Build science vocabulary and spark inquiry with our National Science Week: Vocabulary Word Search Worksheets! This engaging set of word search activities is designed to help students explore and understand important terms related to space, physics, chemistry, and scientific discovery. These worksheets are perfect for reinforcing key vocabulary before a writing task, science experiment, or inquiry-based lesson during National Science Week.

Each worksheet features a selection of themed words for students to find in a word grid. Words may appear horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, encouraging students to use problem-solving and visual scanning skills. Once all the words have been found, students can take their learning a step further by researching and recording the meanings of each term in the space provided. This supports the development of both literacy and science understanding in a meaningful, cross-curricular way.

Whether used as a warm-up, early finisher task, or part of a science-themed literacy rotation, these worksheets provide a flexible and engaging way to introduce or reinforce science vocabulary aligned with the 2025 National Science Week theme - Decoding the Universe.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Recognise and locate key science-related vocabulary
• ✅ Strengthen word recognition and visual scanning skills
• ✅ Develop understanding of scientific terms and their meanings
• ✅ Build foundational vocabulary for inquiry-based learning and writing tasks
• ✅ Make connections between science concepts and real-world applications

What’s Included:

• A set of printable word search worksheets featuring themed vocabulary
• Word banks covering space, physics, chemistry, tools and scientific discovery
• Blank table space for students to record and define each word

Materials Needed:

• Printed word search worksheet (1 per student)
• Pencils, highlighters or coloured pencils
• Optional: access to dictionaries or science displays for vocabulary support
• Write and wipe sleeves for reuse (optional)

How to Use:

1. Hand out a word search worksheet to each student or pair.
2. Review the word bank and discuss any unfamiliar terms as a class.
3. Students locate and highlight each word within the puzzle grid.
4. After completing the search, students research and write a student-friendly definition for each word.
5. Encourage students to share new words or interesting facts with the class.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use as a vocabulary introduction prior to starting a science inquiry
• 💡 Set as an independent task for early finishers
• 💡 Add to a literacy rotation focused on science-themed reading and writing
• 💡 Create a class science word wall using words and definitions from the worksheets
• 💡 Incorporate words into a collaborative class glossary for National Science Week

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Use write and wipe sleeves to make worksheets reusable across groups
• 💛 Assign each student one vocabulary word to research and present to the class
• 💛 Encourage students to group related words together to deepen conceptual understanding
• 💛 Combine word search work with a creative extension like writing a short science-themed story using selected vocabulary

Our Vocabulary Word Search Worksheets are a flexible and engaging way to develop scientific language and understanding during National Science Week. They support student curiosity, strengthen foundational literacy, and help build the vocabulary students need to explore the world - and universe - around them.

Be sure to check out our other National Science Week resources!