Primary Science

Alan Peacock is Honorary University Fellow at the Graduate School of Education, University of Exeter, and until recently was Editor of Primary Science journal for six years. He has worked in teaching, training and research in science education for over 40 years, in various regions of the UK and overseas.  He has carried out primary science consultancy work for the British Council, UNESCO, the EU, The National Trust, various environmental groups and numerous NGOs in Africa, including in Kenya, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Senegal and Mozambique. His publications include Science Skills: A Problem-Solving Activities Book (Taylor & Francis); Science in Primary Schools: The Multicultural Dimension (Routledge); Opportunities for Science in the Primary School (Trentham); Teaching Primary Science (Macmillan Education) and Eco-literacy for Primary Schools (Trentham).  He has also written and edited the Sayansi (Science) series of pupils’ science texts for Tanzanian schools, and recently chaired the UNESCO working group on ‘Guidelines for enhancing quality education through textbooks’.

What a helpful book. It covers the current issues in primary science education, providing an overview and dealing with the detail, identifying the areas that teachers and student teachers find most challenging and offering valuable guidance. It is challenging and reassuring, thought-provoking and enjoyable. I can’t recommend it too highly.

• The Current Context of Primary Science Teaching - Alan Peacock and Mick DunneWhy is Science Hard to Teach? - Alan Peacock and Mick DunneDoing Science - Mick Dunne and Rania MakladPlay-based Science - Eleanor HoskinsLinking Science to the Wider Curriculum - Richard WatkinsScience and Computing - Malcolm Smith, Liz Flintoft and Robert CollinsScience and Mathematics Connections - Dave Howard, Ashlee Perry and Jill ToddLearning Science Beyond the Classroom - Leigh HoathLearning Science Through Talk - Sarah Earle and Natasha SerretTricky Topics and How to Teach Them - Mick Dunne and Dave HowardPlanning for Assessment for Learning - Tara Lievesley, Mick Dunne and Sarah EarleTransitions in Science Education - Leigh Hoath and Tanya ShieldsEffective Inclusive Practice in Primary Science - Dave Howard and Ashlee PerryA Way Forward - Alan Peacock and Mick Dunne