Thermal cameras have shown to have utility in secondary school classrooms and undergraduate courses. In this paper, the author argues for their potential in the primary school classroom and presents a range of activities that can be undertaken with thermal cameras (or supplied images). With limited access in mind, the activities in this paper have…

Science educators now broadly recognize the multimodal nature of learning in science, where learners make meanings within modes (linguistic, mathematical, visual, and actional) by using the conventions of different sign systems or grammars in these modes. However, how teachers guide students to link and infer new meanings across modes, called…

Previous articles in "Primary Science" have presented a range of ways to teach electricity in engaging and informative ways (e.g. Buckley and Harvey, 2014; Chapman, 2014; Norman, 2014; CLEAPSS, 2016) and Frank Harris provides an interesting historical account of the development and use of batteries in "School Science Review"…

It can be a continual struggle to develop interesting and engaging experiments for use in primary schools, especially when related to electrical phenomena. Most people are familiar with the phenomenon of charged objects picking up paper or attracting hair, but there are number of simple and highly engaging activities within this area that are…

Background: A move beyond static and representational accounts of science learning and becoming through relations is needed. Purpose: In this paper extra-learning activities in science offered by a community organization to an elementary class over one academic school year are assessed in light of their contributions to science learning and…

The article presents a 5E environmental science lesson to help students understand the major environmental factors that lead to acid rain. Students are supported to ask scientific questions to solve the mystery of how acid rain might impact historical buildings. This lesson can be used in a variety of settings both in person and online modalities.…

Kids are drawn to dolls and dump trucks, and crashing the two together might just be a child's favorite pastime. Who knew such a simple pleasure could serve as an accessible, compelling phenomenon for instigating investigations of force and motion. With a few inexpensive materials straight out of the toy box (literally, a doll, a dump truck, a…

There are arguably advantages to adopting a cross-curricular approach to planning, teaching and learning. This approach often works well for incorporating scientific skills and the wider perspectives of geography, technology and maths. It can help children to develop and consolidate their understanding through practical application and gives them…

The atom is science's biggest idea! And now it is known that even children from 4 years of age can grasp it, creating science education's biggest worldwide opportunity. Dr. Jenny Donovan and Dr. Carole Haeusler of the University of Southern Queensland conducted multiple studies to show that primary-age children, mostly aged 7-9 years in their…

The logistics of finding and inviting STEM professionals (volunteers from science-based industries, universities, etc.) into the classroom can appear daunting, combined with fact-handing over control of some of the lesson. So, do the benefits make the effort worthwhile? In this article, the author describes the impact that STEM professionals could…

In recent years, there has been a growing concern in science education on the enhancement of preschoolers' knowledge and motivation for concepts by implementing efficient teaching methods. This study explored the development and effectiveness of the E-sky Module in increasing the development of preschoolers in Project-based Learning (PBL)…

One of the objectives in the science National Curriculum in England is to 'observe changes across the four seasons' (DfE, 2013: 9). The winter months can be a busy time for teachers, but can also cater for a wide range of science experiments based around the season. Practical investigations based on winter themes can hold a sense of magic and…

Throughout the country, there are many bodies of fresh water affected by algal blooms. By focusing on a water source near their school, students can become scientists, too. Situating science content in real and meaningful learning experiences encourages students to be invested in their own learning, construct deeper understandings, and apply those…

Background: To contribute to smart, inclusive, sustainable, and multisensory practices in science education, this paper presents research that studied the use of electronic sensors by children to address a sound pollution problem in their school. A didactic sequence was specifically designed and implemented to that purpose. Participants: The…

Although research has touted the value of making in educational settings, scant work has been done in formal school contexts utilizing quantitative methods. This could be attributed to the various challenges in integrating making in school settings. To fill in the gap, this study presents an approach to integrate making into science classes at the…