Government Launch Primary School Science Resource

Thursday 21st January 2010

Vernon Coaker, Schools Minister, has launched an innovative new science resource for children starting secondary school.  SciMorph, a 3D animated computer character who responds to interaction from users, will be available to every child at home and in the classroom.

Developed in consultation with the Science Learning Centres, SciMorph reflects core components of the Key Stage 2 science curriculum, including:

• The Gravity Zone. Children can learn about the effects of gravity on different planets.
• The Sound Zone. Children can see the effects and movement of sound waves.
• The Bug Zone. Children can learn about the spread and effects of germs and infections

The free online teaching resource also contains supporting materials for parents and teachers to help them guide children around the site and support their learning.

This comes at the same time as the launch of the Government’s Home Access programme, giving 270,000 of the poorest families a free laptop and broadband access.

Encouraging children to take up science GCSEs is also one of the parts of the new pupil and parents guarantees. Schools must ensure that every pupil is encouraged to study at least two science GCSEs and that pupils who would benefit from a more stretching science curriculum have the opportunity to study triple science (physics, chemistry and biology) by September 2014.