This unit examines some key issues in the nature of science as they impact upon the science and religion debate.

It considers why we do science and what we can expect from it, and whether the only real knowledge is scientific knowledge.

It explores the fallibility of scientists and of scientific theories, and encourages pupils to reflect on where our beliefs come from and how reliable they are.

This unit consists of four lessons and is suitable for pupils aged from 9-11 years.

Key Questions

Some of the materials can be viewed on screen and some can be downloaded for editing or printing. To view the pdf files you need Adobe Acrobat Reader, to listen to the AV files you need to have the Quicktime plugin. See the about section for more details.

Unit Resources

Unit Proforma and links to RE and science curricula (Word)

Unit Proforma and links to RE and science curricula (PDF)

Lesson 1

Lesson Plan (Word)

Pupil Resource Sheet 1: What is science all about? (Word)

Pupil Resource Sheet 2: Life’s BIG questions (Word)

Pupil Work Sheet 1: Does only science tell the truth? (Word)

Lesson 2

Lesson Plan (Word)

Pupil Resource Sheet 1: Canals of Mars (Word)

Pupil Resource Sheet 2: Percy’s Folly (Word)

Pupil Resource Sheet 3: Can you decribe a Martian? (Word)

Lesson 3

Lesson Plan (Word)

Pupil Resource Sheet 1: can we rely on evidence? (Word)

Can we rely on Evidence? Audio

Click to listen, if you’d like to download this audio, right click on the link and select “Save link as”

Pupil Resource Sheet 2: You believe it, but can you prove it? (Word)

Pupil Resource Sheet 3: Direct and indirect evidence (Word)

Pupil Resource Sheet 4:  Science uses evidence, does religion? (Word)

Lesson 4

Lesson Plan (Word)

Pupil Resource Sheet 1: Religion tells us how to behave (Word)

Pupil Resource Sheet 2: Order your own cloned kitten (Word)

srsp_7-11_U2_Unit-Assessment-Sheet