I Want To Do Science

Reception to Year 2

Hands-on workshop for up to 30 students = 60 minutes

What is a scientist and what do they do? An introduction to making observations using the senses. Explore some simple experiments that you can try at home or in your classroom using everyday items - great for sparking ideas for your own investigations. An introduction to solids, liquids and gases.

Room requirements

Set up time: 20 minutes. Pack up time: 20 minutes. Change-over time in between repeat sessions: 5 minutes. Floorspace big enough for 30 students to sit and watch, with at least 2 large tables at the front and 4 more tables spread around the room, a garbage bin, access to electricity, and running water close by.

Australian Curriculum links

Reception / Foundation Year

Science Understanding

Chemical sciences: objects are made of materials that have observable properties. Investigating different forms of clothing used for different activities.

Science as a Human Endeavour

Nature and development of science: Science involves exploring and observing the world using the senses (hearing, smell, touch, seeing, but we don't eat science experiments). Recognising that observation is an important part of exploring and investigating the things and places around us. Sharing observations with others and communicating experiences. Exploring and observing using hearing, smell, touch, seeing and taste.

Science Inquiry Skills

Questioning and predicting: Respond to questions about familiar objects and events.

Planning and conducting: Explore and make observations by using the senses.

Communicating: Share observations and ideas. Working in groups to describe what students have done and what they found out. Communicating ideas through role play and drawing.

Year 1

Science Understanding

Chemical sciences: Everyday materials can be physically changed in a variety of ways. Exploring how materials such as water, chocolate or playdough change when warmed or cooled.

Physical sciences: Light and sound are produced by a range of sources and can be sensed. Recognising senses are used to learn about the the world around us: our eyes to detect light, our ears to detect sound, and touch to feel vibrations. Exploring different ways to produce sound. Comparing sounds - loudness and pitch.

Science as a Human Endeavour

Nature and development of science: Science involves asking questions about, and describing changes in, objects and events.

Use and influence of science: People use science in their daily lives. Exploring how musical instruments can be used to produce different sounds.

Science Inquiry Skills

Questioning and predicting: Respond to and pose questions, and make predictions about familiar objects and events. Using the senses to explore the local environment to pose interesting questions, make inferences and predictions. Thinking about "What will happen if...?" type questions about everyday objects and events.

Year 2

Science Understanding

Chemical sciences: Different materials can be combined, including by mixing, for a particular purpose. Exploring the local environment to observe a variety of materials, and describing ways in which materials are used. Investigating the effects of mixing different materials together (and chemical reactions).

Physical sciences: A push or pull affects how an object moves or changes shape. Exploring ways that objects move on land and in the air. Considering the effects of objects being pulled towards the Earth.

Science as a Human Endeavour

Nature and development of science: Science involves asking questions about, and describing changes in, objects and events. Describing everyday events and experiences and changes using knowledge of science. Suggesting how everyday items work, using knowledge of forces or materials.

Use and influence of science: People use science in their daily lives.

Science Inquiry Skills

Questioning and predicting: Respond to and pose questions, and make predictions about familiar objects and events. Using the senses to explore the local environment to pose interesting questions, make inferences and predictions. Thinking about "What will happen if...?" type questions about everyday objects and events.