Science
The essence of Science
At Albany Juniors, we teach science by meeting the requirements of the national curriculum. We aim to provide the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.
We aim to achieve this by teaching knowledge, skills through high quality sequences of lessons which are designed to help pupils develop their understanding of:
- Looking closely at the natural and human world carefully.
- Teaching knowledge through investigations and questioning.
- Use different types of scientific enquiry to answer their own questions through, testing, observing patterns and changes, grouping and classifying and using books and ICT to consolidate and explain findings.
- Use scientific language and specific vocabulary to communicate ideas.
- Use disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
- Learning about the work of famous scientists.
Teaching is designed to take account of our five key curriculum drivers with skills and knowledge taken from our progression documents to ensure age appropriate content. Where appropriate, links are also made to ensure that children’s social, moral, spiritual and cultural development is enhanced through science.
At Albany Junior School, we aim to provide an enriched Science Curriculum giving many opportunities for practical lessons on a weekly basis. Our children are exposed to a wide variety of topics that are delivered in a fun and engaging way, supporting their curiosity for learning. It is our vision to teach the children about the world around them and provide opportunities through enrichment days, whole school investigations and practical activities, whilst encouraging them to explore and question. The children are given opportunities to lean about the work of famous scientists and how their discoveries have shaped the world of today.
The following document shows the Science topics being studied within each year group throughout the whole of KS2 at Albany Junior School. It also shows the Scientists that each Year group studies. The Knowledge organisers below accompany each Science topic and help the children with vocabulary and subject knowledge.
Enrichment days for Science have been really successful at Albany Junior School. We have a day a year where we vertically group the children so there is a mix of different year groups within each class. We have had previously had a team of forensics in and also the "Owl Man" who brought in owls and birds of prey for the children to study. The next day of enrichment is all about bringing Literacy into Science. The date is yet to be confirmed.
Experiments to try at home.