How fresh are your fruits? – A gas measurement exercise

By Richard Needham This is a simple exercise involving measuring gases, which reveals some surprising secrets. It can give rise to interesting discussions around what we mean as scientists by the term ‘living’. You can do this activity at any level in school – the data you collect could be used: Key Stage 1 – [...]

Improving Gifted and Talented Children in Primary Science

In this video Nicola Waller, Professional Development Leader, at the National Science Learning Centre talks about how her course will help primary teachers to develop their gifted and talented pupils.  The course is called Extending Gifted and Talented Children in Primary Science.

Merry Christmas from the Science Learning Centres

Welcome to the last of our resource and activity gifts for Christmas. A huge thank you to all of our delegates who have participated at one of the Science Learning Centres across the country this year. Here are the last of our resources for you to share, use or take inspiration from. Primary (Please scroll [...]

12 Christmas activities in the science classroom

Ho ho ho.  It’s the last few days of school before the Christmas holidays and your pupils are all far too excited to concentrate on anything other than the looming visit by the big man in red  – and the possibility of making snowmen. So how do you keep their minds engaged on the subject, [...]

Using ICT to Enhance Primary Science

Learn how the National Science Learning Centre’s course  “Using ICT to Enhance Primary Science” will benefit teachers, schools and of course pupils.  Course Leader Tanya Shields.   Go to the National Science Learning Centre website for more details on Using ICT to Enhance Primary Science

Winter Primary Science Activities

As a seasonal treat we have filmed a couple of activities to get primary pupils discussing the properties of snow and ice: Watch the video

Caterpillar Camouflage

In this video Zoe Crompton explains Assessment Focus 3: Communicating and Collaborating in Science and the importance of finding time for children to talk about patterns in their results. Here is the mobile version, a higher resolution non mobile version can be found lower down: To help you with Assessment for Learning the national network [...]

Introducing the Professional Award in Science Teaching and Learning

The Science Learning Centres are running a new professional qualification which recognises teachers’ development as a result of attending CPD courses and puts them on the path towards master’s level qualifications. Watch the video to find out more:

Understanding the Applications and Implications of Science

In this video, Zoe Crompton explains Assessment Focus 2: Understanding the Applications and Implications of Science. More information about this experiment can be found on the Primary Upd8 website. Related courses The Leading Assessment for Learning Course at the National Science Learning Centre will help you use AfL effectively by developing your everyday Assessment for [...]

How Can We Use APP Effectively in Science?

In this video, Zoe Crompton explains Assessment Focus 1: Thinking Scientifically and the sort of practical activities you could do with children that get them thinking and talking about science. The national network of Science Learning Centres are offering a number of courses to support the implementation of APP. View courses. More information on APP [...]