a close up image of small, colourfully painted pumpkins, decorated with various sizes of black dots

Sketchbook Science

Projects for children to learn and apply both scientific and artistic skills

Sketchbook Science is a set of eight projects that combine learning in both science and art. Each project has been developed and trialled by a collaborative group of practising teachers with expertise in science and in art. Rigorous attention has paid to ensuring that the essence of good teaching in both science and art has been maintained, enabling purposeful learning to take place in both subjects.

The projects cover the teaching of substantive concepts relating to the biological, chemical and physical sciences, and they all offer opportunities to develop disciplinary knowledge and to learn and apply skills of science enquiry. The children are also introduced to new skills and techniques in art, and each project culminates a piece of work in which the children apply and communicate their new learning and skills in both science and art.

Learn how the Sketchbook Science activities might be used in your own setting. Visit our events page for a 40-minute video to help you better understand the resource and see the projects in practice.

Start your Sketchbook Science planning

Each Sketchbook Science lesson contains:

Expected learning outcomes for children’s conceptual development
Key artistic and scientific vocabulary
Resource lists
A step-by-step list of suggestions about what to do in the learning activities for art and for science investigations
Ideas for recording and presenting results from the science investigations
Examples of artwork
Information about the artists that inspired the learning activity ideas
Further resources related to the activities
Background science explanations to support teachers
Links to related Explorify activities

Download the curriculum coverage document to reference for each project.

Curriculum coverage

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Sketchbook Science

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primary child's artwork of the solar system with planets being water coloured

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.