TALK LIKE A SCIENTIST

Students need to learn the language of science which can be very challenging for primary students. It helps if they can break down science words into their derivatives, to recognise and understand why scientists use such specific language. Talk like a Scientist is a way of incorporating a bit more SHE into your teaching!

In this issue, we will look at some light words you may come across in the primary curriculum.

phOTO is a Greek word for ‘light’.

There are many science terms which use photo as a prefix, denoting a strong connection to or use of light energy. Here are just a few. Maybe your students can add to this list in your classroom – there are so many photo- words!

photosynthesis synthesis (Greek and Latin) = put together/combine photograph graph (Greek and Latin) = to draw phototroph troph (Greek) = nourishment photoelectric elektron (Greek) = amber (when amber was rubbed, it developed an electrical charge which enabled it to pick up feathers and other items)

Photosynthesis is when plants (and some other organisms) use light energy from the sun to combine water and carbon dioxide to make carbohydrates, while releasing oxygen as a by-product. This word was first used in Germany in the late 1800s. Without this process we would not exist.

A photograph is like drawing with light. This term was first used in the 1830s by Sir John Herschel.

An organism (mainly plants) that uses light as a source of energy for metabolism.

Metabolism is the set of chemical processes which keep an organism alive.

This term was introduced in the late 1800s. Electrons can be released from metals when light is shone on them. When the electrons move, electricity is produced. Solar panels use this effect to make electricity.

More photo words – photocopy, photon, photovoltaic, phototoxic, photochromic, photoscope.