caterpillar' and looked at how it transitioned from a caterpillar to a butterfly. We looked at how a seed grows into a plant and what it needs for this to happen.
Space
In this topic we learned all about Space and the children could tell us that the planets orbit the sun. Many of the children were able to put the planets in order and they are available as part of our small world play during free flow time. In another Understanding the World lesson we learnt that the sun is a burning ball of gas that is very hot. We learnt that it will melt some solids into liquids. One child was able to tell us that their prediction was wrong after we completed the experiment. and that is all part of learning!
Year 1
Science photosheet 04.03.22.pdfScience photosheet 06.09.22.pdfScience clouds photosheet 03.10.22.pptx.pdfDuring our Paws, Claws and Whiskers topic, we learned all about different animals and their features. We were able to identify carnivores, herbivores and omnivores. We also learnt about mammals, amphibians, reptiles and fish. We had a very exciting visit to Jambs Owls where we learnt all about different owls.
As part of our Showcase afternoons which are run for parents/carers every term. Yr 1 presented their topic 'Splendid Skies' which was science based and the children learned all about the seasons, life cycles and how we grow.
Year 2
Year 2 Sound Map Investigation
SMSC links
Ask questions about the natural, material and physical work in science
British Science Day
For British Science Day we have been focusing on our topic of plants. We planted cress seeds and sunflower seeds. We also planted control seeds by having one seed without darkness and one seed without water. We looked closely at our seeds by dissecting the seeds and identifying that the food store inside the seed is quite solid. We also dissected flowers and sorted the parts of the flower into the petals, stem, leaves and seeds. We looked inside the stem and were intrigued to find that inside the stem it was very wet and a hole in the middle for the water to go up. We enjoyed investigating the plants and seeds and look forward to how our control parts are going to grow.
Investigation Day Photo Sheet.pdf
Year 3
In Year 3 we have loved learning about light, magnetism, the human body and food chains, as well as having a brilliant educational visit to Eagle Heights to learn about predatory birds.
Year 4
In Year 4 this year we have enjoyed building electrical circuits, learning about different states of matter, how the water cycle works. We have carried out lots of investigations, which we love to do! We are looking forward to our upcoming trip to the London Aquarium to support the learning for our new topic, The Blue Abyss.
Year 5
In Year 5 we have enjoyed our different science topics - Earth and space, forces, living things and their habitats and animals, including humans. we have developed our 'working Scientifically' skills through observation, exploration, comparing, measuring and interpreting results. We particularly enjoyed our trip to Bursted Woods where we carried out a mini beast hunt!
Year 6
In Year 6 we are excellent scientists and have enjoyed our science topics so far this year. Our STM modules of Frozen Kingdom, Darwins Delights and ID were especially engaging and allowed us to develop all of our science skills and knowledge ready for secondary school!
Extra-curricular science at STM
Scotty's Science Club
We were so pleased to welcome Gary from Scotty's Science Club in for an assembly to tell everyone about the Science club which is available to pupils in KS2 in the Autumn term and KS1 in the Spring term.
We LOVE Science at STM!
Fun Science sessions at Townley Grammar
Girls from Year 5 have the opportunity at attend workshops at Townley Grammar after school. This term the workshop is all about Forensic Science!