We use cookies to give you a better experience. Carry on browsing if you're happy with this, or read our cookies policy for more information.

Skip main navigation
Home / Teaching / Primary Education Teaching / Teaching Primary Science: Getting Started / The bigger picture

The bigger picture

The English National Curriculum states the 5 enquiry types that children must cover throughout their time at primary school.
The English National Curriculum states the 5 enquiry types that children must cover throughout their time at primary school. Last week we discovered these were:
  • Observation over time
  • Pattern seeking
  • Identifying, classifying and grouping
  • Comparative and fair testing
  • Research using secondary sources
However, there are other skills that the children must practice to enable them to be good scientists. Children must be allowed to explore, question and problem solve to develop their curiosity and carry out independent investigations to gain a deeper understanding of the world around them.
‘Effective science teaching is not as straightforward as simply telling children what they need to know. Scientific ideas are abstract. No-one can see an idea in someone else’s mind.’ (Loxley et al. 2014)
Each country has a different National Curriculum and different expectations for developing practical science. Here are links to the science curricula for the four countries of the United Kingdom:

Discover and share

We would like you to take a look at the National Curriculum for your own country and spot any skills that are specifically mentioned for developing practical science. Share what you find below.

Want to keep learning?

This content is taken from National STEM Learning Centre online course
Teaching Primary Science: Getting Started
View Course
See other articles from this course
This article is from the online course:

Teaching Primary Science: Getting Started

Created by
Join For Free

News categories

Other top stories on FutureLearn

FutureLearn offers courses in many different subjects such as

This article is from the free online

Teaching Primary Science: Getting Started

Created by
Join For Free
FutureLearn - Learning For Life

Our purpose is to transform access to education.

We offer a diverse selection of courses from leading universities and cultural institutions from around the world. These are delivered one step at a time, and are accessible on mobile, tablet and desktop, so you can fit learning around your life.

We believe learning should be an enjoyable, social experience, so our courses offer the opportunity to discuss what you’re learning with others as you go, helping you make fresh discoveries and form new ideas.
You can unlock new opportunities with unlimited access to hundreds of online short courses for a year by subscribing to our Unlimited package. Build your knowledge with top universities and organisations.

Learn more about how FutureLearn is transforming access to education

Register to receive updates

  • Create an account to receive our newsletter, course recommendations and promotions.

    Register for free