Thinking, Doing, Talking Science

Develop cognitively challenging, practical, and interactive primary science lessons through thinking, doing, and talking

What is Thinking, Doing, Talking Science (TDTScience)?

TDTScience is an inclusive approach to teaching primary science which has been shown to significantly improve children’s attainment and attitudes. It is one of the sources of evidence for the Education Endowment Foundation’s 2023 Improving Primary Science guidance report.

What’s the evidence?

The research evidence for TDTScience comes from a Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) funded by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) in 2013-15. This efficacy trial showed that, on average:

children taught by the TDTScience-trained teachers made three additional months’ progress in science,
girls and children with low prior attainment made four months’ progress,
there were indications that the approach was particularly beneficial for children eligible for free school meals (5 months’ progress),
TDTScience had a significant positive impact on children’s attitudes to science.

A research paper about the impact of TDTScience was published in the International Journal of Science Education in 2020 and can be accessed here.

An EEF-effectiveness trial, exploring whether the full impact of the efficacy trial can be replicated at scale, is currently being evaluated. A pre-trial report published in September 2023 is available here. The evaluation report will be published in Spring 2025.

4-day training programme

What will I learn?

The TDTScience programme empowers teachers to create challenging science lessons that foster higher-order thinking. Four engaging training days, spread across the academic year with gap tasks, showcase TDTScience strategies through different science topics. Suitable for all primary ages and compatible with any curriculum.

Key course content includes:

Developing all children’s knowledge and understanding through higher-order thinking skills
Ready-to-use classroom activities
Practical science focused on both children’s knowledge and skill development
Effective assessment through focused recording
Progression strategies across the curriculum for all students

Download the TDTScience approach overview

TDTScience courses

Where can I find a course?

Under an exclusive license from The Oxford Trust, the Primary Science Teaching Trust will serve as the lead national partner for delivering Thinking Doing Talking Science courses across the UK, starting 1st June 2024.

PSTT is running the following TDTScience courses in 2025:

Houndsfield Primary School, N9 7RE

Tue 4 March, Mon 28 April, Wed 21 May, Wed 25 June (Course in progress)

Coming soon – Online TDTScience taster session

Wed 11 June, 16:00 – 17:00 (Registration opening soon)

Courses in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire will continue to be delivered under The Oxford Trust’s Science Oxford team. For information about 4-day courses in Oxon or Bucks, please contact: [email protected]

Thinking, Doing, Talking Science trainer delivering a course to teachers

Real classroom impact

What teachers say after TDTScience training

“Pupils are more able to verbalise in a scientific way. They have retained more knowledge and applied skills more efficiently as they have progressed. Their acceptance of others’ ideas and the ability to change their own, as they listen to one another, especially during the Bright Ideas Time is having an impact in all areas.” Teacher, Staffordshire

“TDTScience is a hands-on practical approach to infusing learning with the scientific method without sacrificing valuable substantive knowledge.” Teacher, Teesside

Discover how TDTScience supports you

Anything else you need to know?

We’re here to help! If you still have questions or want to learn more about how TDTScience can work for you, reach out directly.

For more information, contact [email protected] or visit tdtscience.org.uk.