About this resource
- Resource type: outdoor/classroom activity
- Theme: Tools for outdoor enquiry
Activity: Question generation
This resource details a range of methods for students to generate questions based on observations and their prior knowledge.
The aim is that they can ask lots of questions without the expectation that they can all be answered.
Key Stage: KS3
- Time required: 5-20 minutes per activity
Curriculum links
England
Working Scientifically Skills
Experimental skills and investigations
- ask questions and develop a line of enquiry based on observations of the real world, alongside prior knowledge and experience
Analysis and evaluation
- identify further questions arising from their results
Scotland
Third Level Scientific Skills
Inquiry and Investigative Skills:
Plans and designs scientific investigations and enquiries:
- Demonstrates initiative and increasing independence in identifying a number of key questions and in formulating aims, predictions and hypotheses based on information, observations and knowledge.
Presents scientific findings:
- Communicates effectively in a range of ways, for example, orally and through scientific report writing.
Northern Ireland
Curriculum Subject Links
- Overarching themes of Science, Technology and Design.
Curriculum Skill Links
- Listen to and take part in discussions, explanations, role-plays and presentations
- Contribute comments, ask questions and respond to others’ points of view
- Communicate information, ideas, opinions, feelings and imaginings, using an expanding vocabulary
- Planning for investigations, obtaining evidence, presenting and interpreting results
- Use investigative skills to explore scientific issues, solve problems and make informed decisions
- Show deeper scientific understanding by thinking critically and flexibly, solving problems and making informed decisions, using Mathematics and ICT where appropriate
- Work effectively with others
Materials required
- outdoor spaces to explore
- optional: blank cards for 'question ingredients'
Useful articles
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Biodiversity is connected to almost every aspect of our lives, but it needs our help. Small actions can make a big difference.