Primary school science introduces children to the wonders of the world around them, and encourages them to ask big questions. Whether through exploring the growth of plants to understanding forces and motion, science lessons build curiosity and a sense of discovery.
Through hands-on investigations and practical activities, children develop critical thinking skills and a deeper appreciation for the world around them.
This foundation is essential not just for budding scientists but for fostering a lifelong love of learning. Science in primary school focuses on making connections, stimulating curiosity, and helping children understand the relevance of science in everyday life.
In this post:
Why Science Matters In Primary School
Science plays a vital role in helping children make sense of their surroundings. It teaches them to observe, question, and experiment, turning natural curiosity into a structured way of thinking.
These skills are transferable, boosting problem-solving and logical reasoning, which can be applied across all areas of learning. Not only that, but understanding science equips children with the knowledge to make informed decisions in a world increasingly shaped by technology and innovation.
From climate change to medical advancements, the national curriculum in England focuses on helping children grasp the importance of scientific exploration and their place within them. In fact, by the government’s definition, the aim is that all pupils:
- Develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry, and physics
- Develop understanding of the nature, processes, and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them
- Are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future
Key Takeaways
Primary school science sparks curiosity and teaches children to ask big questions about the natural world
Science equips pupils with skills like observation, questioning, and problem-solving, which apply across subjects
Early years science focuses on playful discovery, like growing plants and observing seasonal changes
Years 1 & 2 introduce simple structures, such as plant parts and seasonal changes, through interactive lessons
Years 3 & 4 deepen understanding with topics like plant life cycles, forces, and simple circuits
Years 5 & 6 tackle advanced themes like evolution, the human circulatory system, and the solar system, as well as preparing pupils for secondary education with practical experiments
Science in the Early Years
The early years are foundational, and science at this time happens through play and observation for children. Many little ones will find themselves learning about how science works through hands-on experiences, such as growing plants, observing seasonal changes, and through wet and dry messy play.
The key focus of this stage is to nurture that natural curiosity that children have, encouraging them to talk about what they see and experience, and to begin to analyse what may be causing these things to happen.
Overall, this is less a formal lesson in structure, and more about creating and cultivating that excitement and interest for later years of learning.
Science in Year 1 & 2
Years 1 & 2 are when science introduces more structure, but lessons remain playful and interactive. Pupils explore everyday materials, animals, and plants, as well as seasonal changes.
This stage prioritises observation and asking simple questions like, “What happens if…?” or “Why does…?”
Some examples of areas your child may learn about include:
- The basic structure of plants
- Why seasonal changes happen
- Basic knowledge on animal and human body parts
- Basic concepts of chemistry
Key Stage 1 Science
Key Stage 1 introduces more complexity while still building on earlier themes. Pupils dive deeper into the life cycles of plants and animals, forces and magnets, and the properties of rocks and soils.
Practical activities, like testing magnetic strength, using purified water to showcase different liquid densities, or classifying rocks, help reinforce theoretical knowledge.
Science in Years 3 & 4
During these years, children are introduced to more complexity while still building on earlier themes. Pupils dive deeper into the life cycles of plants and animals, forces and magnets, and the properties of rocks and soils.
Alongside the theory, children will ground this knowledge with experiments such as bending water with static electricity, mixing oil and water, and dissolving sugar at different temperatures. These cover different scientific principles, and help introduce the concepts in a way that captures children’s imaginations at this age.
Other areas of learning include:
- Plant life cycles
- States of matter – solid, liquids, gases, and how materials swap between these states
- Classification keys for living things
- Human and animal digestion, and food chains
- Introductions to electricity – simple circuits and components like insulators and conductors
Lower Key Stage 2 Science
In Key Stage 2, children start considering scientific methods more systematically.
They learn to set up experiments with variables and control measures, making use of laboratory stables like ethyl alcohol in controlled settings, and creating a stronger foundation for critical thinking. The focus is on fostering a more analytical approach while keeping learning engaging and accessible.
Science in Years 5 & 6
At this stage, education prepares children for secondary school with a more detailed and investigative approach. Themes such as evolution, the human circulatory system, and electricity are introduced.
Lessons often involve collaborative projects and experiments, helping children to explore concepts more deeply.
By now, children will be learning about:
- Light, how it travels, and how we see
- Electricity, including voltage, circuitry, symbols, and diagrams
- Evolution, fossils, dinosaurs, and theories of adapting to environments
- A wider range of living things and their habitats
- A deeper look at the periodic table of elements and how these chemicals interact
Upper Key Stage 2 Science
During Upper Key Stage 2, pupils develop a clearer understanding of abstract ideas like gravity, chemical changes, and the solar system. They may start to be introduced to the industries that use these principles, alongside other practical, real-life examples.
Not only that, but they also refine their ability to present findings and justify conclusions. These years are about consolidating knowledge and applying it creatively to solve problems or explain phenomena.
Another important part of this stage will be building up the pupils towards GCSE science, introducing them to relevant chemistry resources, carrying out practical physics experiments, and showcasing a wider range of biology-led theories and practicals.
Helping prepare them for this next stage in their education helps mark the end of this foundational period of their scientific journeys.
Conclusion
Primary school science is about much more than memorising facts. It’s an exciting journey that builds children’s confidence, encourages their natural curiosity, and lays the groundwork for lifelong learning. By encouraging exploration and developing essential skills, science helps children understand their world and imagine its possibilities.
