There is a growing body of evidence that a sound scientific knowledge base is
important for teachers of primary science. International studies can indicate features
,which are common around the world and those which may be distinctive because of
differences in curricula, teachers' education or socio-cultural factors. This paper
reports on a comparative study of aspects of the science knowledge of primary student
teachers carried out in Singapore and England. Student teachers' subject
understanding was tested for three areas of science. Their teaching ability was
assessed in terms of ideas on lesson planning, responding to pupils' questions and the
use of analogies to explain concepts. Similar levels of knowledge and ability were
found in both groups. Although a science qualification helped with some test items, in
general, in neither group was any clear connection found between science knowledge
and the ability to teach that knowledge.