Science education provides a way of making sense of the world, of 'responding to those 'why?' questions that children have in a meaningful way' (Howe et al, 2005, p.6). In an increasingly technological world the need has never been greater to provide not only scientists of the future but a nation of people who are 'science literate' (Howe et al, 2005, p5). This term encompasses not only factual knowledge (SC2, 3 & 4 in National Curriculum) but also scientific enquiry, or, the skills with which to investigate in a scientific manner (SC1 in NC). …
