Why explore science and wonder with children?
Children are natural scientists and natural philosophers. They ask why the sky is dark, whether seeds are alive and how anyone can know what will happen tomorrow. Philosophy helps them think about how science works as well as what it discovers.
The activities move from a wonder box and puzzling cases of life to Karl Popper’s idea of falsifiability, the ethics of new technology and the problem of induction from Hume to Russell’s chicken.
Free activities to download
Ready-to-run EduTrend Contents philosophy enquiry workshops for primary, middle and high school. Each free download includes a step-by-step session plan, facilitator notes, three student worksheets and an assessment checklist. Full 20-week programmes are available in EduStore.
The Wonder Box
Primary · Ages 5–7
Foundation · 30 min
Young children pull wonder questions from a box and enquire into why we wonder and how we find answers.
Is It Alive?
Primary · Ages 8–11
Developing · 45 min
Pupils sort puzzling examples into alive and not alive and enquire into what life is.
What Makes Science Science?
Middle School · Ages 11–13
Intermediate · 50 min
Students compare scientific and non-scientific claims and enquire into what makes science different.
Should We Do Everything Science Can?
Middle School · Ages 12–14
Intermediate · 50 min
Students consider invented cases of new technology and enquire into whether being able to do something means we should.
Will the Sun Rise Tomorrow?
High School · Ages 15–18
Advanced · 60 min
Students examine the problem of induction from Hume to Russell’s chicken and enquire into how science can learn from experience.
Liked the free activities? Go further with a 20-week programme.
Each free activity comes from a full EduTrend Contents programme: a Family Guide or Teacher's Guide with one-page session plans for 20 weeks, plus an Assessment Toolkit with rubrics, trackers and certificates. Choose the one for your child's age or your class below. Instant PDF download after checkout.
P4C-461 · 20 WEEKS · $29
Wonder Questions at Home
Family · Ages 5–11 with a grown-up
Wondering and questioning together at home.
P4C-462 · 20 WEEKS · $39
Science and Wonder Enquiries
Primary · Ages 5–11
Class enquiries on wonder, life and nature.
P4C-463 · 20 WEEKS · $39
Philosophy of Science Lab
Middle school · Ages 11–14
How science works and science ethics.
P4C-464 · 20 WEEKS · $45
Science and Wonder Enquiry Leaders
High school · Ages 14–18
Lead science enquiries for younger children.
Photos: Khamkéo, ONUR KURT, Anna Khromova, Clint Patterson, Greg Rakozy / Unsplash
Science and Wonder
Explore science and wonder with five free printable philosophy activities, from a wonder box and living things to falsifiability, science ethics and the problem of induction. For longer learning, choose a 20-week programme for families, primary, middle or high school.
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Science and Wonder
