Activity: Investigating and improving questions

In this activity, students work in pairs to formulate and improve scientific questions.

The Scientific Question Criteria can be used as a guideline when reviewing the questions.

  • Resource type: classroom activity
  • Theme: Working scientifically

Working Scientifically Skills

Experimental skills and investigations

  • ask questions and develop a line of enquiry based on observations of the real world, alongside prior knowledge and experience
  • make predictions using scientific knowledge and understanding

Scientific attitudes

  • pay attention to objectivity and concern for accuracy, precision, repeatability and reproducibility

Third Level Scientific Skills

Inquiry and Investigative Skills:

Plans and designs scientific investigations and enquiries:

  • Demonstrates initiative and increasing independence in identifying a number of key questions and in formulating aims, predictions and hypotheses based on information, observations and knowledge.

Carries out practical activities within a variety of learning environments:

  • Includes a control experiment when appropriate in experimental design.
  • Manages identified controlled variables to ensure validity of results.

Curriculum Subject Links

  • Overarching themes of Science, Technology and Design.

Curriculum Skill Links

  • Listen to and take part in discussions, explanations, role-plays and presentations
  • Contribute comments, ask questions and respond to others’ points of view
  • Communicate information, ideas, opinions, feelings and imaginings, using an expanding vocabulary
  • Planning for investigations, obtaining evidence, presenting and interpreting results
  • Use investigative skills to explore scientific issues, solve problems and make informed decisions
  • Show deeper scientific understanding by thinking critically and flexibly, solving problems and making informed decisions, using Mathematics and ICT where appropriate
  • Work effectively with others

Use our learning resources with your students to explore the nature on your doorstep and discover the challenges it faces.

Taking small, actionable steps can have a big impact when it comes to helping the planet.