From playing to investigating: research in an Interactive Science Centre for primary pupils

Observations of primary pupils in a small Interactive Science Centre are analysed using a new model of play, practice and problem solving derived from a range of literature. It is shown from pupils’ activities, comments and reflections some time later that the transition from the characteristics of play is quite sharp and depends on the reduction of instruction density. Observations of slower learners at the Centre helps to identify two, possibly successive, features of this creative phase in the activities.