Help your pupils see the magic in science

Explore the topic of Light through the story of Peter Pan.

We’re excited to introduce the first of our new Science in stories resources to help you explore curriculum-linked Science topics through popular children’s stories. 

Science in stories: Peter Pan helps pupils aged 6 to 9 to investigate the topic of Light through the story of Peter Pan. 

Each PowerPoint presentation focuses on a different part of the story and they can be used individually or together: 

• How shadows are formed tells the first part of the Peter Pan story. Pupils undertake a fair test to find the best material for a new shadow for Peter then write to him explaining how to make one. Clear diagrams show how opaque and translucent objects make shadows, and why transparent objects don’t make them at all.
   
• Why shadows change size and shape picks up the story when the children arrive in Neverland. The crocodile has eaten the clock, so pupils are asked to make their own sundial to help the characters tell the time. Again, clear diagrams show why shadows change size and shape.
   
• Shadow theatre tells the final part of the story. Pupils use their scientific learning about shadows to make an amazing shadow puppet show using opaque, translucent and transparent materials. They can use their knowledge of shadows to make Tinker Bell small and dainty and Crocodile big and scary! A short script and simple templates are provided.  

All bp educational service resources are free to access and have been tested with teachers.

One of our reviewers, Helen Spear from Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School in Dartford said:

“I would definitely use this with Year 3. It fits in well with the learning outcomes for their topic on Light and introduces and reinforces the concepts of shadows. I like the fact that it gives the children opportunities to explore how different materials make different types of shadow (i.e. thinking about translucent materials make shadows that are less dark). Suggested resources are good and fairly easy to resource in a classroom too.”

Since helping us to develop the resources, Helen has tried them out with her class, and sent us a pictures of their fantastic puppet show:

We hope that you enjoy using the resources as much as we enjoyed creating them!