Over the past 30 years, children's perception of the physical sciences has changed quite dramatically. Thanks largely to the advent of personal computers and the rise of the hacker as hero, whizz-kid scientists in big glasses have made the transition from pitiable wimps to objects of admiration. If he'd originated in the 21st century, Brains from 'Thunderbirds' would probably have been the main character, instead of just the comic sidekick to the action men.
But if the non-life sciences have become cool, their mind-bogglingly complex achievements have, at the same time, made them seem particularly daunting to teach, especially for those working at primary school level. Most of us could have a stab at explaining how the steam engine works; few of us would like to try doing the same for the computer.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here