A love of science | Malvern Primary School

Year one – Teeth

In this exciting workshop, children explored the science of teeth and their role in both humans and animals. They began by investigating why we have different types of teeth—such as incisors, canines, and molars—and their specific functions in eating and chewing. They also learned about the structure of teeth and how to care for them to maintain good oral health.

The session introduced the concept of animal classification through teeth. By examining skulls and jaws, the children discovered how the shape and arrangement of teeth can reveal an animal’s diet and lifestyle. This hands-on investigation encouraged curiosity and critical thinking.

To extend their learning, the children crafted their own “take-home teeth sets.” They could later decorate these models by colour-coding teeth based on their functions or illustrating the effects of decay and debris. This creative activity provided an opportunity for them to share their learning with friends and family, combining education with imagination.

Y2 Adaptation and camouflage

In this dynamic workshop, children discovered how animals and humans adapt to their environments to survive. Through vibrant visual aids and hands-on activities, they explored fascinating examples of adaptation, including how camouflage helps organisms blend into their surroundings to avoid predators.

The workshop journey delved into how animals develop physical traits and behaviours over time that are perfectly suited to their habitats. Children investigated these survival strategies and connected them to real-world examples in nature.

As a creative extension, each child designed a unique habitat for their own butterfly, combining science with art. These creations provided an engaging and memorable way to study a key curriculum area.

Y3 colour of light

In this illuminating workshop, children explored the fascinating “colour of light” through a variety of hands-on experiments. They investigated light absorption and lasers using specialist equipment, learning that light is made up of seven colours.

Through practical activities, children discovered that the colours we see are those not absorbed by the objects a light shines upon. This interactive approach helped them understand key scientific principles in a fun and engaging way.

To extend their learning, each child created their own colour spinner to take home, allowing them to continue exploring the concepts introduced in the workshop. Expertly tailored for KS1 and KS2, this session was perfectly adapted to suit the children’s age and abilities, making it an ideal addition to light topic learning.

Y4 Electricity and circuits

In this hands-on Electricity and Circuits workshop, children explored the exciting world of electricity through a variety of engaging experiments. Tailored for KS2 learners, the session brought electricity to life, helping children understand how it powers everyday appliances, including those that light up, heat up, produce sounds, and move.

Through practical activities, children learned essential concepts, including:

Electricity as a flow of energy and its dependence on complete circuits.
How switches control circuits by breaking or completing them.
The role of voltage as the “push” that moves the current.
The difference between conductors, which allow electricity to flow, and insulators, which block it.

They also investigated how to change the brightness of bulbs and observed how circuits act as maps for current to follow. Emphasis was placed on safety when handling batteries and electrical sources.

This engaging workshop combined interactive learning with practical applications, making it an ideal way to deepen KS2 children’s understanding of electricity and circuits in a fun and memorable way.

Y5 Rocket Challenge

In the KS2 Rocket Challenge workshop, children explored the principles of forces and energy through exciting hands-on activities. They began by learning about the science behind rockets, including how forces like thrust and gravity affect motion. Using this knowledge, the children worked collaboratively to design and build their own rockets.

Once their rockets were ready, they participated in test flights, analyzing how their designs performed and making adjustments to improve them. The workshop concluded with a lively rocket-flying competition, where they showcased their creations and celebrated their efforts.

Y6 Heart dissection

In the heart dissection and circulation workshop, children explored the structure and function of the heart and how blood circulates through it. They started by learning about the importance of the heart in pumping blood and ways to keep it healthy through lifestyle choices.

They examined the anatomy of the heart, including the roles of different parts such as the atria, ventricles, valves, and major blood vessels, to understand how each part contributes to circulation.

In the hands-on portion, the children carefully dissected a lamb’s heart under guidance, learning safe techniques and identifying key structures they had studied. This practical activity allowed them to observe real heart anatomy, reinforcing their understanding of the heart’s complex design. They also discussed common heart diseases, such as holes in the heart, and how surgeons can repair these defects, linking their observations to real-world medical applications.

Year One – Will it Float?

Why do some things float? The children learned about the properties of every day items. What does and does not float? How do up thrust, buoyancy, and forces help?

Year Two – Adaptation and Camouflage

This adaptation and camouflage workshop brought to life how animals and humans adapt to survive. The children used lots of fascinating visual aids and had great practical experiences too. Children could Identify that most living things live in habitats to which they are suited and could describe how different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of animals and plants.

Did you know that over time animals also develop physical characteristics and behaviours which are best suited to their habitat?

Year three – Massive Magnets

The children investigated the Earth’s amazing magnetic field. They explored the properties of magnets, plotted their flux patterns and behaviours. The children focused on magnets, magnetic fields and materials and the role of magnets in travel. Why does the earth have a magnetic field? What is the journey of a flux line in a bar magnet? Can a magnet create a force? What role did lodestones play in navigation before compasses were invented? After children explored these questions every pupil made their own compass to experiment with.

Year four – Surprising sounds

Children identified how sounds are made. They linked the sounds with vibrations. Then they experimented with how vibrations translate into sound in our ears. The children found patterns between the pitch of a sound and features of the object that produced it. Children discovered patterns between the volume of a sound and the strength of the vibrations that produced it. Children recognised that sounds get fainter as the distance from the sound source increase.

Year five – Colourful Candels

The colourful candle workshop introduced Heat, Light and Chemical Energy. the children learn about hydrogen, oxygen and carbon. The children investigated why the candles burn and different energy sources. The children looked at what respiration and candles have in common. What are high energy materials? Why do we need to make candles out of high energy materials? Every child made a candle to take home. The children investigated why the candles burn and different energy sources. The children looked at what respiration and candles have in common. What are high energy materials? Why do we need to make candles out of high energy materials? Every child made a candle to take home.

Year six – CSI bloodspatters

The children looked at how blood spatters evidence and use of forensics can help reconstruct the events that took place at a crime scene. They discovered if the victim is indeed innocent, using a range of pupil led investigations.