"Working scientifically is the lifeblood of each and every area of science subject matter, and is what gives life and sustenance to learning new knowledge and developing understanding within Science. It is a large part of the science curriculum and is embedded throughout all the topics."

 Science in Action at St. Michael Catholic Primary and Nursery School

 Welcome to Science in Action at St. Michael Catholic Primary and Nursery School!

We are committed to making science an exciting and engaging part of our students' learning journey. Our curriculum encourages children to explore, experiment, and discover the world around them through hands-on activities and interactive lessons. Whether it's investigating the natural world, experimenting with materials, or delving into the mysteries of space, we aim to spark curiosity and inspire a lifelong love of science.

At St. Michael's, science is not just a subject; it's an adventure in learning that promotes critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Come join us as we make science come to life for all our pupils!

Year 5 have been investigating evaporation and the separation of substances.
Using resources borrowed from St. John Fisher, the children made lemonade and then observed how the sugar separated from the liquid over time.

The activity involved a variety of scientific enquiry skills, including:

• Observing changes over time as the sugar dissolved and then began to separate

• Recording results to track what happened to the ingredients

• Asking questions and making predictions about the effects of evaporation

• Discussing scientific ideas such as how liquids can change state and how mixtures can separate

Through this hands-on investigation, the children developed a practical understanding of evaporation and how scientists study changes in materials.

Each group chose one variable to investigate—space, soil, light, or water—and monitored how it influenced their plants over time.

This activity encouraged a wide range of scientific enquiry skills, including:

• Planning and setting up a fair test by changing only one variable at a time

• Observing changes over time to see how each factor affected plant growth

• Recording and comparing results using charts or notes

• Making predictions and drawing conclusions about what plants need to grow well

The children loved being young scientists and discovered for themselves the important role of water, light, soil, and space in helping plants thrive.

Year 6 have been exploring the human circulatory system through a heart dissection.
The children carefully examined a real heart to identify its chambers, valves, and major blood vessels, gaining a hands-on understanding of how blood flows through the body.

This activity developed a range of scientific enquiry skills, including:

• Observing closely to notice the structure and features of the heart

• Classifying and labeling different parts of the heart

• Asking questions and discussing how each part functions

• Comparing the heart’s structure to diagrams and models they had studied

Through this practical investigation, the children gained a deeper understanding of the structure and function of the heart and how it supports life.

Armed with magnets, the children went on a scientific hunt around the classroom and playground, testing a variety of objects to see which were attracted to the magnet and which were not.

This activity involved a range of enquiry skills, including:

• Observing closely to notice how different materials reacted

• Classifying and sorting objects into magnetic and non-magnetic groups

• Making predictions about what might happen before testing each item

• Discussing and explaining their findings with their peers

The children were excited to see the different results and enjoyed investigating the science all around their school environment!

KS1 have been thoroughly enjoying their Science Club sessions!
This week, the children became real scientists as they made their own ice cream. They explored how mixing salt with ice lowers the freezing point, making the ice even colder. This extra-cold mixture was then used to freeze their ingredients.

During the activity, pupils used a range of enquiry skills, including:

• Observing changes over time as the liquid mixture slowly turned into ice cream

• Exploring and comparing materials, noticing how ice and salt behave when combined

• Asking questions and making predictions about what might happen to the ingredients

• Using simple measurements, such as timing how long the freezing took

The children loved watching the transformation take place and were excited to taste the results of their scientific investigation!

Our Year 3 scientists have been exploring how shadows change.
They measured shadow lengths, recorded their results using bar graphs and used pattern seeking enquiry to look for relationships in their data.

Our Year 3 scientists have been busy exploring how light works!
Using enquiry skills such as asking questions and observing changes, they compared what they could see inside a dark box and what happened when light was added. They concluded that light is essential for seeing and that darkness is simply the absence of light.

Reception had so much fun exploring colour mixing!
Through exploration and observing closely, children experimented with paints to discover what happens when colours come together. This hands-on enquiry helped them build early scientific thinking, make predictions, and talk about the changes they could see.

Year 5 St. Augustine class have been busy investigating the properties of different materials.
Using enquiry skills such as comparative testing and classifying, they explored how materials behave and what makes each one unique.

🌱🔬 Year 3 Students Become Junior Scientists! 🔬🌱

This week, our Year 3 students have been diving deep into the world of plant science by planning and conducting their very own investigations! 🌿💡 They’ve been exploring the question: What happens when one element that a plant needs to survive is removed?

After researching and discussing the essential elements plants need – like water, light, air, and soil – the children carefully designed their own experiments to test how removing one of these factors affects plant growth. 🌞💧

Each investigation has been thoughtfully planned, and the students have set up their experiments to observe over time. They can’t wait to see the results as they monitor their plants’ growth and draw conclusions! 🌱📊

What a fantastic way for our budding scientists to apply their knowledge and learn through hands-on exploration! Stay tuned for updates on their findings! 🌿🔍

#Year3Science #YoungScientists #PlantExperiments #LearningThroughExploration #STEM #GrowingCuriosity 🌱✨

🌞🔍 Year 3 Scientists at Work! 🔍🌞

Our young explorers have been diving into the fascinating world of shadows! 🕵️‍♂️✨ The children used their scientific skills to investigate how shadows change size when the light source is moved closer. 

They began by setting up their experiments with various objects and a flashlight, observing the differences as they adjusted the distance. 📏💡 The excitement was contagious as they recorded their findings in different ways: drawing charts, taking photographs, and even writing descriptive notes! 📊📸📝

The students discovered a clear pattern: as the light got closer, shadows grew larger! 🌟 They worked collaboratively, sharing ideas and asking questions, and it was amazing to see their curiosity in action.

What a wonderful way to learn about light, shadows, and the scientific process! Great job, Year 3! 👏💚 #Year3Science #Shadows #STEMLearning #CuriosityInAction

St. Michael’s Space Competition: A Stellar Effort!

The children of St. Michael's were given a special challenge: to participate in the Space Competition, which encouraged them to explore the wonders of space from the comfort of their homes. We were absolutely overwhelmed by the number of entries, and we are incredibly proud of each student for their hard work and dedication.
- Research Skills: The students tapped into their curiosity about space, conducting research to gather interesting facts and ideas. They explored topics like planets, stars, space travel, and even alien life, using books, websites, and other resources to help them understand more about the universe.
- Creativity: With their research in hand, the children used their creativity to bring their ideas to life. Whether they created space-themed models, artwork, posters, or even stories, each entry reflected the students' imagination and passion for space.

Well Deserved Praise:
The amount of effort and enthusiasm shown by the students and parents was truly inspiring. Each entry was a unique representation of their individual ideas and interests. It's clear that the students worked diligently, and we want to commend them all for their outstanding effort. They should be incredibly proud of themselves for taking part and showing such enthusiasm for the subject.

A Huge Congratulations:
Thank you to everyone who participated! Whether they won or not, each student demonstrated a love of learning and creativity that we can all be proud of. Keep up the great work, and keep exploring the universe—who knows what amazing ideas will come next!

Duggie Dug Dug Inspires St. Michael’s with Faith and Wonder through Science!

 We were thrilled to welcome Duggie Dug Dug to St. Michael's RC Primary School and Nursery for a truly unique and inspiring session that brought together Religious Education and Science. Duggie's engaging presentation showed our students how small acts—like seeds planted with kindness and faith—can grow into something extraordinary. Using the wonders of science, he demonstrated how even the smallest actions, when rooted in love and care, can have a big impact, much like how faith can inspire greatness in the world around us.

Through fun and interactive activities, Duggie helped our children see the link between scientific discovery and the values of love, compassion, and wonder that we cherish in RE. It was an unforgettable experience that sparked curiosity, deepened faith, and encouraged our pupils to dream big and make a positive difference.