How do teachers help children understand the difference between the structure of a flower and that of a root? Depending on the time of year this activity is quite easy. Get a bunch of flowers, germinate some chickpeas and raid the kitchen for carrots and beetroots--the children can experience the "real thing". But what if teachers want the…

Taking children out of the classroom to learn in a totally different environment can be very rewarding for both the children and the teacher. Part of the excitement is the unfamiliarity of the place, which has its positive sides but can lead to a lack of focus. As part of the Darwin 200 celebrations in 2009, the Charles Darwin Trust and…

Motivating children in science can be a challenge for teachers. This is especially true as the children get older and science no longer has the novelty value that it had when they were younger. Enhancing children's motivation is not a simple process. In the authors' experience one of the most important factors is creating a clear purpose for…

Life is presenting humans with more and more issues that need careful consideration and teachers can be sure that children in their primary schools today will be faced with equally challenging dilemmas when they grow up. Even now, quite young children are being faced with some important decisions about what they should eat or whether they could…