Add ice-lolly licking to England primary school curriculum, urge scientists

[Still Waters]

Licking an ice lolly should be an essential part of the national curriculum for primary schoolchildren in England, according to scientists at the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Whether it’s an old-fashioned Fab, a Twister or a Calippo, not only does it taste nice, it teaches children vital scientific concepts such as heating, cooling and how temperature works, scientists say.

Primary school pupils should also have the opportunity to knead bread dough, dig in the soil, plant vegetables and play with shadows as part of their early science education, according to the new recommendations.

https://www.theguardian.com/education/article/2024/aug/20/add-ice-lolly-licking-to-england-primary-school-curriculum-urge-scientists

[Still Waters]

Licking an ice lolly at school might make a good memory – but this isn’t the secret to learning science

A group of scientists, including people from the Royal Society of Chemistry, recently proposed that experiences such as licking an ice lolly should be part of the science curriculum. By licking a lolly and seeing how it melts – the idea goes – children would better learn about melting, and therefore about chemistry and physics.

But does licking a lolly, or experiences such as kneading dough, playing with shadows or digging in soil, actually help pupils to learn science? Deploying examples and demonstrations in the classroom can be a helpful gateway towards deeper understanding, but it’s not a shortcut to knowledge.

https://theconversation.com/licking-an-ice-lolly-at-school-might-make-a-good-memory-but-this-isnt-the-secret-to-learning-science-237806