HOW TO USE THE SITE

What do all the
symbols mean?

Most of the content on the site is free to use, but some require a subsciption or payment which we clearly mark.

MOBILE
FRIENDLY
RESOURCE

PARENTS AND TEACHERS

How do we select
the resources?

We created Wow Science to help children discover and enjoy
learning. The resources are carefully selected and tested to
make sure your child can enjoy the best science resources
available on the website.

We work with the Primary Science Teaching Trust to ensure
that the content is accurate and useful to learning.

Are they safe?

All the links to resources on the site have been tested to make
sure your child can enjoy learning safely.

Wow Science is not responsible for the other content on external
Internet sites.

Can I submit a resource?

Of course!

If you would like us to consider a resource for the site, please
contact us by emailing primaryscience@learnsci.co.uk

Ask a Biologist

On this website you can find the answers to loads of science questions, asked by children like you and answered by real scientists. You might need to get your parents or teacher to explain answers.

Skill Level:

Key terminology

Mammals, birds, reptiles, dinosaurs, amphibians, fish, invertebrates, insects, plants, fungi, microorganisms, viruses, bacteria, fossils, genes, genetics, DNA, evolution, ecology, biodiversity, biology, research, careers

 

Common misconceptions

  • Children often think that scientists have all the answers
  • Some children using the website have expected the scientists to write them an answer but the aim of the scientists is to guide children to a place where they can find the answer for themselves, e.g. the scientists will recommend a website.

 

Screen – Scientific explanations

Scientists provide written answers to children’s questions.  Their explanations may include some scientific language but it is appropriate to Upper Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3.  Sometimes the scientist does not offer an explanation, but suggests a website that will lead the child to discover the answer for themselves.

 

Screen – what it does/how to use it

The screen has four options across the top:

  • Ask a Question – Children can fill in an online form to ask a question about any biology topic
  • Browse Questions & Answers – Here you can browse through the thousands of questions asked by children and answered by experts. There are two ways to do this: they are sorted by category, so select an area of biology you’re interested in and start browsing; or just use the search box on the right.
  • Meet the Expert – Here you can scroll down a list of experts.  By selecting an expert, you can find out about their area of research, or scroll through the questions that the expert has already answered.
  • From the Lab – Here you can view a list of articles about biology and careers in biology.

 

Teacher interventions

Teachers could send children to this website when a child asks a question that can’t be answered at school.

The Browse Questions & Answers section would be a useful tool when children are researching a topic in biology or careers in science.

 

Related lesson plans / class activities

  • To illicit information at the start of a topic, ask children to spend 10-15 min browsing through Questions & Answers to find the most interesting question.  Ask them to explain why this is the most interesting question.
  • To support a research activity, ask the children to scroll through the Questions & Answers screen and to draw a mind map on a given topic.

 

Links to related resources

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science_and_environment

Provides access to recent science news stories with excellent pictures – suitable for older KS2 children

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/animals

Provides access to recent science news stories and pictures for younger readers

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