Back in 2023, Heatherton Girls’ School, part of the historic Berkhamsted School Group, began using Kide Science. They wanted to bring our playful, research-based STEM education to their early years classrooms.
But what initially started as a trial of a few lessons soon blossomed into a meaningful research project. This project, which also involved the University of Helsinki, focused on exploring how our story-driven, inquiry-based lessons could enhance young children’s science process skills, particularly the skills of observation and classification.
The project was not only a research success, but it also became a shining example of how a school can effectively transform its curriculum by utilizing Kide Science's flexibility.
Kide Science's impact was both measurable and meaningful. Teachers tracked student progress using observation grids and weekly diaries, revealing significant development in science skills across all learners. Even students who initially struggled showed steady improvement.
Beyond the skills development, the lessons sparked emotional engagement, collaboration, and a genuine excitement for science. Children began using scientific vocabulary like “classify” and “investigate,” and many began to see themselves as actual scientists —an outcome that speaks volumes about the power of playful learning.
What's more, the positive impact of Kide Science wasn't exclusive to the children. With our lessons and resources, teachers reported a growth in their confidence to teach STEAM in these playful, child-led ways. You can read more about this in our Teacher Confidence White Paper.
What truly sets Heatherton apart is how creatively and effectively they have adapted Kide’s materials. For example, teachers introduced a “Curiosity Cube” where letters from the fictional world of Supraland arrived weekly, captivating students’ imaginations.
They have even used an old phone to “call” Supraland, encouraging children to share their discoveries with the story’s robot character, Hoseli. These imaginative touches made science lessons feel like immersive adventures, helping even the quieter students find their voice.
Heatherton’s innovation extended across the curriculum, bringing Kide Science themes into their mathematics, literacy, and art. They even created additional enhancement areas, where children could continue exploring lesson topics independently.
This reinforces the learning through play pedagogy. Kide’s flexible resources empowered teachers to lead with creativity and confidence, transforming their classrooms into hubs of discovery.
This case study is a powerful example of how thoughtful implementation of playful science education can transform both teaching and learning. To dive deeper into the research and see more examples from the classroom, read the full case study here.
Kide Science is the leading provider of early childhood STEM education, offering immersive and interactive learning experiences designed specifically to engage children under 8. Register for a free trial here.
Heatherton Girls’ School is an independent prep school in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, known for its nurturing environment, innovative teaching, and commitment to inspiring a lifelong love of learning in girls aged 4 to 11. https://www.berkhamsted.com/heatherton/