Be a scientist at home and find specimens where you live. Use your scientific skills, make observations, ask questions and look for evidence.
Getting started
Select a specimen
A specimen is an object from nature that we can learn from. It could be anything from a leaf collected on a walk to the spider hanging around the bathroom. Choose something that interests you, but be careful not to disturb any living animals. Be patient and watch quietly from a distance.
Make observations
Look closely and try to see something you haven't noticed before. Use the investigation toolkit if you are stuck.
Investigation toolkit
This activity is more about using scientific skills than learning facts. Here are some questions that might be useful:
- Why did you choose this specimen?
- How does it look and feel?
- What patterns, colours, and textures do you notice?
- Have you seen anything like this before?
- What questions do you have about your specimen?
- Can you see any clues that might help you to answer your question?
- Does your sibling, parent, guardian or friend agree with your idea to answer your question? What do they think the idea might be?
Record your observations
Draw what you can see, and describe, it using as many adjectives as you can. Try to be precise by taking measurements - how much does it weigh, how long is it? You can record it on an investigate recording sheet (PDF) which can be printed at home.
Take your investigation further
- Ask questions. What would you like to know about your specimen?
- Suggest answers. Are there any clues on your specimen that might help you?
You don't have to know anything about your specimen. Investigations are about looking closely, asking questions and searching for clues.
Let's begin!
Download your investigate recording sheet. If you don't have a printer - no problem, you can copy it on a piece of paper.
You could also make a journal to record your investigation in. Use our How to make a nature journal video for tips.
Curriculum links and guidance for parents and teachers
Curriculum links
This activity focuses on the 'working scientifically' aspects of the curriculum and promotes understanding of 'what science is'.
A good starting place for all abilities is to focus on making observations and recording these in a way that suits the learner (drawing, writing or telling someone else about them).
Learners, parents and teachers can increase the complexity of the task by asking questions about the specimen, coming up with ideas for answers to their question, and looking for evidence to back them up.
Key Stage 1 and 2 aims
Develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer specific questions about the world around them.
Key Stage 1
- asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways
- observing closely
- using simple equipment
- identifying and classifyingusing their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
- gathering and recording data to help in answering questions
Key Stage 2 (lower)
- asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them
- making systematic and careful observations and, where appropriate, taking accurate measurements using standard units, using a range of equipment
- gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions
- reporting on findings from enquiries, including oral and written explanations, displays or presentations of results and conclusions
- using straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings
Key Stage 2 (upper)
- taking measurements, using a range of scientific equipment, with increasing accuracy and precision, taking repeat readings when appropriate
- reporting and presenting findings from enquiries, including conclusions, causal relationships and explanations of and degree of trust in results, in oral and written forms such as displays and other presentations
Share your investigations
Share your discoveries with us on Twitter @NHM_Learn and using #NHMAtHome. Look out for Museum scientists sharing their own findings.
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