From engaging science experiments, effective role-play scenarios and useful digital technologies through to intriguing Maker spaces, colourful science fairs and community collaboration in your school, there are so many ways that you can be the spark that ignites a passion in students for understanding how the world works. This book takes you through the practical and realistic ways you can teach the kind of science that kids care about!

Greeting s! 3
Introduction: Primary challeng es

an d opp ortunities 7

A call to action! 12

Who am I? 18

Over to you 21

1. Understan ding the students 25

Student misconceptions: Strange ideas abound! 26

Students' perceptions of scientists and science lessons,

and the effect on learning 35

Teaching science to gifted kids … overcoming the challenges 41

What will they remember? 44

2. Priming the classroom 51

The seed of an idea: Using stimulus material to prompt

a discovery mindset 51

How poor science models can still be useful for teaching science 66

Variables and fair testing: Teaching the heart of science experiments 70

Teacher Toolbox: Inexpensive materials that teach science at a pinch 82

3. Unleashing teaching tactics 93

Scenarios that spark students' interest in science 94

Using history as a narrative within science 105

Create a class STEM pitchfest! 109

Lessons and learnings when taking students on bush walks 113

Using craft materials to teach problem-solving 120

Building bridges using craft materials 124

Establish a Maker space and join the movement! 132

4. Leverag ing technology 141

Science apps for the classroom: Devices at the ready! 142

Robotics: Teaching problem -solving in a digital environment 145

Classrooms without walls: Break through using video conferencing! 162

Using drones to teach science 173

Some more quick ways to integrate technology into

a primary science lesson 178

5. Exploring social media 189

Classroom science blogging 190

Pinterest® for education: It's a hive mind of ideas! 196

The value of short-form videos for teaching 201

Trello®: A social media solution to classroom organisation

and lesson planning 205

Teaching science through memes 212

6. Engag ing the community 221

Create a school science fair that draws attention! 222

Create a community science garden 227

Observance days and STEM learning opportunities 233

Getting creative creates community 237

Citizen science 248

You can do this! 261

Supp ort resources 267

About Fizzics Education 267

Science apps for a variety of uses 270

Video conferencing resources 283

References 285

App endices 289

Colour blindness in the classroom 289

How to improve school communication using Slack® 296

Acknowledgements 303

About the author 307