lets investigate

LET’S

INVESTIGATE

What’s it all

about?

Making predictions

Testing predictions

Making decisions

Collecting evidence

Selecting equipment

Being aware of risks

Interpreting data

Recording results

Communicating results

Learning and developing skills

You must begin with a question, which can be scientifically investigated!

In order for you to do all of those things…

Asking questions

Does exercise make your heart beat

faster?

Do plants need water to grow?

All investigations start with a question!

What question could these children be investigating?

What are they predicting will happen?

? ? ? ? ?

What’s on their minds?

An interesting set up.But what’s it all about?

What are these two finely dressed children investigating?

What is their prediction?

What could these children be raising question about?

Careful planning needed for this one, but what question could they be trying

to answer?

Can you shed any light on this one?

Finally, what’s this all about?

Attainment targets : Scientific enquiry There are five aspects of attainment in this attainment target:

1. Ideas and evidence2. Planning3. Carrying out4. Interpreting and evaluating5. Recording and presenting data Level 1 I can describe or respond appropriately to simple features

of objects, living things and events I observe, communicating my findings in simple ways for example, talking about my work, through drawings, simple charts.

Level 2

• I can respond to suggestions about how to find things out and, with help, make my own suggestions about how to collect data to answer questions.

• I can use simple texts, with help, to find information. • I can use simple equipment provided and make observations

related to my task.• I can observe and compare objects, living things and events. • I can describe my observations using scientific vocabulary and

record them, using simple tables when appropriate.• I can say whether what happened was what I expected. 

Level 3

• I respond to suggestions and put forward my own ideas about how to find the answer to a question.

• I can recognise why it is important to collect data to answer questions.

• I can use simple texts to find information. • I can make relevant observations and measure quantities, such

as length or mass, using a range of simple equipment. • Where appropriate, I can carry out a fair test with some help,

recognising and explaining why it is fair. • I can record my observations in a variety of ways. • I can provide explanations for observations and for simple

patterns in recorded measurements. • I can communicate in a scientific way what I have found out

and suggest improvements in my work

Level 4

• I can recognise that scientific ideas are based on evidence. • In my own investigative work, I can decide on an appropriate approach for

example, using a fair test to answer a question. • Where appropriate, I can describe, or show the way I perform my task,

how to vary one factor while keeping others the same. • Where appropriate, I can make predictions. • I can select information from sources provided for me. • I can select suitable equipment and make a series of observations and

measurements that are adequate for the task. • I can record my observations, comparisons and measurements using

tables and bar charts. I am beginning to plot points to form simple graphs, and use these graphs to point out and interpret patterns in their data.

• I am beginning to relate my conclusions to these patterns and to scientific knowledge and understanding, and to communicate them with appropriate scientific language.

• I can suggest improvements in their work, giving reasons. 

Level 5

• I can describe how experimental evidence and creative thinking have been combined to provide a scientific explanation.

• When I try to answer a scientific question, I can identify an appropriate approach. • I can select from a range of sources of information. • When the investigation involves a fair test, I can identify key factors to be

considered. • Where appropriate, I can make predictions based on my scientific knowledge and

understanding. • I can select apparatus for a range of tasks and plan to use it effectively. • I can make a series of observations, comparisons or measurements with precision

appropriate to the task. • I am beginning to repeat observations and measurements and to offer simple

explanations for any differences I encounter. • I can record observations and measurements systematically and, where

appropriate, present data as line graphs. • I can draw conclusions that are consistent with the evidence and begin to relate

these to scientific knowledge and understanding.• I can make practical suggestions about how my working methods could be

improved. • I can use appropriate scientific language and conventions to communicate

quantitative and qualitative data.