This article reports on issues arising from the external evaluation of a teacher development project--the Active Learning in Primary Science (ALPS) project--undertaken in eight Bristol (UK) primary schools during 2007. The ALPS project aimed to raise pupil attainment in science by developing participating teachers' skills, knowledge and enthusiasm…

While the great scientists of the past recognized a need for a multidisciplinary approach, today's schools often treat math and science as subjects separate from the rest. This not only creates a disinterest among students, but also a potential learning gap once students reach college and then graduate into the workforce. "Cases on…

This article reports data from a 2-year longitudinal study on cooperative learning in school science. The study reported the effects of cooperative learning in science on science attainment, effective development and social connectedness, and interactions during transition from elementary to high school in rural and urban school settings. The…

In order to gain a better understanding of the significance of the current changes in primary science across the UK, this article takes account of the history of its change over the last four decades. Members of the "Primary Science Review" editorial board from the four countries of the UK--Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and…

Most schools visit Magna Science Adventure Centre on the back of careful planning and preparation. Magna is a fairly unique environment. "Steelos", the local name for the former Templeborough steelworks in Rotherham, West Yorkshire, was a vast plant. It became home to Magna in 2001. The building is over half a kilometre long and 45…

Over the last couple of years, the author has produced six series of 15-minute studio-based programmes for Teachers' TV (the government-funded digital channel for UK teachers) entitled "Resource Review", totalling about 100 programmes. Each consists of three panellists evaluating three teaching resources for primary or secondary level…

The importance of self- and peer-assessment lies in helping children to take responsibility for their learning, an essential outcome of education that aims to develop the ability of school pupils to continue learning throughout life. For self- and peer-assessment what is needed is that children: (1) understand the goals of a learning activity;…

"The Chemedian and the Crazy Football Match" is a comic strip developed by the authors to bring humor to aspects of the UK primary science curriculum. The comic strip was tested in six English primary school classes (years 3-5; ages 7-10); over 150 children participated in the project, together with six teachers. Children found the comic…

The seashore is many things: (1) a place of wonder and delight--inspiring artists and composers; (2) a place of work--for transport and fishing; and (3) a place for play--for sandcastles, surfing and swimming, sailing. In this article, the authors offer some tips on exploring the flora and fauna of the seashore. (Contains 3 boxes and lists 4…

Buntingsdale Infant School in Shropshire has installed an environmentally friendly heating system. The school's heating system is called a Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP). Buntingsdale, a three-classroom infant school in a wooden demountable building, is one of the first schools in Britain to use this system. The system is fully automatic: it is…

Local universities and other higher education establishments represent a huge potential resource for primary schools that is often untapped. The School of Chemistry at Bristol University has recently become a Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), the only one in the country in chemistry. The authors' project, known as Bristol…

Kilkhampton Junior and Infants School is a rural primary school of 83 children aged 4-11 years, situated on the Atlantic Highway (A39) just inside Cornwall and close to the coast, beaches and walks. In this article, the author describes the school's work beyond the classroom as part of the National Trust Guardianship Scheme.

Children need new skills if they are to become part of the solution to challenges such as climate change rather than part of the problem. So states the UK's National Framework for Sustainable Schools. Skills include expressing points of view, weighing up evidence, cooperating, thinking critically, tackling real problems, participating in…

This article describes a four-year project undertaken to develop a set of performance tasks that could be used for assessing hands-on science in Irish primary schools. It begins by considering some of the literature on performance assessment and concludes with a discussion on the potential of the tasks to support teaching and learning in science.…

Although this pamphlet is intended as background material for teachers in English primary schools changing to the System International d'Unites (SI units), the form of the metric system being adopted by the United Kingdom, the educational implications of the change and the lists of apparatus suitable for use with children up to 14 years of age are…