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| Jenny Martin shares her expertise with children from Challoner Primary School |
This month we feature a guest post from Chartered Chemical Engineer Jenny Martin.
As a chartered chemical engineer who moved into “semi
retirement” (otherwise known as “maternity leave”) many years ago, I have made
it my mission to spread the wonders of science to all young minds who cross my
path. I have been working as a
childminder and volunteering at several local schools so the young minds
available to me have been many!
Several years ago, I discovered “Children Challenging
Industry” while it was being presented to the Year 6 pupils at my local primary
school. I delved into the bank of resources
available on their website and have continued to do so at regular intervals
ever since.
I have used the “Tidy and Sort” resources with groups of
Reception/Year 1/2 children. The
resources were clear and simple to follow; the story book being a great visual
guide to set the scene and start the children thinking.
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| The front cover of the Tidy and Sort resource that Jenny has used with EYFS and KS1 chidlren to 'get them thinking'. |
While teaching States of Matter to a group of Year3/4
children, I used the “Whip or Squirt?” test from the Kitchen Concoctions
resource pack. This was an excellent
experiment comparing dairy cream and artificial cream. It encouraged some great discussions and
ideas for recording their results.
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| Learning about states of matter using the whipped cream activity from the CIEC resource Kitchen Concoctions. |
I am currently working with a group of four Year 5 “Science Ambassadors” to help them deliver science activities across the whole school. So far they have led States of Matter themed experiments with Years 3, 4 and 5 classes and all involved seem to be enjoying themselves.
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| A Year 5 science ambassador shares his enthusiasm for science with some younger children. |
It is so rewarding when the children rush up to me in the
playground to ask when I am coming back into school to do more science. Historically, science has been perceived as
the “boring” or “hard” subject, it is great to see the tide turning and it now
being promoted to the fun topic it so rightly deserves!
Mission
accomplished!!
