image of multiple science dice that helps to build science knowledge and practice vocabulary

Science Dice

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

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3-5, 5-7, 7-9, 9-12

A hands-on resource for retrieving science vocabulary and using it with understanding

In the guidance report, Improving Primary Science (EEF, 2023), the first of the six recommendations highlights the importance of developing children’s scientific vocabulary so they can use it with understanding and participate effectively in science.

Science Dice provide an engaging hands-on approach to supporting children to recall science-specific vocabulary and to apply it in their science learning. The resource consists of sets of topic-related, age-appropriate scientific words that are designed to be used with 12cm sided foam dice with clear window pockets. Each vocabulary set consists of an A4 page of six words which, when cut into separate cards, can be inserted into the pockets on one dice.

What does Science Dice include?

Vocabulary card sets for different science topics with sets organised into age groups as below:

  • Early years (3-5)
  • Lower Primary (5-7)
  • Middle Primary (7-9)
  • Upper Primary (9-12)

Sets of foam dice are available from TTS-group. Visit TTS to purchase.

A teacher guide giving a range of suggestions about how to use the dice in the classroom.

Download the teacher guide
an image of the educational resource called Science Dice with vocabulary cards to put in the sleeves

Science Dice vocabulary sets

a close up of an owl

Animals

Early Years (3-5)

Science Dice Cards
a child swimming in a pool

Animals

Lower Primary (5-7)

Science Dice Cards
an image of a skeleton from the ribs to skull

Animals

Middle Primary (7-9)

Science Dice Cards
image of blood vessels

Animals

Upper Primary (9-12)

Science Dice Cards
UK light switch

Electricity

Middle Primary (7-9)

Science Dice Cards
an image of a simple series circuit

Electricity

Upper Primary (9-12)

Science Dice Cards
picture of two family members with similar features

Evolution & Inheritance

Upper Primary (9-12)

Science Dice Cards
several rubber ducks floating in a pool

Energy, Forces

Early Years (3-5)

Science Dice Cards
a colourful top spinning

Energy, Forces

Lower Primary (5-7)

Science Dice Cards
an image of a child in the classroom displaying how magnets work by using magnetic objects in a plastic bottle and a magnet on the outside of the bottle

Energy, Forces

Middle Primary (7-9)

Science Dice Cards
children in the classroom observing a bottle rolling down a sloped board

Energy, Forces

Upper Primary (9-12)

Science Dice Cards
an image of a slug on pavement with half of its body raised off the ground

Biodiversity & Habitats, Climate Science

Early Years (3-5)

Science Dice Cards

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.