Starting Science Again

′The structure [of this book] encourages active participation via reflective activity boxes which further allows for the engagement and consolidation of ideas...Evidence based research is cited resulting in the author suggesting a number of practical activities to encourage progression and continuity in science′ - ESCalate Why do pupils′ learning and motivation slow down markedly as they move from primary to secondary school? Why is this situation worse in science than in any other curriculum subject? This book combines reports of and reflection on best practice in improving progression and continuity of teaching and learning in science - particularly at that transition stage between primary and secondary school. Presenting the views of teachers and pupils on progression, learning and application of science, the book suggests practical ways of improving teaching and learning in science. Each chapter includes examples of learning materials with notes on how these might be used or adapted by teachers in their own classroom settings. Science teaching in secondary schools is often based on assumptions that children know or can do very little, so the job in the secondary school becomes one of showing pupils how to start ′doing science properly′, as if from scratch. The damage that this false view can do to pupils′ learning, motivation and confidence is clear. This book will help teachers to assess children′s prior knowledge effectively and build meaningful and enjoyable science lessons.

Young children are intuitive scientists. This book builds on their inherent curiosity and problem solving as they move forward in their scientific thinking. Science develops from early beginnings and a solid foundation in the early years is essential for their future learning and engagement with the subject. Starting Inquiry Based Science in the Early Years shows you how you can support children’s emerging scientific skills by working with them and scaffolding their inquiries as they experiment, hypothesise and investigate building on their natural curiosity. Full of practical advice, it offers a wide range of scientific activities that can be carried out in partnership with young children. Each activity presents a challenge for the child to solve by thinking and talking through their ideas and then carrying out their own investigations. This invaluable guide focuses on helping children to follow their own line of inquiry and supporting them in mastering the skills and vocabulary they need in order to do this. Features include: An explanation of the key skills children need to acquire and practical ideas for developing these; Useful lists of relevant vocabulary and everyday resources; Cue questions to encourage children’s thinking skills; Cross-curricular links to show how the activities support early literacy and mathematics. Providing a rich bank of resources for promoting scientific experiences and learning, this highly practical book will help you ensure that the children in your care have the strong foundations they need to become confident, successful scientists in the future.

Christian apologist Ben Smith believes that the creation account in Genesis 1 can be read literally and historically as a real week of seven normal days without contradicting modern astronomy and geology regarding the age of the universe and Earth. Many Christians are divided over how to reconcile Genesis with modern science, and this book evaluates all of the major options, ultimately concluding that the Bible allows for an old universe and Earth in a way that is also scientifically accurate. A former Young Earth creationist, Smith now believes that the age of creation is not specified in the Bible, and therefore scientists are free to answer the question. He believes that Christians should not hide from the controversy over the age of the Earth, but should take a fresh look at the text and be impressed with its accuracy.

Beginning Science: Biology is for use during the first three years of secondary education. It provides a foundation for GCSE and includes topics of social significance to give a more balanced view of the subject.

This book will be of interest to anyone who wishes to know what role mathematics can play in attempting to comprehend the dynamics of the human brain. It also aims to serve as a general introduction to neuromathematics. The book gives the reader a qualitative understanding and working knowledge of useful mathematical applications to the field of neuroscience. The book is readable by those who have little knowledge of mathematics for neuroscience but are committed to begin acquiring such knowledge.

'Science has never had an advocate quite like David Deutsch ... A computational physicist on a par with his touchstones Alan Turing and Richard Feynman, and a philosopher in the line of his greatest hero, Karl Popper. His arguments are so clear that to read him is to experience the thrill of the highest level of discourse available on this planet and to understand it' Peter Forbes, Independent In our search for truth, how far have we advanced? This uniquely human quest for good explanations has driven amazing improvements in everything from scientific understanding and technology to politics, moral values and human welfare. But will progress end, either in catastrophe or completion - or will it continue infinitely? In this profound and seminal book, David Deutsch explores the furthest reaches of our current understanding, taking in the Infinity Hotel, supernovae and the nature of optimism, to instill in all of us a wonder at what we have achieved - and the fact that this is only the beginning of humanity's infinite possibility. 'This is Deutsch at his most ambitious, seeking to understand the implications of our scientific explanations of the world ... I enthusiastically recommend this rich, wide-ranging and elegantly written exposition of the unique insights of one of our most original intellectuals' Michael Berry, Times Higher Education Supplement 'Bold ... profound ... provocative and persuasive' Economist 'David Deutsch may well go down in history as one of the great scientists of our age' Scotsman