Science & History Hero

Science & History

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Animals, Evolution & Inheritance, Properties & Uses of Materials

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Cross-curricular

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9-12

A series of cross-curricular resources linking science, history and citizenship

Historical methodology complements science enquiry skills: both disciplines require the questioning of evidence, the development of arguments and nurture critical thinking and reasoning. Through history, pupils are introduced to social and ethical issues relevant to science which increases the opportunity for creative, independent enquiry.

These resources were created by the Centre for Science Education at Sheffield Hallam University in 2009 and are suitable for children aged 9-12 years.

Cross-curricular history topics

Which science and history topics have been linked?

Science links have been made to the following history topics commonly taught in primary schools:

The Egyptians / Body parts – Time Raiders: the death of the mummy

Children evaluate evidence from a recently discovered mummy to work out how it lived, how it died and learn about the function of it’s preserved organs.

 

World War II / Properties of Materials – Vanished: a blitz mystery

Children compare the properties of different liquids to solve a mystery.

 

Charles Darwin / Natural selection – Testing the Theory

Children learn about Charles Darwin, his work on the Theory of Evolution by natural selection, and consider how changes to the environment over time might affect what humans look like in the future.

 

The Romans / Food groups – Food Miles Past: food miles present

Children investigate and compare food miles in the Roman period and the present and consider the impact of transporting food on the environment.

 

The Romans / Balanced diet – The Roman Banquet: food groups

Children learn about the nutritional benefits of different food groups, learn about the kinds of food eaten in Roman period and plan a diet for a Roman senator, soldier, laundry boy and a child.

 

Greek Mythology & Nineteenth century / Structure and function of bones – Any Old Evidence: bones and skeletons

Children learn how scientific knowledge of bones has changed over time. They use evidence from different historical periods to predict what animals looked like.

Resources

Animal skeletons

Animals

Any Old Evidence: Bones & Skeletons

Cross-curricular | 9-12

Roman banquet

Animals

The Roman Banquet: Food Groups

Cross-curricular | 9-12

Food transportation

Animals

Food Miles Past: Food Miles Present

Cross-curricular | 9-12

The blitz

Properties & Uses of Materials

Vanished: a Blitz Mystery

Cross-curricular | 9-12

Testing a theory

Evolution & Inheritance

Testing the Theory

Cross-curricular | 9-12

Time raiders mummy

Animals

Time Raiders: The Death of a Mummy

Cross-curricular | 9-12

Safety Notice & Disclaimer

PSTT advises teachers to refer to either the CLEAPSS website or SSERC website for up to date health and safety information when planning practical activities for children.

PSTT is not liable for the actions or activities of any reader or anyone else who uses the information in these resource pages or the associated classroom materials. PSTT assumes no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information contained in these resources. PSTT recommends that a full risk assessment is carried out before undertaking in the classroom any of the practical investigations contained in the resources.

All materials are ©Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT) and are freely available to download and share for educational purposes. Whilst educators are free to adapt the resources to suit their own needs, acknowledgement of copyright on all original materials must be included. Rights to images included in the resource have been purchased for PSTT use only – as such, these images may only be used as part of this resource and may not copied into or used in other materials.