Gather and interpret data resources

Task: read an article about releasing hand-reared kaka into a safe environment and answer questions about the research. Assessment focus: field investigations.

Students are asked to explain why the Southern Cross appears not to be in the same place in the night sky that it was a few months previously.

Task: Students match parts of statements about how Joan Wiffen worked like a scientist, and identify what skills or experiences helped her find fossils. Assessment focus: interpreting information about how scientists work.

For this task students select two kinds of activity from those labelled on a diagram of an erupting volcano. Students write a description and the problems or dangers associated with each activity.

This practical task requires students to make observations of three different types of soils and record their observations in a chart.

For this practical task students investigate and report on what they noticed about a model river and how different sized materials are moved by the water.

Task: Identify the variables for testing how fresh water and salt water affect rusting. Assessment focus: planning a fair test.

For this practical students make observations about dissolving, and plan and carry out an investigation to find out what makes sugar dissolve more quickly.

Students look at two diagrams. The first shows iron nails in test tubes with boiled water or tap water, the second shows iron nails with moisture either present or absent. Students answer five questions about these investigations.

From a diagram of an experimental set up, students answer questions based on fair testing principles. Questions cover the control of variables, and measurement of results.

This practical task investigates the effect of temperature on the rate at which corn pops. Students collect data and make a conclusion.

Describe methods for speeding up and slowing down melting of an ice cube using one of three provided objects, and explain why the methods would work. Assessment focus: planning an investigation.

This practical task requires students to describe to a partner their observations about an ice cube melting. Students then develop questions about what they observe.

This practical task requires students to make observations of the changes that occur in five common foods as they are cooked.

This practical task assesses students' ability to record and graph data, and draw conclusions, as they conduct an experiment on the rate at which an ice cube melts in different temperatures.

For this practical task students complete a table of observations for the following substances: vinegar, baking soda, and vinegar and baking soda mixed together.

For this practical task students follow a plan to determine the effects of a weak acid on different building materials. Students need to put their results into a table and write a conclusion.

For this practical task students follow a plan to determine the best temperature for the reaction of rennet with milk. Students need to make observations and write a report on their findings.

Plan an investigation to find out which of two students' predictions is correct, and identify how to recognise what a result would look like. Assessment focus: identifying what to measure or compare to answer a science question.

Students explain two ways to make salt dissolve faster when in cold water.

For this practical task students record their observations as an egg is poached in water.

Task: Identify which variables should be kept the same to compare reaction times. Assessment focus: control of variables.

Select the correct pair to set up a fair test. Assessment focus: controlling variables.

Students decide on the variables that will make an experiment about boiling water a fair test. Assessment focus: Recognising multiple variables.

This practical task requires students to use methods of separation to separate a mixture of salt, sand, and iron filings. Students explain how they did this and the property of the substance that they used.