How scientists investigate
A wall poster of the six steps of an investigation, a planning sheet that walks a class through them for a real question, and a variables sorter.
- Free sample
- 6 pages
- about 40 minutes
- You need: the poster on the wall, a3 if you can, sheet a per pair
- Teacher
- Page 2
- Page 3
- 4Page 4
- 5Page 5
- 6Answers
Pages 4 to 6 open when you can download. These are pictures of the real PDF. What you see is what prints.
Why use this
Students think an experiment is a demonstration with a surprise at the end. Naming the steps, and predicting before testing, turns it into an investigation with a claim to defend.
The word variable is the sticking point. Sheet B asks it in plain words: what will you change, what will you measure, what must stay the same.
How to run it
- 1.Read the poster together. Ask which step the class usually skips. It is the prediction.8 min
- 2.Model Sheet A with the sample question. Fill each box on the board with the class.12 min
- 3.Pairs plan their own investigation on Sheet A, then sort the variables on Sheet B.15 min
- 4.Make your own: write a question for another pair. Is it testable? Fix it together.5 min
Curriculum link
Australian Curriculum v9.0 © ACARA. Licensed CC BY 4.0. The full attribution is printed in the PDF.
Play it online at antnest.au
Thea and Faye's games on antnest.au practise the same curriculum codes. Print the sheet for the lesson, then set the game for practice at school or at home. Each opens in a new tab.