Working scientifically teaching resources

Worksheets and lesson ideas to challenge students to think hard about working scientifically: is it valid, reproducible, repeatable and accurate? (GCSE and Key Stage 3)

teaching skills in scienceThe resources below will support the teaching of working scientifically skills. Resources are appropriate for Key Stage 3 and GCSE students (ages 11 to 16).

For students to carry out scientific inquiries, and experience the joy of doing science, they need to understand a number of complex concepts, such as variables, relationships and causation, as well as use a range of apparatus and techniques. This is of course on top of the scientific ideas they are learning about.

It is best to focus on teaching discrete skills and not to overload students with excessive conceptual and procedural demands caused by introducing too many new ideas at once.

Check out this excellent glossary of the Language of scientific measurements and investigations to help clarify meanings of key terms used in school science investigations – consistency between classrooms and throughout years is key to supporting students’ progression as they move from year to year.

Further reading:
  1. Accuracy and precision
  2. Writing a scientific method
  3. Variables in science
  4. Reproducible and repeatable measurements