ABSTRACT
This chapter provides five short case studies of primary science in action. The chapter shows some of the different ways of implementing the important features of effective science education practices in primary schools. First is engagement. A second key feature concerns the provision of 'things' for the children to talk about, manipulate and use in answering their questions. A third aspect is to tap into the knowledge the children already have about the topic, so that they can use relevant existing ideas and develop them into more powerful ideas. Accessing these ideas means that children have to communicate them in one way or another, through talk, writing, drawing or action. Among these is talk, which is the most immediate and can be used at any time and in a variety of contexts, thus constituting a fourth key feature. Fifth is involving children in using inquiry skills. Sixth is the use of technology to aid investigations.
