Asking Scientific Questions
Learning how to turn curiosity into a scientific question that can be tested through observation or experiment.
Key Questions
- Differentiate between a 'wondering' and a scientific question.
- Construct a testable question about plant growth.
- Explain why scientists ask questions before doing experiments.
National Curriculum Attainment Targets
About This Topic
Asking and Answering Questions is the first step in 'Working Scientifically'. For Year 2, the National Curriculum emphasizes asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways. This topic encourages natural curiosity and teaches students how to refine a broad wonder into a testable scientific question.
Students learn that science starts with 'I wonder...'. They explore the difference between a question that can be answered by looking in a book and one that can be answered by doing an experiment. This topic particularly benefits from hands-on, student-centered approaches where children can practice turning their own observations into investigations.
Active Learning Ideas
Think-Pair-Share: The Wonder Wall
Show a strange object (like a piece of volcanic rock or a giant seed). Students think of one 'I wonder' question, share it with a partner, and then post it on a 'Wonder Wall'. The class then votes on which ones we could test in the classroom.
Inquiry Circle: Question Sorters
Give small groups a set of questions (e.g., 'What is the capital of France?' vs 'Which ball bounces highest?'). They must sort them into 'Research Questions' (books/internet) and 'Investigation Questions' (doing a test).
Peer Teaching: The Question Doctor
One student shares a 'messy' question like 'Do plants like water?'. Their partner acts as the 'Question Doctor' to help make it more scientific, like 'Does a plant grow taller if we give it more water?'.
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Common MisconceptionAny question is a scientific question.
What to Teach Instead
Children often ask 'Why is the sky blue?' which is too complex for them to test. Through discussion, we can help them pivot to questions they *can* answer with their own hands, like 'Which material is the most waterproof?'.
Common MisconceptionScientists already know all the answers.
What to Teach Instead
Students often think science is about learning facts. By doing a 'mystery box' simulation where no one knows what's inside, they learn that science is actually a way of finding out things that are currently unknown.
Suggested Methodologies
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Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a question 'scientific' for a 7-year-old?
How do I help a child who can't think of a question?
How can active learning help students ask better questions?
Why do we need to ask questions in science?
Planning templates for Science
5E Model
The 5E Model structures lessons through five phases (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate), guiding students from curiosity to deep understanding through inquiry-based learning.
unit plannerThematic Unit
Organize a multi-week unit around a central theme or essential question that cuts across topics, texts, and disciplines, helping students see connections and build deeper understanding.
rubricSingle-Point Rubric
Build a single-point rubric that defines only the "meets standard" level, leaving space for teachers to document what exceeded and what fell short. Simple to create, easy for students to understand.
More in Working Scientifically
Making Predictions
Developing the skill of making informed predictions before conducting an experiment, based on prior knowledge.
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Planning Simple Investigations
Learning to plan simple comparative and fair tests to answer scientific questions.
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Conducting Fair Tests
Understanding that to get a reliable result, we must keep some things the same and change only one variable.
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Observing and Measuring
Developing skills in making careful observations and using simple equipment to take measurements.
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Recording Findings: Drawings and Tally Charts
Using drawings, tally charts, and simple tables to record observations and data from investigations.
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