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Interactive curriculum knowledge  and progression matrices, working scientifically progression documents.

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The PLAN primary science resources include a range of resources that are designed to support teachers to implement effective and robust planning and assessment

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Lesson plans and moderated examples of work for each topic and year group.

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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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Guidance and resources to support teaching and assessment.

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Ogden Trust enquiry types activities organised into year group/topic

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Ogden Trust enquiry types activities organised into year group/topic

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Ogden Trust enquiry type activities by year group

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Easy to follow practical resources, particularly for developing working scientifically & enquiry types.

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The Ogden Trust - Promoting the teaching and learning of physics

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This section includes a range of curriculum resources for teaching and learning, as well as How to guides to help you encourage and develop physics at your school. Use the filters to help find the resources you are looking for.

The Ogden Trust resources have been evaluated by The Association for Science Education (ASE) - the foremost body for science education across the UK - and they have been awarded the ASE Green Tick.

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The Ogden Trust: resources to support physics

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Curriculum resources for physics teaching and learning, as well as guides to help you encourage and develop physics at your school.

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Practical activities for all enquiry types/topics/year grps.

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Increase science capital by relating topics to real jobs

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A science-based Newsround!

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Twig Science Reporter is a weekly science news service for your K–5 classroom.

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Lesson plans organised into year group & topic.

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Each lesson is presented as a editable PowerPoint document featuring guidance for teachers/ home educators, explanations of key concepts, suggested activities for pupils and examples of possible learning outcomes. There is also an overview document for each topic, to show how the lessons are sequenced.

These resources were created by members of the ASE in response to the school closures during the coronavirus pandemic. Please note, while at the time every effort was made to ensure the links were relevant to the learning, the ASE can make no guarantees about the on-going accuracy of the content or its continued availability.
The writing team comprised: Lucy Wood (co-ordinator), David Church, Carla Wallington, Naomi Hiscock, Nicola Beverley, Kulvinder Johal, Jenny Watson and Lizzie Wood (illustrator).
To give a more detailed view of how the resources have been used, and how they can be adapted for lessons in schools, Lucy and Carla wrote an article for Primary Science in Jan/Feb 2021 (Issue 166). You can see the article here: https://www.ase.org.uk/resources/primary-science/issue-166/ase-primary-science-lessons-home-and-school-learning-response

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Each lesson is presented as a editable PowerPoint document featuring guidance for teachers/ home educators, explanations of key concepts, suggested activities for pupils and examples of possible learning outcomes. There is also an overview document for each topic, to show how the lessons are sequenced.

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Easy to use activities including Odd One Out, Zoom in, What if?, Big Question etc.

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What do you think the image is and why?

What colours and textures do you see?

No right or wrong answer!

Which is the odd one out and why?

What do you think is happening?

What do you notice?

This video has no sound

Pause video

Have you ever felt a bone?

Could you walk if your bones were bendy?

What if my bones were bendy?

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What do you think the image is and why? What colours and textures do you see? No right or wrong answer! Which is the odd one out and why? What do you think is happening? What do you notice? This video has no sound Pause video Have you ever felt a bone?

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Easy to read biographies of scientists currently researching - relevant for many topics.

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Bored of learning about historic explorers and philosophers? Looking for new and exciting discoveries, from inspirational modern scientists? Love reading and learning from stories?
Research Champions is the site for you.

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Bored of learning about historic explorers and philosophers? Looking for new and exciting discoveries, from inspirational modern scientists? Love reading and learning from stories? Research Champions is the site for you. Let's get reading! What is Research Champions? How to Use Feedback About Us Research Champions is part of a Science Communication Masters project.

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Cutting edge science in child-friendly language - suitable for discussions, reading comprehensions etc.

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Cutting-edge science research projects can be linked to primary science curriculum topics.

PSTT Fellow, Dr Julia Nash

Children remember more snippets of information and are really engaged when learning about cutting-edge science research.

If your class is learning about pollination, you may be interested in our latest article.

I bet you didn't know... Floral scents may be changed by air pollutants

Following the industrial revolution, there has been an increase in air pollutants, including ozone. Scientists have shown that the sweet smells (floral scents) that flowers make to atract insects may be altered by ozone and that hawkmoths find ozone-aletered scents less attractive than unakltered scents. What impact wil this have on insect pollination? Read the article to find out.

Cutting-edge research is linked to primary science topics: Scents/Smells, Pollination, Air pollution

The accompanying Teacher Guide suggests related investigations that children (ages 7-11) could carry out to answer these questions.

Which scents do you prefer?

What do you notice when you you put a smelly item next to another smelly item?

What do you notice about the insects that visit flowers in your local environment?

Are some coloured/scented flowers more popular than others?

What features do the insects have that enable them to feed on the flowers?

To find an article that is related to the topic that you are teaching, please use this Overview.

This is available as a spreadsheet with five separate pages for:

1. Biology-related topics - Plants, Human body, Animals (growth & life cycles), Classifcation, Food chains, Habitats, Adaptation, Evolution, Microorganisms

2. Chemistry-related topics (Materials) - Properties of materials, Uses of materials, Changes in materials, States of matter, The Water cycle

3. Physics-related topics - Light, Sound, Forces, Electricity, Earth & space

4. Environmental Science

5. Health & medicine

On each page, the related articles are listed as hyperlinks which will take you directly to the article you have chosen.

WHY

Why should teachers introduce contemporary scientists' work to primary age children?

Cutting-edge science research can provide incredible stimulus to primary children's emergent ideas in science.

Devising science investigations for children that are linked to this cutting-edge science helps to contextualise the research.

Teachers who have used these articles with primary age children have found there has been a positive impact on children's learning through increased engagement with practical science activities, more independent questioning, a deeper understanding of science concepts, as well as an appreciation of the impact of science on real life.

Children's attitudes towards science research processes and scientists is enriched.

I bet you didn't know... resources could be an early step towards addressing the inequalities that currently exist in those who partipate in science post-16 and those who do not.

HOW

Aimed at teachers and adults interested in introducing cutting-edge science research projects to primary age children, PSTT has created freely downloadable I bet you didn't know... articles which are linked to the primary science curriculum. Using the articles and accompanying Teacher Guides is an exciting way to stimulate children and provides a rich context for learning.

Fellows of the PSTT's Primary Science Teacher College, who have backgrounds in science research and experience teaching in primary classrooms, are using their expertise to gather recent research papers (published within the last two years in peer-reviewed journals) and to write articles which explain cutting-edge science research in language that primary children can understand. These 'I bet you didn't know...' articles explain what scientists have done and what they have discovered, suggest questions for children and teachers to consider in the classroom and describe activities that children can do to mirror the research. We will publish a new 'I bet you didn't know...' article describing cutting-edge science research every month on this web-page.

All of the 'I bet you didn't know...' articles can be freely downloaded and are listed in chronological order (most recent first), below the ARTICLES tab.

Some 'I bet you didn't know...' articles have been published in the PSTT Why & How Newsletter which you can access here.

A Teacher Guide PowerPoint accompanies each article to provide:

suggestions of how the learning might fit into your science curriculum

guidance on appropriate age groups

quick activities that could be used as a starter to engage children in a related science lesson, as an extension at the end of a lesson, or even as an assembly

longer investigations that could occupy a whole science lesson

symbols indicating the enquiry approaches and enquiry skills used in the activities

questions to stimulate further learning

maths links that could be made to develop maths skills

writing links that would could be made to develop writing in different genres

You can download all the Teacher Guides, listed in chronolgical order (most recent first), below the TEACHER GUIDE tab.

ARTICLES

Floral scents may be changed by air pollutants [312.01kB]

May 2022

Curriculum links: Scents/smells, Pollination, Air pollution

The sweet smells (floral scents) that flowers make to attract insects may be altered by ozone. What impact will this have on insect pollination?
DOWNLOAD

The fossilised secrets of the rhino and the beetle [1.20MB]

April 2022

Curriculum links: Fossils, Animals (body parts), Endangered species

This article reveals two secrets held by fossils for millions of years.
DOWNLOAD

WHy & How scientists measure mammals' whiskers [171.11kB]

February 2022

Curriculum links: Mammals, Body parts, Adaptation

This article explains why different mammals have different sizes and shapes of whiskers that are suited to their environment in which they live.
DOWNLOAD

We have telescopes out in space studying the universe [886.64kB]

January 2022

Curriculum links: Earth & Space, Light.

This article explains how and why thousands of scientists have been designing the James Webb Telescope for the past 32 years, and what they hope it will achieve.

DOWNLOAD

Bacteria get viral infections as well [396.08kB]

November 2020

Curriculum links: Microorganisms, Disease & Medicine

This article describes how bacteriophages (viruses that attack and kill bacteria) could be used as alternatives to antibiotics.

DOWNLOAD

Water can be harvested from the air in very dry climates [435.14kB]

July 2020

Curriulum links: State of Matter; The Water Cycle.

This article explains how water vapour is captured from desert air and later condenses to form drinkable water.
DOWNLOAD

Evolution of life in cities [955.28kB]

June 2020

Curriulum links: Habitats; Adaptation; Evolution.

This article gives examples of animals that have adapted to live successfully in urban areas.
DOWNLOAD

Catching flu might depend on the type of place in which you live [701.79kB]

March 2020

Curriculum links: Staying Healthy; Microbes (viruses).

How quickly will a virus spread? Scientists have suggested that the timing and scale of flu epidemics could be linked to the climate and the types of cities in which people live.
DOWNLOAD

The Disastrous Effects of Historical Ink [168.35kB]

October 2019

Curriculum links: Separating mixtures; Irreversible Change.

Why do historical documents degrade? Researchers found that the acidity of iron gall inks and the thickness of the paper affect the degradation of old documents.
DOWNLOAD

How plants know good microbes from bad ones [283.31kB]

June 2019

Curriculum links: Plant microbes; Chemical Signalling; Electricity.

Plants decide whether root bacteria are beneficial or not by comparing shapes, sizes, chemical signals and electrical signals.

DOWNLOAD

Stripes and concealment [1.24MB]

February 2019

Curriculum links: Habitats; Adaptation.

Scientists made artificial moths to investigate which types of patterned moth were most likely to be taken by birds.
DOWNLOAD

How to play planetary hide and seek [240.58kB]

June 2018

Curriculum links: Space; Our Senses; Magnets.

Scientists (both female) suggest that a 9th planet is hidden in the Kuiper Belt.
DOWNLOAD

TEACHER GUIDES

Floral scents may be changed by air pollutants [6.17MB]

May 2022

Curriculum links: Scents/smells, Pollination, Air pollution

Comparative tests: Which scents do you prefer? What do you notice when a smelly item is next to another smelly item?

Identifying, grouping & classifying: What shape are the flowers that the insects visit? What do you notice about the features that insects have to enable them to feed on these flowers?

Pattern seeking: Are some coloured flowers more popular than others? Are scented flowers more popular than non-scented?

Observation over time: How many different types of inscet visit the same type of flower?

DOWNLOAD

The fossilised secrets of the rhino and the beetle [16.88MB]

April 2022

Curriculum links: Fossils, Animals (body parts), Endangered species

Research / Identifying, grouping & Classifying:

Can you use your knowledge of skeletons to match fossil imgaes to an artist's impression of the animal?

Can you predict what an animal looked like from its fossilised remains?

Fossil sort cards are available to download with this Teacher Guide.

DOWNLOAD

WHy & How scientists measure mammals' whiskers [25.86MB]

February 2022

Curriculum links: Mammals, Body parts, Adaptation

Identifying, grouping and classifying: What can you sense with your fingers?

Comparative testing / Pattern-seeking: How are mammals' whiskers arranged? What shape are mammals' whiskers?
Images of mammals' faces, mammals' whiskers and a Euler spiral are also available to download here. DOWNLOAD

We have telescopes out in space studying the universe [3.92MB]

January 2022

Curriculum links: Earth & Space, Light.

Pattern seeking: How far can you see with binoculars?

Problem solving: How does light move? Can you design a mirror for a space telescope? Can you make a scale model of the JWST?

Sorting & classifying: What would an infrared photo of your body look like?

Comparative/Fair testing: Which coat is the most efficient insulator?

Observation over time: Why can we 'see' a handprint on the book?

Research: What is similar and different about the Hubble and James Webb telescopes?

DOWNLOAD

It's raining all over the world - extreme weather connections [2.95MB]

November 2021

Curriculum links: Weather, States of matter, Climate science.

Pattern seeking & Observation over time: Can you record the weather in your area?

Comparative/fair testing: Which surfaces allow water to drain away quickly?

Scientific models to show: Forces created by differences in air pressure; the Coriolis effect; how a weather system can be transferred over large distances.

DOWNLOAD

Plastics in soil affect the survival of plants and worms [2.94MB]

Curriculum links: Plants, Living things and their habitats, Climate science.

Identifying and classifying: How many earthworms can you find?

Comparative & fair testing, Observation over time: Can you investigate what plants need to germinate? Can you investigate what pants need to grow?
DOWNLOAD

Tree restoration - it's now or never [4.05MB]

Curriculum links: Plants, Photosynthesis, Climate change

Identifying, grouping and classifying: Can you carry out a tree survey in your area?

Research: Which trees would be the 'best' to plant where you live?

Two WORKSHEETS are also available to download. These show satellite images of towns and surrounding countryside in the UK and allow children to estimate how much land is available for planting trees.

DOWNLOAD

Termites can help rainforests survive drought [2.91MB]

Curriculum links: Food chains & webs, Habitats, Climate change

Comparative test: Will termites' tunnels be stronger in wet or dry conditions?

Observation over time/Grouping and classifying: How biodiverse in the place where you live?

Observation over time: How can you observe decomposers at work?
A Termites WORKSHEET is also available to download. DOWNLOAD

Planets Series [6.50MB]

This Teacher Guide accompanies a series of four I bet you didn't know... articles on planets and includes 18 investigations linked to Earth & space, Weather, Light, Sound and Electricity.
DOWNLOAD

Water can be harvested from the air in very dry climates [1.27MB]

Observing over time: Can we find a material that takes up water and releases it again?

Observing over time: Can we show how water vapour form the air condenses to form liquid water?

Comparative testing: Which materials hold the most water?

Research: Can you think of other ways to reduce the use of fresh water?

DOWNLOAD

Evolution of life in cities [2.41MB]

Pattern seeking: survey of local habitats.

Problem solving: how do animals and plants adapt to live in urban habitats?

Pattern seeking/Grouping and classification: can you record variation in your class?

Comparative testing: which colours give moths an advantage over white moths?

DOWNLOAD

Toilets in the future may charge your mobile phone! [1.40MB]

Research: What is it like to live without flushing toilets?

Research: Create flow diagrams to show how toilets work.

Comparative testing: What is the best material to scrape the toilet bowl clean?

Problem solving: Can you make an Archimedes screw to lift a solid object?
DOWNLOAD

Dragons could save us from bad bacteria [1.24MB]

Observation over time: How can bacteria can spread?

Research: What do bacteria look like?

Problem solving: How can reduce the spread of infection in hospitals and schools?

DOWNLOAD

Whale song is changing [819.29kB]

Pattern seeking: How can you change the pitch (frequency) of a sound wave?

Pattern seeking: How do noise levels vary in your environment?

Pattern seeking: Which frequency sounds travel furthest?
DOWNLOAD

How to calculate the age of a shark [2.17MB]

Pattern seeking: Would height be a good measure of children's ago in your class or in the whole school?
DOWNLOAD

PSTT AUTHORS

Meet the Fellows of the Primary Science Teaching College who are writing 'I bet you didn't know...' articles. Before starting a career in teaching, all of them obtained a PhD in a science-related subject and have experience of science research.

Dr Craig EARLY, ChemIST

Craig attended Loughborough University, studying Medicinal & Pharmaceutical Chemistry, before embarking on his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. Following a short spell in Bournemouth as a Sales Executive, Craig moved into teaching, following a successful completion of the PGCE at the University of East Anglia. His first teaching job involved improving science teaching at a large 3 form entry primary school, taking the school through numerous awards, and being recognised as a "hub of science excellence" within the area during his 8 years there. He was awarded the Primary Science Teacher of the Year in 2015.

Craig has written numerous primary science materials for websites such as the BBC and Teachit Primary, as well as writing the supporting documents for 137 primary resources on the Royal Society of Chemistry's "Learn Chemistry" platform, and articles for Association of Science Education publications.

Currently, Craig is the Head of an Academy at a school in Lincolnshire which is part of an 8 school Multi-Academy Trust. He leads the Science vision and implementation across the 7 primaries, and is involved in delivering training for ITT students, as well as being an SLE in Science Education for the Teaching School Alliance.

Craig continues to promote the importance of science teaching and learning within the primary sector, and has presented at numerous conferences, as well as delivering CPD through the STEM Learning network. He currently sits on the strategic vision group for the Science Learning Partnership in Lincolnshire, as well as being an elected member of the Education Division Council within the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Dr Rebecca Ellis, BioLOGIST/Engineer

After achieving a 1st class BSc (Hons) studying Biology at Bristol University, Rebecca had her first taste of research working at the Natural History Museum, London for the Parasitic Worms Department. She then moved to Cranfield University and began her four year Engineering Doctorate (EngD) on the 'Development of a Novel Medium to Improve the Performance of Biological Aerated Filters (BAFs)'.

Generally used as a secondary sewage treatment process, BAFs provide a high rate, compact solution through maintaining a concentrated biomass in the form of a biofilm. The medium to support the biofilm also removes suspended solids by depth filtration and so regular backwashing is required. With industrial sponsorship from English China Clays International, Rebecca worked for 6 months 'in house' at St. Austell where she could engage with the clay foaming process directly and use Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy to observe biofilm growth.

After leaving research, she gained a PGCE from Bath University. She has taught for 18 years at a junior school in Warwickshire and has two children.

Dr Julia Nash, Biochemist

Julia w orked in science res earch for over 13

In 2003 Julia joined

After leaving research, Julia gained her PGCE from C

Dr Katharine Pemberton, Marine Biologist

Before teaching, Katharine worked as a researcher in aquatic science. She gained her first degree in Marine Biology at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and then began her PhD research at Plymouth Marine Laboratory.

During her PhD, Katharine investigated different ways of measuring and estimating primary production in the marine environment. An understanding of primary production is really important to help scientists make predictions about levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, to help understand climate change. The research showed that different measurement methods gave different estimates of primary production, which, when extrapolated to global scales, could lead to huge variations in climate change predictions.

After her PhD, Katharine took a post-doctoral research post in Canada. The aim of the project was to link in situ estimates of photosynthesis to water quality in the Laurentian Great Lake. The research showed that rates of photosynthesis could indicate the presence of particular species of phytoplankton. The presence of certain species of phytoplankton have a negative impact on water quality.

Having visited schools as a researcher, Katharine discovered how rewarding teaching could be. After having children, she moved back to the UK with her husband and retrained as a primary teacher. She has been teaching at Modbury Primary School in Devon for the last five years.

Professor Dudley Shallcross, Atmospheric chemist

Dudley Shallcross is CEO of the Primary Science Teaching Trust. He has won several awards for his research in science (atmospheric chemistry) and contributions to science education and science engagement at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. He became Director of the Primary Science Teaching Trust in 2010 and established the Trust's College of excellent primary science teachers that aims to draw together the best primary science practitioners in the UK.

Having seen how outstanding primary school teachers were able to bring real-life science contexts to the classroom, he started the series of 'I bet you didn't know...' articles to introduce teachers and pupils to cutting-edge research. He brought together the PSTT Fellows in this group to continue this work.

Dr Alison Trew, Biochemist

Alison was a science researcher for nine years. After completing her first degree in Biochemistry at

Alison worked as a postdoctoral research assistant in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne where she investigated the loss of genetic material in different types of skin lesions including warts . She then joined a team at the University of Nottingham in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology where she developed a procedure Alison returned to Leeds University and worked with a team trying to identify processes involved in producing protein plaques in the brain which are thought to cause Alzheimer's Disease.

After leaving research and having a family , Alison trained to teach. She has taught in primary schools in Devon for nine years and now works with teachers and trainees in the South W est and is developing resources for the PSTT website.

Dr Paul Tyler, Biochemist

Paul completed a degree in Biochemistry at the University of Leicester and then moved to work for a small pharmaceutical company in Hertford, purifying and studying Paclitaxel from yew trees to use as a cancer treatment.

He then moved back to Leicester to join PanTherix, a startup biotech company pioneering structure-based antibiotic design. Paul specialized in enzyme purification and classification, crystallisation and structure determination.

Structure-based drug design is an attempt to move away from the scatter-gun approach of finding new antibiotics that big pharmaceutical companies have traditionally used. Enzyme targets are identified that are only found in bacteria, not humans. They are cloned and over expressed in E.coli . From there the target enzyme is purified and slowly crystallised. X-rays are used to determine the 3D structure of the enzyme. It is then possible to study how the enzyme binds to its substrates and find drug candidates that could mimic the substrate and stop the enzyme working, killing the bacteria.

During his time with PanTherix the company relocated to Glasgow and Paul continued to work on potential antibiotics with a variety of bacterial enzyme targets. Paul also became fascinated with Prions and was able to assist with some research into their structure with a group at the University of Glasgow. Paul completed his PhD shortly before PanTherix were bought out by AstraZeneca. Settled in Glasgow he changed career and spent 3 years working for Scottish Rugby before completing his PGDE in Primary Education.

Paul has been teaching for 11 years and leading science in his school for 7 years. He is part of a Local Authority science group helping promote and improve science across 26 primary schools. He is an active member of the ASE and a member of the BIG STEM Communicators Network; Paul regularly writes for TES and ASE publications and speaks at STEM conferences across the UK. He has written resources for the PSTT and consulted on several STEM projects worldwide.

Safety Notice and Disclaimer

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.

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. 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. 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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i bet you didn't know
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cutting-edge science
scientist
scientists
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science capital

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Cutting-edge science research projects can be linked to primary science curriculum topics. PSTT Fellow, Dr Julia Nash Children remember more snippets of information and are really engaged when learning about cutting-edge science research. If your class is learning about pollination, you may be interested in our latest article.

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Biographies

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Learn about the lives of the scientists who have shaped our world

Discover the stories of super scientists and the impact they have had on how we understand the world today. Explore the lives of a range of amazing scientists, from Stephen Hawking's work on the history of the the Universe to Ada Lovelace's creation of the world's first computer algorithm.

Each Super scientist resource includes a presentation to use with your class, and a printable comprehension activity to test their understanding.

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bp educational service | Super scientists

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Discover the stories of super scientists and the impact they have had on how we understand the world today. Explore the lives of a range of amazing scientists, from Stephen Hawking's work on the history of the the Universe to Ada Lovelace's creation of the world's first computer algorithm.

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Vlog biographies of famous scientists.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Science KS2: Scientists and Scientific Method

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The series provides an insight into some of the world's most famous scientists, and some of the biggest discoveries ever made in science.

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Investigations for Y5 & 6 bringing together science and football. Covers space, forces, adaptation, classification, sound

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Engaging practical science activities for upper KS2 (9-11 year old) primary school children, using links to football, other sports and space.

The Primary Science Teaching Trust has been collaborating with Leicester City in the Community (LCitC), Leicester City FC's charitable trust and The National Space Centre. Our Premier League Primary Stars ' City Science Stars' project aimed to engage primary school children in Years 5 and 6 who have low science capital by linking lessons to football, other sports and to space. Teaching materials for this project, created by PSTT College Fellow Sarah Eames and LCitC STEM Coach Dr Alex Evans, are now freely accessible to all teachers.

The downloadable materials provided include:

Lesson plans

Lesson presentations (Power Points) for use in the classroom

Additional lesson support materials, including a 'lab book' for children to use

Read Alex's blog about the project on our Wow Science website here.

Overview

Working with the National Space Centre in Leicester and with additional financial backing from the Premier League Charitable Fund, LCitC and PSTT have embarked on an ambitious programme of support for primary science teaching in Leicester. PSTT College Fellow, Sarah Eames, initially developed a series of lesson plans linking football and space and trialled these materials in local schools, with the ultimate aim of creating a resource that can be shared with other teachers. PSTT further supported LCitC's appointment of a science communicator and STEM coach, Dr Alex Evans, to disseminate and refine the programme within additional schools in Leicester and to develop additional resources. Working together on these materials, Sarah and Alex have created a collection of resources that are now available for use in primary schools with a target audience of upper key stage 2 (9-11 year olds). The resources were created to enable 'non-teachers' to support children in primary science; we would not expect experienced teachers to follow the detailed plans but to adapt the ideas to their own needs and circumstances.

The children involved have enjoyed the focus on their local Leicester City Football Club and National Space Centre (both were visited during the programme) and whilst these are not part of the lesson resources created, schools across the UK could utilise their local facilities to bring the sessions (called 'fixtures') further to life.

Lesson Plans

Space Olympics [170.34kB]

Children will learn about the importance of fitness and exercise.

Children investigate what it would be like to perform different sports on different planets in our solar system and learn about the importance of fitness and exercise for astronauts.
DOWNLOAD

Be A Sport [249.36kB]

Children will group, sort and classify different sports, then create decision trees (classification keys).

The children will use simple equipment to design their own sport.
DOWNLOAD

Match Fit [218.91kB]

Children will learn about the physical and mental skills that footballers and astronauts have in common.

This investigation is a data collection exercise. Children will test their own skills (balance, patience and resilience) and using the data they collect, they will use different types of statistical information - minimum, maximum, mean average values and descriptive data to analyse their results and draw conclusions.
DOWNLOAD

Kick Off to Lift Off [216.25kB]

Children will learn about the forces involved in kick-offs and lift-offs.

Using paper stomp rockets, children will investigate which angles provide the best trajectory for speed, height and distance.
DOWNLOAD

On the Wing [174.79kB]

Children will learn about aerodynamic forces that act on birds and planes during flight.

Using paper planes, children will investiagte which wing shape is better for distance and for airtime.

DOWNLOAD

Roar of the Crowd [243.29kB]

Children will learn about sound.

Using dataloggers, children can investigate how the number of people generating sound, the type of sound, and the distance from the sound source, affect the loudness.

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Lesson Presentations

Space Olympics [10.67MB]

Children will learn about the importance of fitness and exercise.

Children investigate what it would be like to perform different sports on different planets in our solar system and learn about the importance of fitness and exercise for astronauts.
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Be A Sport [4.70MB]

Children will group, sort and classify different sports, then create decision trees (classification keys).

The children will use simple equipment to design their own sport.
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Match Fit [72.77MB]

Children will learn about the physical and mental skills that footballers and astronauts have in common.

This investigation is a data collection exercise. Children will test their own skills (balance, patience and resilience) and using the data they collect, they will use different types of statistical information - minimum, maximum, mean average values and descriptive data to analyse their results and draw conclusions.
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Kick Off to Lift Off [9.36MB]

Children will learn about the forces involved in kick-offs and lift-offs.

Using paper stomp rockets, children will investigate which angles provide the best trajectory for speed, height and distance.
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On the Wing [27.78MB]

Children will learn about aerodynamic forces that act on birds and planes during flight.

Using paper planes, children will investigate which wing shape is better for distance and for airtime.

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Roar of the Crowd [12.82MB]

Children will learn about sound.

Using dataloggers, children can investigate how the number of people generating sound, the types of sound, and the distance from the sound source, affect the loudness.

DOWNLOAD

Additional Resources

City Science Stars [1.92MB]

Lab Book - includes children's worksheets for the first nine investigations
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Pitch Perfect [99.15kB]

Experiment Sort Activity - vocabulary sheet for describing working scientifically skills
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Pitch Perfect [33.99kB]

Challenge Cards - 7 group challenges to investigate growth of grass seeds
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Space Olympics [1.00MB]

Fact sheets - 5 planets (Saturn, Mars, Venus, Neptune, Earth)
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Survival of the Fittest [2.89MB]

Wild Cup Event - footballer templates, adaptations, habitat cards
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Survival of the Fittest [26.21kB]

Wild Cup Events - instructions
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Roar of the Crowd [154.86kB]

Results Tables - includes blank template
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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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space
football
sports
exercise
astronauts
mars
working scientifically

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Engaging practical science activities for upper KS2 (9-11 year old) primary school children, using links to football, other sports and space. The Primary Science Teaching Trust has been collaborating with Leicester City in the Community (LCitC), Leicester City FC's charitable trust and The National Space Centre .

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Fun, easily resourced practical lessons to engage learning at the beginning, middle or end of a topic.

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Need to keep your class occupied at wet play? Looking for some last minute lesson ideas? Want to get creative in the classroom? If you have Gratnells in your classroom, then we are here to help!

What's in my tray was created on social media to encourage teachers and technicians to use their Gratnells trays as part of their teaching resources. Our in-house ideas are shared on our Gratnells social media channels to inspire and motivate you to incorporate our trays into your daily lesson plans.

Whether it's Science, Creative, Maths or Outdoors, we have a What's in my tray suggestion for you and your class.

Benefits of What's in my tray? and using Gratnells trays in the classroom

Not just a helpful and reliable storage solution, Gratnells trays also make the perfect classroom assistant when planning lessons. What's in my tray? is an idea created on social media to encourage school teachers and technicians to use Gratnells trays as part of their teaching resources and lesson planning. Spanning across a range of different taught subjects and extracurricular tasks, there is bound to be an activity for the topic you're teaching.

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What's in my tray? - Gratnells Learning Rooms

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Need to keep your class occupied at wet play? Looking for some last minute lesson ideas? Want to get creative in the classroom? If you have Gratnells in your classroom, then we are here to help! What's in my tray was created on social media to encourage teachers and technicians to use their Gratnells trays...

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Huge range of resources including Science for one, Science at home and Science at work.

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Explorify

Explorify makes science accessible for all - discussion-based and open-ended activities are great for enabling ALL pupils, including those with SEND, to participate in science lessons without a fear of failure and increasing their independence.

With proven impact for teachers and pupils, Explorify increases teacher confidence and teaching time, which improves pupils' science knowledge, use of scientific vocabulary and reasoning skills.

Using Inspiring ideas to develop scientific enquiry skills, add a twist to your science lessons with activities that inspire questioning, deepen thinking and extend reasoning skills. Try challenges that develop scientific enquiry skills and tackle confidence-building group tasks.

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Resources - Primary Science Teaching Trust

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Explorify Explorify makes science accessible for all - discussion-based and open-ended activities are great for enabling ALL pupils, including those with SEND, to participate in science lessons without a fear of failure and increasing their independence. With proven impact for teachers and pupils, Explorify increases teacher confidence and teaching time, which improves pupils' science knowledge, use of scientific vocabulary and reasoning skills.

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Videos, activities, games etc.

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We created Wow Science to help children discover and enjoy learning. The resources are carefully selected and tested to make sure your child can enjoy the best science resources available on the website.

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Lots of easy to run practical activities

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Terrific Scientific brings science to the heart of your teaching with fantastic investigations and exciting resources linked to the curriculum.

Terrific Scientific Live Lessons

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K2; Level 2; science; scientific method; scientific enquiry; working scientifically; year 3; year 4 year 5; year 6; year 7; fair test; experiments; investigations; primary science; primary school; scientific language

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Science related stories for each year group

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Science related stories for each year group

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Good books to read with the class or have in the reading corner.

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Science Linked Texts and Famous Scientists

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With enquiry questions

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Easy activities for practical science at home or at school

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Please be aware that resources have been published on the website in the form that they were originally supplied. This means that procedures reflect general practice and standards applicable at the time resources were produced and cannot be assumed to be acceptable today. Website users are fully responsible for ensuring that any activity, including practical work, which they carry out is in accordance with current regulations related to health and safety and that an appropriate risk assessment has been carried out.

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Starters for STEM consists of lots of easy to run activities suitable for children from 4-11. Designed for parents to use at home they help children develop their science, technology, engineering and maths skills. These activities are easy-to-resource and provide children with the stimulus to talk about the world around them.

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Experiments based on well loved nursery rhymes, fairy tales and stories

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bp educational service | Science in stories: Humpty Dumpty

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Can you protect Humpty Dumpty from his fall?

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Lots of experiments and ideas

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If you're searching for fun science for kids, welcome to Science Sparks! We've got 100s of hands-on kid-friendly science experiments so you're sure to find something to try wherever your interests lie.

The most important thing to remember is that science should be fun! Do let us know on social media what you think of our cool science experiments for kids and if you can think of any more ideas we can add to our list.

Simple Science for Kids

Most of the science experiments on Science Sparks are simple anyway, but to make it even easier I've written a round up post of some of the easiest experiments for kids.

I've also got a list of science experiments every child should do at least once with a FREE printable checklist so kids can tick the experiments off as they go along.

Chemistry Experiments for Kids

Find out what happens when you drop a mento into a just opened bottle of coke ( you've got to be quick before the fizz fades )

Make a sandwich bag explode, blow up a balloon with lemon juice, try some amazing density experiments and tricks, make your own pH indicator and lots more cracking chemistry experiments for kids.

You might also like our collection of explosive science experiments.

Preschool Science Experiments

Science isn't just for older kids, there are lots of fun science experiments even preschool age children can do.

Children can create filter paper butterflies, find out how many feet tall they are, make shadow puppets, save a soft toy from getting wet and lots more great preschool science activities.

We've got a fun collection of science for Early Years too!

Gravity Experiments for Kids

Make a water powered bottle rocket, defy gravity with a magnet and more fun gravity experiments.

Electronics Experiments

We had a great time making this light up street using circuits or if you fancy experimenting with a motor, this Art Bot is fantastic fun too.

Baking Soda Experiments

Make witchy potions, fairy potions, a baking soda powered boat, volcano and other fun baking soda experiments.

Kitchen Science Experiments

Make cornflour gloop, crunchy honeycomb, discover why pineapple stops jelly setting, clean dirty water, make a lemon sink and more exciting kitchen science experiments.

Easter Science Experiments

Make an eggshell bridge, an unbreakable egg, save Humpty Dumpty from a terrible fall and more fun Easter Science Experiments.

Great Experiments for a School Science Club

Our earthquake science experiments are great fun for any time of year. Make a seismometer, test edible foundations and build a model of the Earth.

Set up an egg drop experiment, make a scribble bot and lots more easy experiments for a school science club.

Fairy Tale Science Experiments

Make a zip wire to help Jack escape down the Beanstalk, build a new house for the Three Little Pigs and more awesome fairy tale science activities!

If you need a quick and easy STEM challenge try one of our Fairy Tale STEM Challenges with free printable instructions and sheet to complete.

Everything you need for science at home

Ideas and suggestions for materials and resources for science at home so you're ready for almost every science experiment you want to try!

Forces and Motion Experiments

Learn about gravity, air resistance, air pressure and friction with this fun collection of experiments for learning about forces and motion.

Summer Science for Kids

Keep the kids busy all summer long with this fun collection of 50 summer science experiments.

Water Science for Kids

Make a density jar, play with oil and water and lots more fun water science experiments for kids.

Great Experiments for a Science Fair

If you're after ideas for great science fair projec t, we've got lots of those too!

The Best STEM Challenges and Science for Kids

We've got enough science challenges to keep you busy all year long! Make a giant catapult, an egg float and lots more!

If STEM is more your thing, we've got a great collection of easy STEM Challenges too!

Marble run in a cardboard box STEM Challenge

Seasonal Science Experiments

We've got experiment for every season, with more added each year.

Make a snow volcano, paint on ice and lots more fun winter science experiments and activities.

Have a browse through our Christmas science experiments and STEM challenges.

Write secret messages, blow up a giant heart and other experiments for Valentine's Day

Weather Science Experiments

Find out how to make a rainbow even when it's cloudy.

Rainbow made with a prism on a sunny day

Top 10 Science Experiments for Kids

This is a collection of the good old staple science experiments that everyone knows and loves. We've also got a printable checklist so you can tick them off as you work through,

What is Science Sparks?

Science Sparks contains 100s of free science experiments and activities for kids of all ages. Most of our experiments only require very simple materials and ingredients that you most likely already have around the house. What are you waiting for? Choose an activity, create a cool science project, try a STEM challenge and then show your friends and family what you've learned. We've also got a few science tricks that are sure to impress an audience!

Still not sure where to start? Try our list of everything you need for science at home and start with something simple. Try making a bubbly lava lampor a craft or lollystick stick catapultand go from there. Thinking of a science question and then working through to find an answer is another great approach. We've got some great science questions for kids to get you started.

For children who aren't especially interested in science, give one of our book themed science experiments a go. These are also great for younger children, as we find adding a bit of context to an activity really helps keep kids engaged.

Don't forget we've also got lots of holiday themed science activities as well as an extensive list of easy STEM challenges and exciting science project ideas.

BENEFITS OF SCIENCE FOR KIDS

Whatever the age of the child the benefits of science experiments and activities are huge. The best thing about science is that you probably already have everything you need for awesome science experiments in the kitchen or around the house.

Encourage curiosity. Children can use science experiments and activities to find answers to questions which will probably lead to more questions and hopefully help nurture a natural curiosity and understanding about the world around them.

Get outdoors - science is a great way to encourage children outside. Whether it's making rockets, building water walls or just trying some sinking and floating it's always good to be outside.

Planning skills - science projects help develop planning and problem solving skills as well as the resilience to keep trying if something doesn't work first time.

Team work - science experiments are a brilliant way to encourage children to work as part of a team and for parents to spend quality time with children too!

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The BEST Science Experiments for Kids - Science Sparks

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If you're searching for fun science for kids, welcome to Science Sparks! We've got 100s of hands-on kid-friendly science experiments so you're sure to find something to try wherever your interests lie. The most important thing to remember is that science should be fun!

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Huge range of stories organised into age range and topics.

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Children's stories provide a great context for learning science. Explore our resource packages based around popular children's books and discover the science hidden in a book. Resources include book summaries, hints and tips for teaching the science and further stories on a similar theme.

They are organised into three age groups:

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Teaching science through stories - primary

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Explore our resource packages based around popular children’s books and discover the science hidden in a book.