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.

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 Enhancement Opportunities 

Take a look at the science enhancement opportunities that tie in really well with your child's current learning in science. If you complete any of these fun activities, or any of your own please do send any photos to k.salza@st-clares.manchester.sch.uk We would love to see science taking place outside of the classroom!

Enhancement Opportunities Autumn 2

Enhancement Opportunities Spring 1

Science Enhancement Opportunities Spring 2

Science at St Clare's... 

Owl Pellet Dissection

To mark the end of year 4's learning of the digestive system, parents and carers were invited in to share a fun, hands on, practical investigation lesson. Children dissected owl pellets to explore food chains, compare the diets of a variety of owl breeds and investigate the species found within each pellet! The children (and parents) had so much fun! 

Playground Science 

During breaktimes, children love to use our playground science equipment to explore nature, investigate magnetic materials or use a stopwatch to time running races, or general exercise. 

Curiosity Cube 

Merck’s Curiosity Cube Mobile Science Lab Brings Hands-On Science Education to Manchester!

For the first time Merck have partnered with the University of Manchester for two local events. A team of students and Faculty staff members from the University lead the experiments in the Curiosity Cube, allowing students to explore their scientific curiosity with a range of hands-on experiments lessons. Students had the opportunity to meet real life scientists, ask questions about STEM and explore hands-on science experiments on contamination, leveraging the latest technology. Children from year 4,5 an 6 were involved in the amazing experience, and thoroughly enjoyed their day!

Exploring life cycles 

There has been some 'eggcellent' news this half term (Spring 2) down in EYFS. chicks have hatched, and are exploring their new surroundings. EYFS have been able to link this experience with the learning of life cycles, and other year groups who have visited the chicks have learned more about the animals: whether that be discussions of their growth, their habitat, their diet  or how to care for them. Thank you for the experience EYFS!

British Science Week 2024

To celebrate this year's British science week the children were given the task of completing a piece of written work, artwork or practical work around this year's theme of 'Time.'

Nursery created dinosaur eggs, Reception became paleontologists and explored the bones of dinosaurs, year 1 compared the seasonal changes that occur throughout the year, year 2 designed a new garden area for our forest school with a focus on plants and how they grow, year 3 took on the important task of investigating plastic pollution and thought of creative ways of how to recycle and reuse many everyday plastic items, year 4 visited Heaton Park to assess their current animal farm: they then designed plans for a more economical and eco friendly farm which would benefit the animals and the visitors, year 5 researched the oldest science known to man: astronomy, and year 6 focused on the works of Charles Darwin and Mary Anning with their learning of Evolution. 

Each class visited our science museum which had all the fantastic work created on show to admire and explore. The parents were also invited in to celebrate the fantastically creative week of science learning with us. 

Take a look at the amazing creations! 

Royal Institution 

We have been incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to join in with three fantastic performances led by the Royal Institution. KS1 and KS2 took part in an explosive food performance where they learned about the journey of food through the digestive system, and investigated chemical reactions, how energy is stored and burned by our bodies and the nutrition that is needed for us to survive. Later in the afternoon, we then hosted a community show where parents, and students from Our Lady’s were invited in to explore physics in action. We investigated forces such as friction and gravity and joined in with many amazing experiments. We had the most amazing day! The children thoroughly enjoyed the experience and there has been lots of scientific discussions going on around the school since!

Useful websites

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

A fantastic site to link science to creative writing and reading is: https://clarefearon.wordpress.com/