upper primary students observing a science investigation in their classroom

Did you know?

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Animals, Biodiversity & Habitats, Climate Science, Electricity, Energy, Evolution & Inheritance, Forces, Light, Plants, Properties & Uses of Materials, Rocks, Fossils and Soils, Sound, Space, States of Matter

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Enrichment, Practical Science, Science Enquiry, Scientists and their work, Topical Science

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7-9, 9-12

Cutting-edge research can be linked to primary science curriculum topics.

Aimed at teachers and adults interested in introducing cutting-edge science research projects to primary age children, PSTT has created freely downloadable Did you know? articles which are linked to primary science curriculum topics.

Articles are written in language that primary children can understand and suggest questions for children to consider.

Accompanying Teacher Guides (which can be used a classroom presentations) describe activities and investigations that children can do related to the research.

You might have noticed some improvement if you’ve been a long time user of I bet you didn’t know… We have recently updated the resource to Did you know? – this resource still links to cutting-edge science but now with the following improvements:

  • Reading opportunities to help children understand how science is applied in the world around them.
  • Guidance for teachers to improve science capital by encouraging pupils to connect science learning to world events.
  • Teacher Guides are now made simpler by linking the research to one primary science topic and one learning objective within that topic.

Learn more about this exciting resource from our recent webinar. Professional learning events can be found here – including a 40-minute session all about Did you know? and how you can use it in your classroom.

Interested in bringing climate science topics to your classroom?

Carry out your own investigations to mirror scientists’ research

Primary children are hearing about climate change and its impact from many sources. How can teachers help children to understand what is going on without worrying their pupils?

We have five climate-related articles to get you started. These new articles are designed to be readable for older primary children either independently or with some teacher support. Questions are included to help pupils reflect on the research or to guide teachers in leading a discussion. In providing children with the opportunity to read about scientific research, these articles could improve science capital by encouraging pupils to believe that they are able to understand science when they encounter it in the wider world. We plan to add more climate science articles to Did you know? so be sure to bookmark this page to stay informed.

Use the filters below to find our climate science articles and many more articles explaining recent research.

rebranded image of Did you know?

Did you know?

  • Clear filters
underwater scene of life around the coral reef

Climate Science, Energy, Sound

Soundscapes can help restore coral reefs

Curriculum links: Sound / Climate change

Practical Science, Science Enquiry, Scientists and their work, Topical Science | 7-9, 9-12

Climate Science, Properties & Uses of Materials

Geoengineering could slow melting of Arctic ice

Curriculum focus: Properties and uses of materials (reflectivity) / Climate change

Practical Science, Science Enquiry, Scientists and their work, Topical Science | 7-9, 9-12

Properties & Uses of Materials

Historical ink

Curriculum focus: Separating materials (ink)

Enrichment, Science Enquiry, Scientists and their work | 7-9, 9-12

Forces

Weird, wiggly, crawling wheels roam Mars

Curriculum focus: Friction

Enrichment, Practical Science, Science Enquiry, Scientists and their work | 7-9, 9-12

a person has picked up a handful of dirt

Rocks, Fossils and Soils

Soil Fungi could Reduce Global Warming

Curriculum focus: Soil

Enrichment, Practical Science, Science Enquiry, Scientists and their work, Topical Science | 7-9, 9-12

a shark swimming under water

Animals

How to Calculate the Age of a Shark

Curriculum focus: Growth and Ageing

Enrichment, Practical Science, Science Enquiry, Scientists and their work, Topical Science | 7-9, 9-12

a close up image of skin were a few tiny hairs are visible

Animals

How to Grow a New Skin

Curriculum focus: Healthy body (skin)

Enrichment, Practical Science, Science Enquiry, Scientists and their work, Topical Science | 7-9, 9-12

Solar system

Space

How to Play Planetary Hide & Seek

Curriculum focus: Space (relative movement of planets)

Enrichment, Practical Science, Science Enquiry, Scientists and their work, Topical Science | 7-9, 9-12

Graphene

Properties & Uses of Materials

How to Clean Water Using a Molecular Sieve

Curriculum focus: Separating mixtures and dissolving

Enrichment, Practical Science, Science Enquiry, Scientists and their work, Topical Science | 7-9, 9-12

Biodiversity & Habitats

Stripes & Concealment

Curriculum focus: Adaptation (camouflage)

Enrichment, Practical Science, Science Enquiry, Scientists and their work, Topical Science | 7-9, 9-12

Oak tree

Electricity

How Plants Know Good Microbes from Bad Ones

Curriculum focus: Chemical changes

Enrichment, Practical Science, Topical Science | 7-9, 9-12

Diagram of Cassini

Space

One of Saturn’s Moons May be Home for Extra-Terrestrial Life

Curriculum focus: Life in Space

Enrichment, Practical Science, Science Enquiry, Scientists and their work, Topical Science | 7-9, 9-12

It helped me think like a scientist as it gave me ideas to base my own ideas on.

Rose (aged 9) Devon

Three pupils learning

About the project

What are the benefits of introducing cutting-edge research to children?

  • Children learn how current science research has an impact on real-life.
  • By carrying out related investigations in the classroom, children can imagine themselves as scientists.
  • Children’s attitudes towards science research and scientists are enriched.
  • Children’s science capital is enhanced.

Download these guides to find out more about the project and how to use I bet you didn’t know… resources in your classroom.

Guidance

IBYDK Guidance

Meet the Team

IBYDK team

Further reading

IBYDK Publications

Safety 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.