Children’s perceptions of school science

A survey of over a thousand 8–11 year-old children in primary schools indicated that children in the more senior classes showed a marked decline in their enjoyment of school science. Older children found certain science topics – such as parts of the flower and evaporation – difficult, chiefly because of the complex terminology involved. There were clear differences between boys and girls: girls generally held more positive attitudes towards school science. The authors consider these results in relation to the content and teaching of primary science. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the well-documented erosion in children’s interest in school science at secondary level has already started in the final years of primary school. We analysed approximately one thousand questionnaires in which children recorded the science topics they liked, their attitudes to science and their favourite subject. In addition, we gathered evidence from oral discussions about science between children and their class teachers. This article summarises our findings and their implications for the teaching of school science at primary level.