Experiencing Science: Changes to Science Teaching in Primary

Experiencing Science: Changes to Science Teaching in Primary At Regents International School Pattaya, learning in Science allows students to be part of the learning process. Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science.” Edwin Powell Hubble.

Up until this year, Science has traditionally been taught as an integrated subject within our Topic lessons. With the introduction of the new National Curriculum in Primary we have seen a change to the way Science lessons are delivered. Now being a Core Subject, Science learning takes place on a weekly basis with links still being made, where possible, to Topic lesson content. With greater emphasis being placed on Science we are expecting to see a very positive impact on children’s learning and achievement in this curriculum area and it is one of our areas for development within Primary this year. 

Looking through quotes that best sum up how children learn, all lead to the same conclusion; in order to learn, children must be part of the experience and although something may have been taught, this does not mean that a child has automatically learnt: “Learning is not a spectator sport." D. Blocher. “I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they learn.” Albert Einstein. “Nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.” Oscar Wilde.

At Regents International School Pattaya, learning in Science follows these same principles and allows for students to be part of the learning process and not merely spectators whose brains are filled with scientific knowledge passed on by teachers. In the words of one of our Year 6 students, who sums it up rather eloquently, “I learn really cool information in Science. I don’t like writing down facts because I can never remember them. I like to talk with my friends and share ideas about what we will do and what we think we will find out. I learn better when we do practical investigations and I also remember what I have learnt in these lessons.”  

In future Primary Newsletters, I will be talking more about an approach to teaching that is being introduced in collaboration with the Secondary Science department which focuses on children learning through ‘challenge’ and not direct teaching. Watch this space!