SCIENCE Portfolio
Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science - Edwin Powell Hubble
At John Burns Primary School, we aim to spark curiosity, creativity and confidence through a rich, hands-on science education. Our curriculum builds knowledge and skills year by year, helping children to think, question, investigate and explain the world around them. Through practical enquiry, real-life experiences and links with scientists and the wider community, we inspire a lifelong love of science and open doors to future careers. By the time our pupils leave us, they are confident scientific thinkers – equipped with strong understanding, precise vocabulary and high aspirations for the future.
Upcoming events:
Thursday 4th December 2025: Autumn 2 Science Investigation Morning
Friday 6th to Sunday 15th March 2026: British Science Week
Science Investigation Morning - Autumn 1 2025
Every half term, parents are invited into the school to take part in Science Investigation Morning. This is a chance for them to take part in a science lesson with their child, assist in encouraging high-quality, practical learning in science and have fun with their class while doing so! Here are some photographs from our first investigation morning of 2025, with Year 1 conducting taste tests, Year 2 investigating the role of plant stems, Year 3 learning about the fossilisation process through mould making, Year 4 investigating the properties of different liquids and Year 5 discovering the actions of volcanos.
Year 4 Astronights Overnight Stay at the Science Museum - May 2025
In May, Year 4 pupils had the opportunity to go on a thrilling scientific journey – an overnight stay at the Science Museum for Astronights, an night-at-the-museum event where they witnessed demonstrations several exciting scientific phenomena such as the digestion process in space for biology, lightning conducting through plasma for physics and invisible ink for chemistry.
Science Investigation Morning - Spring 2 2025
Our Spring 2 Science Investigation Morning saw another fantastic range of thrilling practical learning, supported by our parent volunteers. From a Year 2 minibeast hunt to a Year 6 fossil dig, the parents who attended were instrumental in helping their class gain vital, in-depth scientific knowledge through practical learning and discovery.
Science Investigation Morning - Autumn 1 - 2022
Year 1
Using my Senses - Crisp Taste Testing
Year 2
Properties of Materials - Left: Grow a Rainbow on a paper towel | Right: Absorbency
Year 3
Soil types and permeability
Science Investigation Morning - Autumn 2 - 2022
Year 5
Living Things and their Habitats - Flowering Plants
Year 6
Electricity - Steady Hand Circuit
Science Investigation Morning - Spring 1 - 2023
Year 3 and Year 5
Left: Year 3 Plants | Right: Year 5 Day and Night - Space
Year 4
Electricity - bulb brightness
Science Investigation Morning - Spring 2 - 2023
Year 1
Animals including Humans - making clay hedgehogs
Year 2 and Year 3
Left: Year 2 Animals Including Humans - testing reflexes | Right: Year 3 Properties of Materials - passing of light through materials (opaque, transparent, translucent)
Year 4
Animals including Humans - identifying the different types of teeth and their function
Animals Including Humans - making model teeth using clay
Year 5
Air resistance and gravity - making parachutes
British Science Week - March 2023
Year 5 - STEM Enrichment
Year 5 took part in a STEM enrichment project as part of British Science Week. The class was split into four groups and each group had a different DigiWiz kit to build. They built worm robots, mop robots, carnival wheels tanks and wind energy fan cars.
Year 4 Overnight Stay - Astronights at the Science Museum - March 2023
Astronights took Year 4 on a journey into space with hands-on science shows and workshops.
Space Zone
The class found out what it takes to be a space explorer. They made a wearable solar system to launch table-top rockets and heard from space experts around the UK.
Lunar Movers
The class hitched a ride across the Moon. They made their very own lunar rover.
It Takes Guts in Space
They followed the journey of an astronaut's food into their mouth, through the acid bath in their stomach, along metre after metre of pulsating guts, and then out the other end!
Wonderlab
The class explored the beauty of the science and maths that shapes our everyday lives. This helped the class to see the world around them in new and exciting ways.
3D IMAX Screening
The class met members of the International Space Station in an immersive IMAX presentation shown on one of the biggest screens in the UK.