Welcome to St Clare's Science Page!

St Clare's Science Principles and Vision

Science Principles and Vision

At St Clare's there is a clear vision for science, we place great emphasis on investigative skills in science.  It is important that children understand scientific methods and are able to conduct fair tests with accuracy.  

In the Early Years Foundation Stage science is experienced through the `knowledge and understanding of the world` area of learning. We aim to create a stimulating environment that encourages children to develop an interest in the environment around them both indoors and outdoors.

In Key Stage 1 we encourage the children to look more closely at the world around them, to become more curious and begin to ask questions.  In Key Stage 2 we continue to develop scientific thinking and scientific working..

Throughout both key stages, children learn how to make comparisons and identify similarities and differences; make careful observations and draw conclusions from their observations; make predictions and suggest questions that can be tested; plan and carry out investigations with fair tests; collect evidence and present results and draw conclusions. Our main aim is for the children to explore their curiosities about the wider world. 

Children learn about physical processes, life and living processes and materials and their properties.

Knowledge in science is learnt through a combination of experiment based learning, class teaching and using software to explain factual information and test learning.

Science Intent, Implement and Impact Statement

Science Curriculum Overview

Science overview Updated

Science Knowledge Mats

Each science topic is supported by a Knowledge Organiser which details the key facts, vocabulary and skills for each topic. These are given to the children at the start of each new science topic to support their learning.

Year 1 Knowledge Mats

Y1 Science Knowledge Organisers

Year 2 Knowledge Mats

Y2 Science Knowledge Organisers

Year 3 Knowledge Mats

Y3 Science Knowledge Organisers

Year 4 Knowledge Mats

Y4 Knowledge Organisers Updated.

Year 5 Knowledge Mats

Y5 Science Knowledge Organisers

Year 6 Knowledge Mats

Y6 Science Knowledge Organisers

Progression in Science Learning 

This document shows the progression in science learning at St Clare's RC Primary School, beginning in EYFs all the way up to Upper Key Stage two. This is the learning journey that will be taken, and the coverage of the substantive knowledge in all three key areas of primary science; Chemistry, Physics and Biology. 

Progression in Science Learning

Science at St Clare's..

Space Week October 2022

To celebrate space week this year, our science ambassadors have set a challenge which is out of this world! They have asked all of the children to create something that represents space. This could be; a rocket ship, a 3D model of the solar system, hand print aliens, the possibilities could go to infinity and beyond! Have a look at the amazing creations so far! Thank you to all of the children for such incredible designs!

Playground Science: October 2022

During morning break time this week, the year 4,5 and 6 children were intrigued by the minibeasts that occupied our playground. We were joined by a centipede by the planters, and we explored how the leafs of the maple trees which surround our playground. The seeds or 'samaras' look like helicopter wings as they fall down from the tree! This led to a discussion with Mrs Salza about seed dispersal. 

Playground Science: November 2022

This week, the children were exploring magnetic objects around the playground, and testing the magnetism of a range of different materials. The magnifying glasses were also used again to explore the creatures around us! 

Running races were timed and repeated to make sure that a fair and accurate time was recorded, using stop watches. The children have loved using their working scientifically skills in the real world around them. 

Science Club: December 2022

This week's science club had a lovely festive feel. We focused on exploring how salt is a hygroscopic substance because it absorbs liquids. We combined our love for science with art and created salt art Christmas themed pictures. The salt soaked up the food colouring that we had used to help to create our masterpieces.

Science Club - Let it Snow 

This week, the science ambassadors made their own snow! They experimented with different mixtures to find the perfect solution. In the end, bicarbonate of soda and hair conditioner was the most successful. 

Year 5 Borrow The Moon! March 2023

The year 5 children were encouraged to reach for the stars and learn more about the universe around us during a week-long interactive experience of astronomy. They were given the unique opportunity to touch a piece of a space rock not of this Earth as they handled genuine meteorites.

The pack provided by STFC included a 1.2bn year old piece of Mars rock and 4.3bn year old nickel meteorite. It is unlikely that children will ever get the chance to hold an object older than this, as Earth itself was formed 4.6bn years ago.

The lunar samples that we received were collected in the late 1960s and early 70s during some of NASA’s first manned space missions to the moon.

Our science ambassadors also took advantage of this amazing experience, and had the chance to explore the samples during their weekly science club session. 

Science Newsletter - February 2023

Each half term, the Science Ambassadors will be creating a newsletter packed with information about what is going on in school for our science learning, events in our local community and events from around the world. Take a look at our first one:

Science Newsletter February 2023

British Science Week - 2023 - Connections

This year's theme for British science week was connections, we decided to focus on the connections in nature that are all around us. We had such an amazing week celebrating all of the wonderful things around us. In the EYFS classes, the children created shoebox habitats, In Year 1 the children invented their own insects using a range of different materials, in Year 2, the children investigated how a creature may camouflage and completed a scientific investigation! In year 3, the children made bird feeders using recycled materials, in Year 4, the children collected leaves, twigs and other natural materials to create nature art, and in year 5 and 6, the children dissected owl pellets to explore raptors food chains in ore detail. 

Science Club  - Fantastic Fingerprints

This activity was designed to get children thinking about fingerprints. The investigators had been given a news article about fingerprints. Teachers at St Clare's Primary School were wondering if they can use fingerprints to identify the students for the register, dinner times and for taking books from the library. But the teachers wondered whether the students’ fingerprints were that different?

Through this activity the children acquired many new skills such as: • Collecting their fingerprints • Comparing different fingerprints and identify patterns • Recording and presenting their results. They had so much fun and discussed how these skills could be used in careers later on in life!

Useful websites

Here are some links to websites that you may find useful for supporting your child's science learning at home