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Task: Plan a fair test to see which of two solar showers of different colours heats up more. Assessment focus: controlling variables.

For this practical students make observations on water flow from three holes set at different heights in a container. They also investigate the effect on water flow if the top is on or off the container.

Students first do the science activity Throwing balloons 3 or Throwing balloons 4 where they predict, observe, and explain what will happen when a balloon containing another balloon filled with water is thrown. Then the students do this resource's writing task where they describe the balloon and what happens when it is thrown, and explain why they think it moved the way it did. Six annotated exemplars of student scripts (writing) are included under the "Working with Students" tab.

Students answer five questions interpreting data on temperature decrease in three different types of cups.

For this practical task students investigate the magnetic fields that exist around a horseshoe magnet. Students then use two bar magnets to investigate what happens when similar and unlike poles are facing each other.

This practical task requires students to follow an experimental design that investigates various forms of insulation. They are required to gather results, make a conclusion, and identify the variables.

Task: Answer two questions about setting up a fair test and another about insulating houses. Assessment focus: controlling variables.

Task: Use displacement to measure volume. Assessment focus: displacement.

This practical task requires students to use a plastic comb and wool to generate static electricity. Students investigate different materials to find those that are attracted to the static charge.

Task: Make a sound gun and use it to investigate what happens to a candle when the end of the sound gun is tapped. Assessment focus: sound waves.

Students carry out and make observations about water in a straw, and suction. Students are then required to explain their observations.

Students describe the images seen in flat and convex mirrors.

Explain what affects the distance travelled by toy cars, and why they eventually stop. Assessment focus: science explanations using ideas about forces and energy.

Task: Predict, observe and explain what will happen when a balloon containing another balloon filled with water is thrown. Assessment focus: making and explaining predictions and observations.

Task: Select the most suitable thermometer to use for different purposes and answer two questions about scale. Assessment focus: making measurements decisions.

For this practical task students write a plan to find out if a microwave has a 'hot spot'. Students carry out their plan, collect, and interpret results.

Task: Interpret data from tables. Assessment focus: data interpretation.

Task: investigate reflection of light using a torch and mirror. Assessment focus: angle of reflection.

This practical task requires students to test a number of circuits and to give reasons why some of the circuits do not work while others do. Students also look at other circuits and explain what happens to the brightness of the bulb.

Task: Identify colours and surfaces that keep things cool. Assessment focus: heat absorption.

Task: Predict which of three balls dropped from different heights will squash most, explain why, and design an investigation to test prediction. Assessment focus: acceleration and fair testing.

Task: Predict, observe, and explain where a piece of wood floats in a container of water and oil. Assessment focus: flotation related to density; explaining predictions.