Science week 2026
We started our Science Week in spectacular style with an exciting visit from Mad Science. Dr DNA delivered an unforgettable show, bringing science to life as he explored the wonders of gravity and sparked everyone’s curiosity with an electrifying demonstration on electricity. Pupils were captivated from start to finish, eager to learn more about the world around them.
Throughout the week, each year group became young scientists, carrying out their own experiments and investigations. Classrooms were filled with curiosity, thoughtful questions, and moments of discovery as pupils explored a range of scientific ideas in hands-on and engaging ways.
Science Week was a fantastic opportunity to inspire a love of learning, encourage enquiry, and celebrate the creativity and enthusiasm of all our pupils. We are incredibly proud of their inquisitive minds and the excitement they brought to every activity.
You can also continue your scientific exploration at home—why not try some of your own experiments? Here are some great ideas to get started: https://www.childsci.org/home-experiments
We made a rain cloud using shaving foam and food colouring and watched in amazement as the colouring on the milk moved when the washing up liquid touched it.
We tested materials to see which would be best to make a roof for the 3 little pigs houses and had to see if the pigs inside were getting wet. The big bad wolf wrote us letter to tell us he had frozen some farm animals. We had to work out the quickest way to get them out. Thankfully it was a hot sunny day and we used our hot hands to melt the ice. Then we used our strength to hammer the animals out once the ice had started to melt.
Science week has been very popular in Iris class. We have loved observing the reactions of bicarbonate of soda mixed with vinegar, and also the swirling patterns made by food colouring in milk. The opportunities to explore new experiences with all our senses have also been incredibly popular, especially digging in jelly and melting our toys free from ice with pipettes of hot water and salt.
Reception
In Reception, we had a fantastic time investigating and exploring a variety of exciting experiments. We discovered different ways to rescue royal gems trapped inside blocks of ice by smashing them, melting them with warm and cold water, and even adding salt to help the ice melt faster. We also loved the sensory experience of finding and rescuing royal gems hidden inside wobbly jelly!
Later in the week, we explored chemical reactions by creating fizzing and bubbling bottles using bicarbonate of soda and vinegar. In the nature kitchen, we enjoyed discovering the unique properties of “Obleck,” a mixture of cornflour and water, and learned about the differences between liquids and solids.
To finish our week of fun, we explored different materials by designing and making boats and bridges for the Gingerbread Man to help him cross the river safely and avoid the fox! We tested our creations and discovered which materials would sink or float, as well as which were waterproof or absorbent.
Year 1
In Year 1, we began our Science Week with a fascinating investigation into changing the colour of flower petals. The children were in awe as the white petals transformed into vibrant shades of red and blue. While green and yellow were less effective, this certainly didn’t dampen their excitement! The activity sparked lots of thoughtful questions, including: “I wonder which will be the brightest colour?” (Diya), “Will the colour kill the flowers?” (Theo), and “Will the flowers still grow?” (Haven).
On Tuesday, we spent the afternoon designing ways to protect an egg when dropped from a height. To ensure a fair test, all eggs were dropped from the same height. The children showed fantastic creativity in their designs, from adding parachutes to create drag to wrapping eggs in bubble wrap to provide cushioning.
Wednesday saw us carrying out two investigations to explore which objects sink and which float. After initially sorting objects into two groups, the children then challenged themselves to make heavier objects float. Some added small amounts of salt, others added a lot, while some removed the skins from fruits to test the effect. The results were varied and exciting—when large amounts of salt were added, some heavier objects began to float, and when the peel was removed from an orange, it sank. Discoveries were made! As Che observed, “If I swirl my finger around the orange, it starts to lift and I haven’t touched it.” This led to further questioning, such as Christina’s: “Why did the oranges with no skin on float in salted water?”
On Thursday, the children designed their own experiment to find out which biscuit is best for dunking. Some used warm water, others used cold; some counted how many dunks a biscuit could withstand before breaking, while others set a fixed number of dunks. The results were unanimous—oaty biscuits were the best dunkers, while rich tea biscuits were the least successful!
On Friday, the children explored the wonderful world of bubbles in their science experiment. We investigated whether the shape of a bubble wand would affect the shape of the bubble it created. The children were full of curiosity and quickly began asking even more scientific questions, such as whether the size of the bubble wand would affect the size of the bubbles. Using pipe cleaners, the children carefully designed and made their own bubble wands in a variety of shapes and sizes before heading outside into the sunshine to carry out their investigation. The children were fascinated to discover that, despite the different wand shapes, the bubbles still formed into spheres. This sparked lots of excitement, discussion, and thoughtful observations as the children continued exploring and testing their ideas like true scientists.
Throughout the week, the children showed incredible curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm, truly embracing their roles as young scientists.
On Monday, we began the week with an assembly delivered by ‘Mad Science’. The children learnt that the focus of the week is to be curious and ask questions so, we tried to encourage this curiosity throughout the week.
Salt Crystal Experiment
Our first experiment was an observational experiment. We told the children that we would be putting salt in warm water and watching what happened over a few days. We discussed our thoughts;
Day 1 – What do you think will happen?
“I think the salt will dissolve in the water.” – Esmae
“I wonder if it will explode.” – Libby
“I wonder if it will create bubbles.” – Nikodem
Day 2 – Observing - what happened next?
“There are white pieces on the string now.” – Juliette
“I think the salt wants to get to the air above the water
so it can be dry.” – Esmae
“The container is starting to form crystals around the edges.” – Logun
“It looks like ice.” – Alfie
“The salt looks like it is climbing up.” – Maral
“I noticed the bits of salt on the string.” – Leo-John
“I see the salt stuck to the string.” – Ioanna
“Why is the string so salty?” – Bonnie
Day 3 – The final results.
“It has made crystals on the edge of the container!” – Ousman
“Some salt hasn’t dissolved.” – Rex
Volcano Experiment
We told the children we would be using baking soda and vinegar to see if it causes a reaction.
I wonder if…
“It will explode.” – Albie
“The vinegar will go above the bottle top.” – Elwin
“If they mix together.” – Maral
I think...
“Liquid will spray out.” – Bonnie
“It will come up and down like a volcano.” – Finley
Bouncy Egg Experiment
We told the children we would be leaving a raw egg in vinegar and checking on it in 3 days to see what happens.
I predict…
“It will crack.” – Esmai
“The outer shell will dissolve in the vinegar.” – Logun
“It looks fluffy.” – Bonnie
“I wonder why the vinegar is so smelly?” – Hannah
What happened when we added the vinegar?
“Bubbles went around the egg.” –
“It bubbled because of the acid.” - Logun
“The bubbles are teeny tiny and sticking to the egg.” – Maral
“are there so many bubbles?” – Leon
I notice that under the vinegar the egg looks white.” – Albie
Parachute Protect the Egg
The children were told that they would be working in teams to make a parachute to protect an egg while it is dropped.
What materials would be successful?
“Toilet paper because it is light.” – Esmai
“Cloth, string and plastic bags.” – Esmae
What type of parachute would work well?
“If it is big and long so that the air can go through it
and slow it down.” – Logun
What materials wouldn’t work well?
“Paper because it is too thing and the egg would go through it. “– Rex
Ousman – “A plastic folder because it is much heavier than the egg and would pull it down.”
