Cool kids: ice lollies should be part of school curriculum, scientists suggest

Licking an ice lolly should be an essential part of the national curriculum for primary schoolchildren in England, according to science grandees at the Royal Society of Chemistry.

- Sally Weale

Whether it's an old-fashioned Fab, a Twister or a Calippo, not only does it taste nice, it teaches children vital scientific concepts such as heating and cooling and how temperature works, scientists said.

Primary school pupils should also have the opportunity to knead dough, dig in soil, plant vegetables and play with shadows as part of their early science education, according to the recommendations.

These "essential experiences" are among a number of proposals for changes to the science curriculum for children aged three to 11 that have been put forward by leading professional science organisations.

The Royal Society of Chemistry, Institute of Physics, Royal Society of Biology and Association for Science Education said the reforms would help reduce inequalities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) education, as well as teach fundamental scientific concepts every child should understand.

The recommendations come after the launch last month of the government's curriculum and assessment review, when the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said: "The launch of this review is an important step in this government's mission to break down barriers to opportunity, deliver better life chances and enable more young people to get on."