Scientific Play

Science can be fun and exciting for children if it is made appealing and interesting. Johnston (2014) states that scientific play is all about children experimenting and exploring. It is about children enquiring through their play and discovering the learning outcomes through their own decisions. Science is not seen as a subject that has a lot of practical learning. In primary schools children do some practical science activities such as planting plants or testing their heart rate but they do not allow children to enquire the area themselves. They are told the outcome before they have completed the experiment. In secondary schools children do practical experiments but again they are told the outcome before the experiment, also they do not always get to do the practical experiment as they have to listen to the teacher talk through everything first plus they may have to answer questions or write about the possible outcome before they do the practical.

Johnston (2014) explains that even small children do certain skills during play which are scientific such as grouping objects for certain reasons is similar to sorting the variables in an experiment. These skills are expanded on as the child gets older and they will then learn why they use these skills. Also asking questions is apart of scientific play as it allows the child to experiment and explore the possibilities of an answer for the answer.

Techniquest is a good place for school trips or just in general for scientific play. There are 100's of activities there for children of all ages to enjoy. This place allows children to learn about different aspects of science in a way that allows them to experiment and discover themselves. There are a number of classes that are held that schools can book to go to for the children to get an individual experience.

This video is an experiment about changing colours and how the paper towels absorb the water and transfer it. This video is good for younger children to do as it can help them learn about their primary colours and other colours, also it will allow them to start to understand simple science like how the water is absorbed through the paper towel.