Growing radishes

Growing radishes

Pencil and paperOnline interactive
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Working with Students
This task is about your understanding of carrying out a fair test.
Sarah carried out an investigation. She got 6 radish plants, 2 containers, and some soil from the garden centre. She then planted 3 radish plants into each container and put one container in the shade and one container in the sun. Sarah watered her plants every day for a week.

Question 2Change answer

a) What was the aim of her investigation?

Question 2Change answer

b) What are three important things that Sarah should keep the same in her investigation?
 

Question 2Change answer

c) What should Sarah measure to find an answer to her investigation?

Question 2Change answer

d)  Why did Sarah plant three radish plants in each container?
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online.
Level:
5
Curriculum info: 
Science, Investigating in science, Living World
Keywords: 
Life processes, plants, fair testing, growth, light
Description of task: 
Students are given an outline of a fair test. They are asked to identify the aim, variables to be controlled, how to judge the results, and an aspect of replication.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Gather and interpret data
This resource provides opportunities to discuss methodology in investigations in particular fair testing.
Science capabilities: 
Gather and interpret data
Answers/responses: 

 

Y10 (11/02)
a) To investigate the effect of sun/shade on plant growth. moderate
b)

Main variables: 

  • Same soil.
  • Same age of plant/size of plant.
  • Same amount of water.

Secondary variables: 

  • Amount of soil.
  • Size of container.
  • Time of watering.
  • Other plausible variables.
  • At least 2 main variables and 1 other.

Any 1 of: 

  • 1 main variable and 2 others.
  • 2 main variables or any 3 variables.

Any two variables.

difficult
 

 

 

 

 

 

moderate

 

easy
c) Answer shows evidence of measurement of plant growth, e.g., weight, height, size of plant, number of leaves. moderate
d)

Shows an understanding of any 1 of:

  • Repeat trialling.
  • Replicating the investigation.
  • Averaging results for accuracy.
  • Allowing for individual differences.
 difficult

 

Diagnostic and formative information: 
  Common error
d) 25% of students stated 'In case one/some plants die'.