Primary Horizons - Starting Out in Science

This report, based on a scoping study carried out for the Wellcome Trust by Queen’s University Belfast and St Mary’s University College Belfast, set out to explore teachers’ views and experiences of primary science across the United Kingdom and to identify ways in which it could be improved.

The publication of Primary Horizons came at a time when there were suggestions of a decline in children’s attitudes towards science in the later primary years. The aim was to reverse the trend with action to ensure that the needs of both teachers and students are met, with the understanding that children’s early years are key to shaping future attitudes in society towards science.

The report stresses the importance of children's understanding of scientific concepts and their development of scientific and thinking skills. Teaching should aim for young people to develop attributes such as perseverance, independence, cooperation and curiosity. It should also seek to develop scientific literacy by making science more relevant to their everyday lives, an understanding that will help young people to become active and informed citizens .