Activity: Investigating and improving questions

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

Scientific attitudes

• pay attention to objectivity and concern for accuracy, precision, repeatability and reproducibility

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.

Carries out practical activities within a variety of learning environments:

• Includes a control experiment when appropriate in experimental design.
• Manages identified controlled variables to ensure validity of results.

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