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Explorify was informed by our TDTS research and uses some TDTS discussion strategies, such as Odd One Out and PMI.

https://explorify.uk/

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Explorify is an exciting programme of free activities for primary school teachers. | Spark Curiosity | Develop Thinking Skills | Increase Your Impact.

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Primary Science Capital Teaching Approach

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Primary Science Capital Teaching Approach

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https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10136335/1/UCL%20PSCTA%20Teachers%20science%20pack%20Interactive%20sml.pdf

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https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10080166/1/the-science-capital-teaching-approach-pack-for-teachers.pdf

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0t70bwPD6Y

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https://tdts.org.uk/

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Welcome to Thinking, Doing, Talking Science (TDTS). TDTS is an interactive four-day training programme for teachers that focuses on developing creative and challenging science lessons that encourage pupils to use higher-order thinking skills.

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Home

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Our Space Our Future Literature Review Findings

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Our Space Our Future Literature Review Findings

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As part of the Our Space Our Future project, the team conducted an in-depth literature review to help inform our approach to communicating space science to the next generation. https://youtu.be/uZH8BDY379U

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Our Space Our Future - Literature Review Explained

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Rewatch the Teachers event 'Inclusive STEM Education'

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Rewatch the Teachers event 'Inclusive STEM Education'

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Students are interested in space science but do not consider it something relevant for them or their future career. Watch our STEM education event that discusses:
- baseline date from the project so far
- ‘science capital’ research on interest vs aspiration and how teachers might address this imbalance
- ‘thinking, doing, talking, science’ - simple techniques that studies have been shown to raise attainment in science for girls, lower attaining students and students on FSM
- how to borrow the £750 IR camera + some fun demo ideas for your class

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXyXzr13OaY

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Our Space Our Future Inclusive STEM Education

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A version of the 4-day TDTS course can be booked by individual teachers via STEM Learning Ltd, at the STEM Learning Centre in York. Bursaries for the course are available for some schools.

https://www.stem.org.uk/cpd/ondemand/462846/leading-thinking-doing-talking-approach-primary-science

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This course is based upon the highly successful 'Thinking, Doing, Talking Science' project from Oxford which works on the premise that science lessons which are most successful at engaging and motivating pupils and raising their attainment feature more practical activity, deeper thinking, more discussion, less (but more focused) writing and more questioning.

Research has shown that this approach has a positive impact on pupils' attitudes to science, science lessons and practical work in particular. Learn how to embed a range of strategies across different areas of the primary science curriculum and lead this approach throughout your school.

Primary teachers and primary science leaders.

This four day course covers:

higher order thinking skills

practical prompts for thinking and hands-on challenges

materials activities

sound and light activities

data logging challenges

plants, animals and evolutionary ideas

forces activities

gears, levers and pulleys activities

leading challenge and change in your school

This course will be delivered face to face with participant tasks to be completed between sessions.

This is a four day intensive course, split into two residential periods.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

clarify appropriate standards of expectation in primary science and provide a rich and stimulating environment for children

develop a range of strategies to promote learning using higher level thinking skills, effective questioning and discussion

become more confident in developing and leading a range of practical enrichment activities

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Leading the thinking, doing, talking approach in primary science | STEM

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This course is based upon the highly successful 'Thinking, Doing, Talking Science' project from Oxford which works on the premise that science lessons which are most successful at engaging and motivating pupils and raising their attainment feature more practical activity, deeper thinking, more discussion, less (but more focused) writing and more questioning.

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Online Resources based on Thinking, Doing, Talking Science approach

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Online Resources based on Thinking, Doing, Talking Science approach

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The Bright Ideas Time resource on the Primary Science Teaching Trust website:
https://pstt.org.uk/resources/curriculum-materials/bright-ideas

Science Oxford has also created some online resources based on the TDTS approach:
https://scienceoxford.com/resources/science-oxford-bright-ideas/
https://scienceoxford.com/resources/science-oxford-challenges/

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Strategies to encourage higher order thinking in science through dedicated discussion slots

The AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust (now the PSTT) funded a two-year Conceptual Challenge in Primary Science project (2002-4) at Oxford Brookes University involving 16 Oxfordshire primary schools.

The Bright Ideas Time was developed as part of this project and offers strategies to encourage pupils to develop their thinking though talking about science in a dedicated discussion slot. Short focussed discussions using a 'discussion prompt' to stimulate thinking and talking and encourage the children to share their ideas were developed. The 'discussion prompts' included:

'Odd One Out'
'PMI' (Positive Minus Interesting)

'Big Question'

Bright Ideas Time is suitable for children of all ages and abilities. It does not need to take more than 10 minutes and can take place at any time in the lesson. The classroom ethos is important so that all ideas are valued, and it is acceptable for pupils to take risks in their thinking and sometimes to be wrong.

PSTT's original Bright Ideas CPD Unit explained how and why Bright Ideas strategies encourage higher order thinking in primary science and had over 12,000 viewings. Unfortunately, beacuse of changes in technology, all the videos in this resource are no longer accessible and we have had to remove it.

You can click on the tabs below to find out more about recent developments and revised Bright Ideas resources.

Developments

The teachers taking part in the original Conceptual Challenge in Primary Science project (2002-4) adapted their science lessons in the following ways:

More emphasis on pupils' independent scientific thinking

Increased time within lessons spent in discussion of scientific ideas using 'Bright Ideas'

More focused recording by the pupils so less, but better writing

More time for hands-on, practical investigations.

A controlled trial of 32 English primary schools suggested that this creative approach to primary science, with an increased focus on thinking, doing and talking, improved pupils' attainment in science. The details of this trial can be found here.

In 2012-15, the Educational Endowment Fund (EEF) funded Science Oxford and Oxford Brookes University to develop this work further in the Thinking, Doing, Talking Science project (TDTS): encouraging teachers to help children develop their thinking skills through science, using the content of the science curriculum. In an initial trial of 40 schools, TDTS pupils made three additional months' progress in science, on average, compared with pupils whose teachers did not receive TDTS training. There was a particularly positive effect for girls and pupils with low prior attainment. However, a second trial of 205 schools has found no evidence of an impact on pupils' science attainment on average, though pupil interest in, and self-efficacy in science was increased. Details about the TDTS project can be found here.

Bright Ideas and other PSTT-funded work from Oxford Brookes University is described in Creativity in Primary Science: Illustrations from the classroom.

Creativity in Primary Science: [4.30MB]

Illustrations from the classroom
DOWNLOAD

The Wellcome Trust has developed the Explorify website as a resource for schools. They have drawn upon the evidence from the Thinking, Doing, Talking Science project by including examples of the Odd One Out, PMI and the Big Questions in those materials.

Odd One Out

This is probably the easiest Bright Ideas Time for teachers to try and children to access. It was developed by Mike Dennis whilst working with Science Oxford.

The Odd One Out is chosen to link to the theme of the science lesson. Pupils are shown 3 or 4 different pictures (or real objects whenever possible) and given a couple of minutes thinking time. Then they are asked to say which is the odd one out and why. The 'why' is key - the pupils justify their reasoning and so reveal their thinking. The pictures or objects are chosen so that there are no right or wrong answers. From the children's responses, teachers can identify common misconceptions and gain an insight into the children's conceptual understanding.

There are many ways of using an Odd One Out:

Ask pupils to select and justify one object as the Odd One Out and explain why.

Ask pupils if they can find a reason for each of the objects to be an Odd One Out.

Sometimes it is helpful at the beginning of a topic (before teaching) to use an Odd One Out activity and repeat the same activity towards the end of the unit of teaching. The teacher could make notes on differences in pupils' responses to show progression in learning.

An example from Freeland Primary School:

In this example, the teacher could identify some pupils' misconceptions: humans are not animals; cats have 9 lives! Also, the teacher could identify that one child has a good grasp of science knowledge, knowing that a bird is not a mammal.

Top Tips:

Make sure that all the children know what the pictures or objects are.

You could ask the pupils to 'pair share' before starting a class discussion. This may give confidence to reticent children to share their ideas.

Encourage the children to be as creative as they wish as long as they can provide a reason.

The Odd One Out prompt should link directly to the subject area being taught in the science lesson and can be used as an elicitation task or an Assessment for Learning tool.

Examples of Odd One Out ready to use in the classroom are available here. Once you have tried a few, you might like to make your own to suit the topics that you are teaching.

PMI

De Bono and Fisher are amongst many researchers who have developed methods to encourage pupil's thinking. PMI is one of these.

The pupils are given a scenario - a statement - and then consider, in turn with a few minutes on each:

P: the positives

M: the minuses

I: the interesting associated ideas

An example from St. Andrew's Primary School:

Scenario: People have their own plant-like green skin, so they can create their own food in sunlight

Pupils' PMI responses:

P - Poor people wouldn't starve

M - You might not be able to lie still to sunbathe - you'd get a sugar rush and have to run around!

I - Would diabetes be a problem or not? Would you not need sleep?

In this example the pupils demonstrate their current understanding of the purpose of photosynthesis, and their ability to apply their understanding in a way that provokes further discussion. Science is a creative subject and PMI activities allow pupils' imaginations to play a full part in science lessons.

Top Tips:

Children could share their ideas in pairs or small groups before opening the discussion to the whole class.

Teachers may scribe pupil's comments to collect evidence of children's conceptual knowledge as well as their thinking and reasoning in science.

Children may sometimes like to jot their ideas on a whiteboard before discussing with others.

Examples of PMI to use in the classroom can be downloaded here.

Big Question

Asking a 'Big Question' offers teachers an opportunity to find out the depth of their pupil's thinking and offers pupils an opportunity to express their understanding verbally. It is a very useful strategy to identify the next steps for teaching and learning. You may wish to show a picture, an object or a simple demonstration of a process to engage the pupils and to support your question.

An example of a Big Question from Rush Common Primary School:
Over time a seedling grows into a large tree - where did the mass of the large tree come from?

Pupils' responses:

'The roots drink water and eats the nutrients to keep it alive and grow.'

This pupil knows that plants acquire water from the soil through the roots but has confused minerals (which are dissolved in the water and enter the plant through the roots) with. Does this pupil know anything about photosynthesis?

'The tree weighs more because of food and water it has eaten in past years. The tree doesn't have a mouth, so the grass collects all of the food and water then it goes down to the roots also the tree likes rain better than house pipe water.'

This pupil has revealed a misconception: that the grass is somehow supporting the tree.

'The leaves suck in the sunlight and convert it to energy, using the chemical, chlorophyll. This process is called 'photosynthesis.''

This pupil has applied his/her knowledge of photosynthesis but has revealed a misconception: leaves 'suck' in the light. Perhaps the next steps would be a conversation about how light travels and an investigation to look at the top and under sides of leaves to see where most chlorophyll might be situated.

'It has come from the branches.'

This pupil knows that the branches make up most of the mass of the full tree (rather than the leaves). Perhaps this pupil has interpreted the question differently and the teacher needs to ask further questions to ascertain the pupil's understanding of photosynthesis and transpiration: Humans get heavier because they eat food and drink, but how does the tree get its food?

Top Tips:

Asking a Big Question before a new unit of work is taught reveals children's current understanding and is a great elicitation task.

Asking a Big Question after teaching a unit of work is a useful assessment tool. You may wish to scribe some pupils' comments as evidence of their conceptual understanding. This can be particularly useful for children who have poor literacy skills.

Some pupils may show more understanding when the Big Question is reframed or reworded.

Examples of Big Questions ready to use in the classroom can be downloaded here. The examples are accompanied with some subject knowledge so that no one need be afraid of asking Big Questions.

Safety Notice and Disclaimer

The PSTT advises teachers to refer to either the CLEAPSS website or SSERC website for up to date health and safety information when planning practical activities for children.

The PSTT is not liable for the actions or activities of any reader or anyone else who uses the information in these resource pages or the associated classroom materials. The PSTT assumes no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information contained in these resources. The PSTT recommends that a full risk assessment is carried out before undertaking in the classroom any of the practical investigations contained in the resources.

All materials are ©Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT) and are freely available to download and share for educational purposes. Whilst educators are free to adapt the resources to suit their own needs, acknowledgement of copyright on all original materials must be included. Rights to images included in the resource have been purchased for PSTT use only - as such, these images may only be used as part of this resource and may not copied into or used in other materials.

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bright ideas
odd one out
pmi
positive minus interesting
big questions
talking
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explorify

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Bright Ideas | Primary Science Teaching Trust

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Strategies to encourage higher order thinking in science through dedicated discussion slots The AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust (now the PSTT) funded a two-year Conceptual Challenge in Primary Science project (2002-4) at Oxford Brookes University involving 16 Oxfordshire primary schools.

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Webb Telescope secondary science resources

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Webb Telescope secondary science resources

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From D&T and engineering to physics, secondary school learners can connect with cutting-edge research and technology through the James Webb Space Telescope. https://jwst.org.uk/resource-network/secondary-schools/

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Secondary School Resources | James Webb Space Telescope

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Due to launch in 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope will use incredible technology to explore space as never before. Come and have a look!

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Webb Telescope primary science resources

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Webb Telescope primary science resources

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From stars and planets to alien worlds, space can be an inspiring context for learning across the primary curriculum. https://jwst.org.uk/resource-network/primary-schools/

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Primary School Resuorces | James Webb Space Telescope

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Due to launch in 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope will use incredible technology to explore space as never before. Come and have a look!

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Primary Schools

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To borrow the IR camera, for Primary science Webb teacher resource books and for pin badges! Contact:
information@explorerdome.co.uk

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Infrared Demo Ideas (and links to the Webb Telescope)

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Infrared Demo Ideas (and links to the Webb Telescope)

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https://vimeo.com/showcase/5911626

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Join the web's most supportive community of creators and get high-quality tools for hosting, sharing, and streaming videos in gorgeous HD with no ads.

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Explorer Dome Family Event (18th December)

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Explorer Dome Family Event (18th December)

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Explorer Dome event for KS3 and KS2 students, siblings, families and friends - experience the dome, science shows and hands-on space activities. Book tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/our-space-our-future-festival-of-space-tickets-217948889997

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YouTube Event (18th December) Live Mission Briefing for Kids (families + kids aged 4-14)

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YouTube Event (18th December) Live Mission Briefing for Kids (families + kids aged 4-14)

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UK Space Agency and STFC joining with YouTuber and science broadcaster Greg Foot to explore how Webb was made, discover fun at-home activities, ask questions of space experts and get ready for launch.

On YouTube: https://youtu.be/GYdtoTNqVyI

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https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1tMBWHKGGuK0CRfFGN5KqrLidBkmGVPIc?usp=sharing