Hands-On Primary Science: Experiments for Curious Minds

Description

Teaching science in primary school works best when teachers are able to go beyond superficial learning and rote memorization, and when children can “touch” the subject, test it, and see it in action.

Curiosity, questions, and simple experiments are often far more effective than memorising definitions or formulas.

This course intends to help primary teachers make their science lessons practical, engaging, and as accessible as possible, even when school resources are limited.

Participants will find inspiration on how to organize lessons for different science subjects, such as biology, chemistry, physics, and math, through hands-on activities, everyday materials, and clear, age-appropriate language that their young learners can easily understand.

During the week, teachers will be guided in facilitating simple experiments using objects and ingredients that can commonly be found at home or in the classroom itself.

These activities will show that science can be taught in a relevant and motivating way even without complex equipment, while still encouraging observation, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

Also, a special focus will be on the importance of helping young learners to explore and analyze their surroundings beyond the classroom, turning everyday situations into meaningful learning opportunities.

During the course, participants will design their own experiments and create an inquiry-based learning environment, and will have the chance to practice building hypothetical scenarios around open questions such as “What if…”.

This approach will support children in making predictions, testing ideas, and thinking creatively, helping them move beyond “right or wrong” answers to develop a deeper understanding even of abstract scientific concepts.

At the same time, participants will reflect on their own language by learning how to communicate science effectively with primary students.

That is to say: how to ask the right questions, how to guide discussion, and how to respond to children’s curiosity in a supportive way.

The course will end by celebrating the fun side of science teaching, exploring playful experiments that students will be excited to try at school, at home, or even (why not?) at birthday parties.

A great way indeed to spark curiosity for scientific subjects in young learners, fostering critical thinking and providing foundational knowledge for future STEM careers.

Concept by Alenka Miljević

Learning outcomes

The course will help participants to:

• Learn the benefits of science education in primary school for developing curiosity, observation, and problem-solving skills;
• Understand how to facilitate low-equipment experiments for young learners;
• Safely use common kitchen resources to carry out hands-on science activities with young learners;
• Communicate scientific ideas using clear, age-appropriate language;
• Deliver science lessons that extend beyond the classroom, encouraging observation and analysis of the surrounding environment;
• Use questioning strategies to support inquiry-based learning and scientific thinking;
• Design engaging and motivating science activities that make learning enjoyable and fun;
• Create a digital handbook for primary school experiments.

Tentative schedule

Day 1 – Course introduction and Primary science education benefits

• Introduction to the course, the school, and the external week activities;
• Icebreaker activities;
• Presentations of the participants’ schools;
• Cognitive, social, and life skills developed through science;
• Academic and future benefits: The role of science in supporting future learning and STEM pathways;
• Strategies for developing simple and effective science language for young learners.

Day 2 – Scientific approach – the child’s way

• 5E model in the primary classroom;
• Hands-on workshop: applying the 5E model through simple experiments;
• Questioning and evaluating results;
• Introducing the scientific method in an age-appropriate way (the importance of questions).

Day 3 – Street/beach science

• Designing outdoor science activities for different subjects;
• Exploring the environment through the senses;
• Outdoor activity: STEM in everyday environments – biology and physics in the street or on the beach.

Day 4 – Park/forest science

• Practical activities for different science subjects outdoors;
• Observation, data collection, and sensory exploration;
• Outdoor activity: creating a simple sensory map as a science learning tool.

Day 5 – Kitchen experiments

• The science behind everyday kitchen phenomena;
• Hands-on workshop: safe and effective kitchen experiments;
• Creating a shared digital handbook of primary science experiments (“What if…?” approach);
• Science party: playful experiments to boost motivation and engagement.

Day 6 – Course closure and cultural activities

• Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussion;
• Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance;
• Excursion and other external cultural activities.

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