When the Great Science Share was moved online because of Covid-19 school closures, science lead Liz Southwell set a whole school weekly science challenge for pupils to take part in at home instead. Using PSTT’s Science at home’ resources to set an initial starter investigation, the children were encouraged to explore further at home. The Great Science Share Question Makers helped the children to develop their own questions to investigate, for example:

Which material (pasta, rice, Coco Pops, Lego or marshmallows) makes the loudest shaker? Lego was definitely the loudest whereas the marshmallows could barely be heard!

Do different colour backgrounds make ice melt faster? In this experiment, grey was first, then red, blue, purple, green and, finally, white!

How do I measure my pulse rate and what effect does exercise have on my heart?

Pupils sent in photos and videos of their own investigations, demonstrating their learning at home. Further examples here.

Raysfield Federation, South Gloucestershire