The Royal Society of Chemistry
At the Royal Society of Chemistry, we recognise the value of primary science in developing a child's understanding of the material world. Through the teaching of big ideas such as change of state and properties of materials primary teachers are laying the foundations of chemistry and inspiring the scientists of the future.
We are committed to helping primary teachers develop their confidence in teaching science through our numerous activities.
Working with other Organisations
We also work with other organisations such as our sister societies, the BBC, the Royal Society, British Science Association and the Wellcome Trust. Examples of projects we have been involved with include Terrific Scientific and Brian Cox school experiments: Primary science series.
Resources
Our online resource hub Learn Chemistry has a dedicated primary area with over 180 resources to support the teaching of chemistry-relevant sections of the various curricula throughout the UK and Ireland. The resources are broken up into key areas:
- Everyday materials
- Solids, liquids and gases,
- Reversible and irreversible change,
- Earth science
- Teacher support
Based on feedback from PSQM teachers and hub leaders, we have created supporting information for over 125 of our primary resources. The information includes how the resource relates to the curriculum, ideas for how a resource can be used in the classroom, and practical advice and tips that may be useful when using a resource.
This information has been written by Craig Early, a PSTT Primary Science Teacher Award winner, and quality assured by the Centre for Industry and Education Collaboration (CIEC).
Highlights
One of the most recent additions to our resources list is a collection of 'Science ideas webs.' These documents link science with history topics from prehistory to the space race, e.g. the biology, chemistry and physics of the Vikings. These webs were written by PSQM teacher and hub leaders and developed and edited by Millgate House Education.
If you are looking for high-quality primary science resources that relate to specific curriculum statements, then check out our curriculum mapping documents. Here we have created collections of resources relating to each of the English, Scottish and Welsh curricula.
Review of Learn Chemistry - Primary Resources
Claire Seeley (PSQM hub leader, Primary Education Consultant, and organiser of Primary Pop Up at ASE Conference 2016)
"The material from the Royal Society of Chemistry is really useful for highlighting to me where chemistry can fit in with the world around us, helping me to identify the chemistry in everyday objects, giving me ideas of contexts through which we can explore scientific phenomena. Here are a few of my favourites:
1. Talk for primary science – a really insightful set of films where teachers explain and model how they support and encourage scientific talk amongst children, using a range of proven teaching strategies such as concept cartoons and puppets.
2. Concept cartoons – these simple cartoons promote discussion and debate, exploring the implications of chemical change in the wider world, like acid rain, condensation, and rusting and the nature of science.
3. The interactive Periodic Table – this is a must for all children who loved reading The ITCH trilogy and want to explore the world of elements. You can adjust the settings to show pictures of the elements or delve deeper to find out who discovered each one and how it might be used. There is also a set of elements top trumps cards and teaching ideas.
4. Colour chemistry – a set of five experiments exploring colour which are really good for helping children to develop their observational skills. They include bubbles, chromatography, scatter tubes, multi-coloured milk and traffic lights.
5. There are lots more fun resources exploring chemistry in action, all signposting teachers to where chemistry is used to develop new materials: magic sand, hand warmers, uv light, thermochromic materials, and more."