St Michael's Academy

Science teaches an understanding of natural phenomena through the disciplines of chemistry, physics and biology. It aims to stimulate a child’s curiosity in finding out why things happen in the way they do. It teaches methods of enquiry and investigation to stimulate creative thought. Children learn to ask scientific questions and begin to appreciate the way in which science will affect the future on a personal, national, and global level.

In its simplest form science is concerned with finding out about things. It involves a systematic study of the natural and physical world based on processes that lead to the drawing of conclusions. From birth, children naturally investigate their surroundings; they question the world around them, experiment and draw conclusions. The steps in this process lead to a progressively deeper scientific understanding. It is important therefore to build upon a child’s natural curiosity and to encourage a scientific approach based on a rich resource of experiences. In the primary school, it is important that many of these experiences are first-hand although the use of ICT and secondary sources of information has a part to play.

Our intent:

• develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about the natural world
• develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics through, where possible, investigation and first-hand experience
• develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help children to answer scientific questions about the world around them
• be equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future