The new National Curriculum Programme of Study for primary science in England includes most of the topics with which primary teachers are familiar. However, when looking at the science enquiry section, the changes are much more far-reaching. Science enquiry has been renamed as "working scientifically" and is integrated with developing…

The author looks at the future of primary science, and is not encouraged. It's pretty much all over for science in primary schools. One only has to look at the poor showing on the stands at January's ASE Annual Conference to see that it is no longer a publishing priority. Eroded by falling status, undermined by national strategies, and finally put…

A recent curriculum development from the Nuffield Foundation rose to the challenge of producing a set of resources to establish STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) as a curriculum focus. The result is two STEM cross-curricular projects: "Games," inspired by the London Olympics, and "Futures," a novel…

This article features the award-winning Climate Change Schools Project which aims to: (1) help schools to embed climate change throughout the national curriculum; and (2) showcase schools as "beacons" for climate change teaching, learning, and positive action in their local communities. Operating since 2007, the Climate Change Schools…

The ASE welcomed the removal of the Key Stage 3 tests for England. The change gives teachers in England greater flexibility when planning courses and promotes a wide range of curriculum opportunities for pupils aged between 11 and 14. It will increase children's engagement with science, by encouraging a wider variety of learning and assessment…

In this article, the author discusses why the history of science should be included in the science curriculum in schools. He also presents some opportunities that can come out of using historical contexts, and findings from a study assessing the place of history of science in readily available textbooks.

Models are included in the science National Curriculum because modelling is a key tool for scientists and an integral part of how science works. Modelling is explicitly referred to in the Programmes of Study for Science at Key Stage 3 and 4 (age 11-16) and in Assessing Pupil's Progress (APP). Pupils need to learn how to use models because they are…

Outlines the range of reactions to the revised National Curriculum Orders for science that are diverse in nature and intense in feeling. Reports that a general reaction from those who teach in schools is one of relief because of the promised moratorium on further change for five years. (JRH)

Highlights the issues of moderation of teacher judgments for accountability and moderation for achieving consistent assessments. Discusses the meaning of moderation, the need for moderating teacher judgments, approaches to moderation, methods of moderation, and most appropriate methods of moderation at Key Stage 3. Presents an approach to…

Describes issues related to the elementary and secondary science curriculum in Northern Ireland and identifies proposals for educational improvement at key stages 3 and 4. (YDS)

Suggests that further changes to the science curriculum should take place and argues that strategies for change must recruit the energies and talents of teachers if they are to be effective. (JRH)

Describes the Key Stage 3 Strategy and its four main principles-- expectations, progression, engagement, and transformation. Includes an example of a high school science booster program. (DDR)

Summarizes a level in the science education curriculum and identifies some goals to be reached. Examines the scope for future development and speculates on possible obstacles in reaching those goals. (DDR)

Proposes that one way of smoothing the move from primary to secondary science is for year 6 students in primary school to begin work that is continued in secondary school. (DDR)

Argues for greater emphasis in the science curriculum on the spiritual and moral contexts in which scientific ideas have been developed. (JRH)