At Hogarth Academy, we know our children are inquisitive about the world they live in and the wider universe. Through our teaching of Science, the children will learn a range of subject specific skills, through which, they will gain a range of subject specific knowledge. The range of skills and knowledge is ensured through the key concepts that are:
Working scientifically:
This is the study of the nature, processes and methods of science. It incorporates different methods of inquiry, data collection and ways of presenting findings.
Plants and animals, including humans:
This is the study of plants and animals, including humans. It covers the basic needs for survival; naming, locating and understanding the role of key parts of plants, animals and humans; understanding, using and justifying classifications of living things.
Living things and their habitats
This is the study of habitats and the living things that inhabit them. The needs of these living things are researched and the ways in which the habitats provide the necessary requirements of survival are examined. Local habitats are explored with learning walks and observations. Costal habitats are investigated as a precursor to our annual, whole school, trip to the coast.
Materials
This is the study of materials, their properties, their advantages and their disadvantages. Scientific inquiries allow the properties of materials to be examined before using the data to understand the advantages and disadvantages of different materials. Knowledge from these inquiries can then be used to understand which materials would suit specific jobs.
Forces & Magnets
This is the study of knowing and understanding the range of natural forces in our universe. Observations, fair tests, and grouping introduce children to the concept of natural forces. As they progress through school, children continue to use scientific inquiries to investigate air resistance, gravity, friction and water resistance.
Electricity
This is the study of electrical appliances and electrical components. Key symbols are studied and used to understand electrical circuits. Practical experiences are provided through the making of electrical circuits and scientific enquiries into voltage, performance and complete circuits.
Light
This is the study of light, how it travels, how it helps us to see and its dangers. Natural and man-made light sources are considered as well as optical instruments that use light to operate, such as magnifying glasses, telescopes, mirrors and binoculars.
States of Matter
This is the study of the solids, gasses and liquids. Everyday materials are examined and used to understand that: solids hold their shapes, gasses escape from an unsealed container and liquids form a pool. The teaching of how materials can change state leads to an exploration of the water cycle.
Seasonal Change
This is the study of the four seasons (Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn) and their characteristics.
Rocks
This is the study of rock types and their properties through observations and classifying. It also introduces the stages of soil formation and an exploration of how fossils are formed.
Sound
This is the study of how sound is made and how it travels and how it is heard, through scientific inquiries and hands-on experiences with musical instruments as well as, everyday objects that can be used to create sound.
Earth & Space
This is the study of our solar system. Where possible, distances and relationships between the planets, the sun and the moon should be demonstrated to scale, to portray the solar system in the most realistic way.
Evolution and Inheritance
This is the study of the evolution of living things on Earth, through the examination of fossils and key theorists such as Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace.
Science in the Early Years
Learning scientifically and learning about the concepts within Science starts in the early years. We have mapped out the progression of pupil skills for our youngest children.
