Activity: Creating a research proposal

This activity is designed to give students an insight into what it is like to work like real scientists by creating a research proposal.

Key Stage: KS3
Time required: 30 minutes

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About this resource

Resource type: classroom activity
Theme: Working scientifically

Learning outcomes

students ask questions and develop a line of enquiry based on observations of the real world, alongside prior knowledge and experience
students make predictions using scientific knowledge and understanding
students select and plan the most appropriate types of scientific enquiries to test predictions, including identifying independent, dependent and control variables, where appropriate

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
  
  make predictions using scientific knowledge and understanding
  
  select, plan and carry out the most appropriate types of scientific enquiries to test predictions, including identifying independent, dependent and control variables, where appropriate
  
  Scientific attitudes
  
  pay attention to objectivity and concern for accuracy, precision, repeatability and reproducibility
- 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.
  
  Designs procedures to test a hypothesis and identifies the independent, dependent and controlled variables, with limited assistance.
  
  Anticipates most risks and hazards.
  
  Demonstrates increased levels of collaboration and initiative in decision-making about samples, measurements, equipment and procedures to use.
- Northern Ireland
  
  Curriculum Subject Links
  
  Overarching themes of Science, Technology and Design.
  
  Curriculum Skill Links
  
  Thinking, Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
  
  Planning for investigations, obtaining evidence, presenting and interpreting results
  
  Develop creative and critical thinking in their approach to solving scientific problems
  
  Show deeper scientific understanding by thinking critically and flexibly, solving problems and making informed decisions, using Mathematics and ICT where appropriate
  
  Demonstrate self-management by working systematically, persisting with tasks, evaluating and improving own performance