The SPACE Approach
The SPACE approach starts where the children are, building on the ideas they already have and helping them to develop their ideas towards more scientific ones. Teachers start by finding out children's ideas and the experiences which led to these (the 'elicitation' phase) and then by further activities and discussion (the 'intervention' phase) help them towards a better understanding of the topic.
The Primary SPACE (Science Processes and Concept Exploration) Project worked closely with teachers to find out about children's understanding. It examined the concept areas covered by the national curriculum. The Project, directed by Professor Wynne Harlen and Professor Paul Black, was based at the Centre for Research in Primary Science and Technology, University of Liverpool, and the Centre for Educational Studies, King's College London.
The Primary SPACE Project research results were used as the foundation for Nuffield Primary Science.

Primary Science SPACE books