Inquisitive children at Chilton Primary in Ramsgate put their thinking caps on to take part in this year’s Great Science Share for Schools.

The international campaign inspired children aged from five years old to 14 to ‘ask, investigate and share’ their various scientific findings.

All year groups from Reception to Year 6 used their scientific thinking skills to find answers to questions. The aim of the fortnight-long challenge was to engage Chilton’s children in communicating their scientific questions and investigations with new audiences.

Science leader and Year 5 teacher Carol Isaac explained: “All children at Chilton are challenged to think like a scientist. One of these skills is to be able to share what they find out with different audiences.

“Our children rose to the task from attending workshops at Wildwood wildlife park and conservation charity near Canterbury to making information videos, from strawberry picking to classifying mushrooms. Every child had the opportunity to share what they found out in a true celebration of science.”

Deputy Head of School Hannah Cheshire said the challenge was important. She said: “It focussed attention on delving in to specific and diverse subject areas and then encouraged our pupils to find out sufficient valuable information to be able to share with others.

“The findings were shared in a variety of ways decided by class teachers - some children invited parents in to school to see their work, others met with different year groups to explain their findings, while some made videos to share online.

“The initiative is in line with the science curriculum, with follow up work flowing into each year group’s learning map in the subject.”

Questions and investigations included: Year 1: What is the life cycle of a strawberry? They visited a local strawberry farm to meet the farmer and see the life cycle of the fruit in action.

Year 3 were asked ‘are all plants the same?’ They observed a variety of plants and then organised an art gallery for their parents to see their detailed drawings.

Year 5 had to discover if it is possible to separate mixtures. This year group visited Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School in Ramsgate to experience a practical lesson involving filtering, evaporation and condensing and were able to take home their own fools’ gold from their original mixture once they had separated it.

The Great Science Share for Schools website states: “Taking part helps to support key skills and knowledge in science learning including: developing scientific

vocabulary, encouraging pupils to explain their thinking, guiding pupils to work scientifically and relating learning to relevant, real world contexts.”

Find out more about the annual campaign online at www.greatscienceshare.org.

Chilton Primary is part of the Viking Academy Trust with partner schools Upton Juniors and Ramsgate Arts Primary.

*For more information contact Head of School Alex McAuley on 01843 597695