About this resource
- Resource type: classroom activity
- Theme: Working scientifically
Activity: What is your strongest science question?
In this activity, students come up with lots of questions and evaluate them using the Scientific Question Criteria to decide which questions are the most practical to investigate.
Students follow the scientific process by asking questions based on close observations, then evaluate the questions against set criteria. They go on to develop hypotheses and plan the most appropriate types of scientific enquiries to test these.
- Key Stage: KS3
- Time required: 30 minutes
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.
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
- envelopes
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