Science resources

Decide if a described investigation is a fair test, and explain the decision. Assessment focus: identifying fair testing.

Students are given an outline of an investigation on heat loss from two different shaped objects (a cube and a sphere). They answer questions on variable control, repeat trialling, and they then graph data from this investigation.

Students answer two multiple choice questions about fair testing in the context of static electricity.

Students evaluate a fair test about whether salt or sugar solution dissolves faster.

Task: Process and interpret data in a table to identify the best paper to use for a game. Evaluate the reliability of the collected data. Assessment focus: using evidence to answer a question.

In this NEMP task students discuss observations of six unknown common household powders. They design a chart for results, find properties for each, and identify what each powder is. Assessment focus: identifying substances; teamwork.

Task: Look at the arrangement of fibres for four different paper towels, arrange an appropriate sequence of instructions, carry out the instructions and then communicate the data in an appropriate graph that will help answer the question. Different elements of the nature of science are embedded throughout the tasks. Assessment focus: planning and carrying out a fair test, using evidence to answer a question.

Task: Sequence drawings of a bean seedling to show order of events during germination. Assessment focus: germination.

Task: Place in order six statements about a series of food chain related events in a beech forest, and justify decisions. Assessment focus: interdependence.

Task: Name the parts of a bike and describe how some of them work. Assessment focus; knowledge of the working systems of a bicycle.

Task: describe how different features of a racing car help it go fast. Assessment focus: technological responses to forces.

Students compare cars from different eras. They describe how different features of modern cars make them safer. The task assesses students' understanding of how technology can make cars faster and safer.

Task: students investigate the rolling distance of marbles on different surfaces. Assessment focus: processing information to answer a question.

Task: Answer questions about car tyres. Assessment focus: friction; air pressure.

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

This practical task requires students to plan a method to determine which magnet is the strongest. Students carry out their plan, record results and write a conclusion.

For this practical task students make observations about the effect of coloured lights on different coloured objects. Students then draw some conclusions about their findings.

Task: Answer a multiple choice question about the material attracted to magnets, select which magnet of four is strongest, and give a reason for choice. Assessment focus: magnetism.

Task: Select which picture correctly shows an ice cube in a glass of water and select correct explanation. Assessment focus: density of ice.

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.

Students are given a partially completed table which details materials which are used as either conductors or insulators of heat. Students complete the table by indicating whether the materials conduct or insulate heat or give an example of its use.

Task: Answer questions about what happens to the light form a torch. Assessment focus: light.

Task: Answer a multiple choice questions about what would be seen on earth if a meteor hit the moon, and explain why that answer is correct. Assessment focus: how sound and light travel.

Students formulate questions about glaciers and climate change to show awareness that informed opinions are based on inter-related aspects of evidence rather than individual instances.