Science Resources for Primary Schools
The Australian Science curriculum wants our young learners to see science as a way to explore, question, and speculate about the changing world in which we live.
At Essential Resources, we want to give educators the tools to teach primary science constructively and confidently. Our science resources for primary school contain experiments, investigations and worksheets – plus troubleshooting tips. All to make it easy to include science in your classroom.
Using the Forensic Science book, students will become forensic scientists using crime-solving techniques. Emergency Science will give your students a foundation for action to respond to climate change. Or use Smart Science to spark our students’ curiosity about Living World science.
What are the primary methods for teaching science in primary school?
The Australian Academy of Science outlines several evidence-based methods for teaching science in primary school.
The first is to document scientific inquiry. This can be through TWLH (or KWL) charts, which elicit students’ prior knowledge. Another method is to use a science journal or design portfolio throughout the inquiry to record observations, experiences and reflections.
The second strategy is to facilitate discussions. The website says, “Argumentation is at the heart of what scientists do.” Students develop a deeper understanding by communicating, sharing and debating their ideas.
Thirdly, incorporate collaborative learning into your science lessons. Collaborative learning is essential for developing science-specific and more general learning skills, like considering other perspectives and contributing to discussions.
Lastly, conducting fair test investigations is central to teaching primary science constructively. Fair testing finds the relationships between variables. It gets students creating hypothesises, collecting evidence and making conclusions – all of which bring science into the classroom.
How can I relate teaching science to the real world?
The Emergency Science series is for students who wonder what the point of learning science is and how it relates to the real world.
The primary science resources demonstrate how science is relevant and central to their lives. For example, the Surviving Medical Emergencies edition will resonate with students after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Similarly, the very real threat of climate change is an avenue for teachers to link science to the real world. Environmental Education through Science not only teaches students how to use the scientific method but also gives them the tools to advocate for positive change.
What resources are suitable for the Australian science curriculum?
Science Smart by Caroline Mulholland
This series of primary school science books covers the living, physical and material worlds - plus planet Earth and beyond.
The series is aimed at Year 5 and 6 students. It especially focuses on the “science as a human endeavour” and “science understanding” strands.
Environmental Education through Science by Patsy Blackstock and Paul Mason
This primary school science resource has links to all the Australian states’ science learning objectives and outcomes. It supports the key concept of interdependence, where students understand that everything on Earth is linked.
Additionally, the Australian science resource includes a unit plan to make it easier for teachers to implement environmental education science in their classrooms.
Sustainable Living by Maria Gill
Not only does this resource link to the Australian science curriculum, but it also links to the English one too.
Through the context of the science curriculum’s big ideas (like “every system has a carrying capacity), students learn cross-curricular skills such as defining, classifying and reflecting.