Watch the first video in the series here, or search through the activity cards below to find the rest of the videos in the series.
Starters for Science
Animals, Biodiversity & Habitats, Energy, Forces, Light, Properties & Uses of Materials, Sound, States of Matter
Practical Science, Science Enquiry, STEM
5-7, 7-9, 9-12
A series of five-minute videos to get started with practical enquiry
Each video includes:
- A question or scenario related to the real world
- Time for children to think about what they already know
- A demonstration of a starter practical activity
- Time for children to think of their own questions
- Ideas about what they could find out for themselves
- Encouragement to share what they found with others
These videos are designed to get children doing some simple practical science enquiry. They are not age specific, nor directly aligned to any particular curriculum unit. They are intended to give children valuable practical experiences that they will then be able to draw on once they meet the relevant concepts in a more formal learning situation. Activities require minimal resources and can be used in school or at home.
The Starters for Science videos were created by Ali Eley (Outreach Director), Kate Redhead (Regional Mentor) with Alex Farrer (PSTT College Fellow).
Grateful thanks to PSTT Fellows who took part in the videos: Rufus Cooper, Emma Crisell, Tom Jones, Jenny Lister, Jeannette Morgan, Hannah Osueke, Katharine Pemberton, Jules Pottle, Vanessa Seerhra, Elaine Stockdale and Tracy Tyrrell, and also to Haf Hayes for all the Welsh translations.
Videos
Forces
Paper Towers
Explore and make different-shaped towers with Alex Farrer.
Practical Science, Science Enquiry, STEM | 5-7, 7-9, 9-12
Forces
Straw Planes
Take flight by building straw planes with Tom Jones.
Practical Science, Science Enquiry, STEM | 5-7, 7-9, 9-12
Properties & Uses of Materials, States of Matter
Paper Flowers
Investigate absorbency and paper with Vanessa Seehra.
Practical Science, Science Enquiry, STEM | 5-7, 7-9, 9-12
Animals, Biodiversity & Habitats
Animal Camouflage
Practical Science, Science Enquiry, STEM | 5-7, 7-9, 9-12
Properties & Uses of Materials, States of Matter
Melting Ice
Practical Science, Science Enquiry, STEM | 5-7, 7-9, 9-12
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Pictures for Talk
A collection of ten ‘Pictures for Talk’ previously featured in PSTT’s Why&How magazine.
Explore resourceSafety Notice & Disclaimer
PSTT advises teachers to refer to either the CLEAPSS website or SSERC website for up to date health and safety information when planning practical activities for children.
PSTT is not liable for the actions or activities of any reader or anyone else who uses the information in these resource pages or the associated classroom materials. PSTT assumes no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information contained in these resources. PSTT recommends that a full risk assessment is carried out before undertaking in the classroom any of the practical investigations contained in the resources.
All materials are ©Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT) and are freely available to download and share for educational purposes. Whilst educators are free to adapt the resources to suit their own needs, acknowledgement of copyright on all original materials must be included. Rights to images included in the resource have been purchased for PSTT use only – as such, these images may only be used as part of this resource and may not copied into or used in other materials.
