How did these new My Science Club resources enrich your science provision?
My Year 1 class are enthusiastic scientists, and always get very excited about learning new information, so the My Science Club sessions on recycling paper was the perfect next step to follow on from our work on materials in the Spring Term, as it stimulated wonder and curiosity, and opened up a whole new area of investigation that we are still pursuing!
We started by thinking about what we use paper for. The children had lots of creative ideas, and remembered making their own cardboard in a previous lesson. We then explored what we mean by “recycling”. We already have Eco Warriors in our class, so the children could confidently explain how and why we recycle.
I am an Eco Warrior. It is an important job because we recycle the paper we use. It turns into new paper, so we can use it all over again- Tilly aged 5
It’s when you put something in the bin that you don’t want anymore. Then it gets smashed up and rebuilt, and you can use it again – Lily aged 5
How did the My Science Club GSSfS resources help the children to ask their own scientific questions?
The resources provided helped to steer the discussion, and encouraged the children to think of their own scientific questions. This then led us down a different path of investigation for a while, finding out about where our recycling at home goes, but eventually we moved on to making our own recycled paper – with sparkly bits in it!
Can you recycle paper if it has sparkly bits on it? – Erin aged 5
How do they recycle paper in a factory? – Charlie aged 6
How did these My Science Club resources help the children to engage with the sustainable development goals (especially number 12)?
The next step, once we had made the recycled paper, was to think about sustainability, and this was where the My Science Club resources were invaluable. This was a tricky concept for the children, but following the structure of the planning helped to steer the discussion onto the sustainable development goals. Some children also remembered seeing the icons on science displays around school.
We also introduced the “I wonder…” speech bubbles during this discussion, and this is where it got really exciting.
I wonder what will happen if we make it wet again? – Maria aged 6
I wonder if we can recycle it again? – Rose aged 5
And finally, how did these My Science Club resources support you as an educator to lead the sessions?
The children have been so enthusiastic about their ideas, that we have continued our investigations, using different coloured paper, adding seeds, and using the dried paper to make traps. We have also continued to make more paper, and seeing how long we can leave it before we dry it, and finding new places to dry it around school. The investigations have been endless, and stimulated so much discussion. I will definitely use these resources again, and can see the potential for use with children across school.
Top tip – don’t leave the pulp too long because it turns slimy, and smells disgusting even when it’s dried!
Vicky Walsh,Y1 teacher and science leader at Monk Fryston Primary
Click here to download your FREE pack and try this yourself from our sample session section of our website
Click here to access our FREE resources on the Great Science Share for Schools (GSSfS) website and learn more about this annual campaign for children to share their science with a new audience!