Investigating in science resources

Students read a passage about a proposed fair test and then list four variables that need to be controlled.

Task: Select cards to show how to control the variables of an investigation into the rolling distance of marbles on different surfaces. Assessment focus: controlling variables.

Task: students, in small groups, discuss a concept cartoon about rolling cans, before making a prediction about which will roll further. Assessment focus: making predictions about friction.

Task: select a card to show how to control the variables of an investigation into the rolling distance of marbles on different surfaces. Assessment focus: controlling variables.

This practical task requires students to record temperatures of various areas in the school and to suggest reasons why some areas are warmer or cooler than others.

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.

In this practical task students predict, and then measure the temperature of water from a range of familiar sources.

Task: Explain how to use the magnet to remove a drawing pin out of a glass of water without putting the magnet in the glass, touching the glass with hands, or spilling the water. Assessment focus: using knowledge of magnetism to solve a problem.

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.

Students investigate energy transfer by colliding marbles, explaining their observations, and what happens to the energy of the moving marble on impact.

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

For this practical task students investigate convection currents when tea leaves are placed into a beaker of water that is being heated. They are asked to make observations and to provide an explanation of what they have observed.

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: 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: 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.

Students predict and investigate the way in which a concave and a convex lens distort the image of a pencil.

Students carry out a simple experiment to illustrate refraction. They then explain why this happened.

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.

This task requires students to develop questions about their local geology and name possible information sources.

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.