Lancashire science equipment case studies

Baines Endowed Primary School, Lancashire

Baines Endowed Primary School used some of their grant funds to purchase materials for recording science. The children enjoyed using these - moving away from the reliance on exercise books for recording their work. The school also used a large part of their grant to purchase materials for Kitchen Science, the focus of their science day. This allowed the children to devise experiments using everyday materials. The older children in Year 6 worked with all the other classes to research and carry out experiments together.
The older pupils chose experiments that the younger children would find exciting and that would allow them some hands on science. They were also able to explain the science behind the experiments and worked independently to devise experiences for the younger children and make power points to illustrate their work further.

"The way that Year 6 worked with all the other age groups in the school was a particular success. I think part of this success was that they were working with everyday materials and were intrigued by what they could do by simply mixing kitchen basics. The way in which the children all interacted and communicated was also really rewarding."
(Science Co-ordinator, Baines Endowed Primary School)

Whitefield Infant School and Nursery Unit, Lancashire

Whitefield Infant School and Nursery Unit used their Edina Trust grant to purchase ICT equipment to help them with their "Classroom Under the Sky" project. This project has taken them to to Wycoller Country Park, Thanet Lee Woods, Offshoots permaculture project, Lomeshaye Marshes and their own nursery garden. Activities at Wycoller Park included: a investigation to find the warmest habitat for a hedgehog, planting bulbs and becoming nature detectives to find signs of nocturnal animals. The equipment was used by the children to make their own video recordings and their photos were put into talking books.
In their nursery garden, with the teachers from Forest Schools, children had a bonfire where they learnt about reversible and irreversible changes. Willow twigs were stripped by the children before they were put into a metal box and smoked for several hours. With the charcoal that was created the children made their own pictures.

"The resources purchased through the Edina Grant Scheme have greatly enhanced this project throughout the year, benefitting more than 150 children."
(Science Co-ordinator, Whitefield Infant School and Nursery Unit)

Grange Primary School, Lancashire

Grange Primary School ordered a wide range of science equipment with their Edina Trust grant. This was used to develop a more investigative approach to science, led by pupils' questions and with an increased amount of practical work. This has been very successful, where a number of pupils "recall investigating bubbles as their favourite lesson this year and can also remember what they learnt from it."

"I find science far more enjoyable to teach and fun for pupils, although often a lot messier!"
(Science Co-ordinator, Grange Primary School)

Moss Side Primary School, Lancashire

Moss Side bought a whole range of exciting science equipment with their Edina Grant, for all the school to use. This included nature viewers; used to study the environment around us, petri dishes, digital microscopes and a digital camera. As well as this they invested in a "Climate Change, Energy and Environment" CD Rom, renewable energy kit and "Sand, Snow and Solid Physical Science Wonder Kits".

"The "Climate Change, Energy and Environment" CD Rom provided us with lots of information and was a very valuable resource"
(Science Co-ordinator, Moss Side Primary School)

Our Lady and St Gerard's Catholic Primary School, Lancashire

Our Lady and St Gerard's held a seaside themed day to help develop pupils investigative and enquiry skills. The school used their Edina grant to purchase equipment including a variety of sand (such as moon sand and snow sand), pipettes and beakers.

Balladen Community Primary School, Lancashire

Balladen held a science day and bought a range of science equipment with their Edina grant. The pupils conducted experiments with the consumables and science equipment purchased for experiments covering topics such as electricity, forces and life cycles.

St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Fleetwood, Lancashire

The pupils at St Mary's were encouraged to design and create pampering products, which they then sold to parents. All the ingredients used were natural, and the children could observe the changes that are caused by mixing products. The children experimented with amounts and ingredients, making science real to their experiences.