Sci-box
INVESTIGATIONS
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Sci-box INVESTIGATIONS |
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"A very useful resource." "Fantastic ideas for use in the classroom" "This site is straightforward to use and particularly stimulating for the children." "A wonderful resource that I am looking forward to using and sharing with staff." "Very inspiring!"
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Click on the relevant picture to open up the investigation page. |
Sci-box contains a host of ideas for simple investigations that can be carried out by children aged 7-11. As well as proposing a topic for investigation, each page includes suggestions regarding the equipment that may be required; how to ensure "fair test" procedure; how to record and present findings; evaluating the investigation, etc. Nevertheless, the over-arching emphasis is on encouraging children to think for themselves.
Many of the investigations contain links to appropriate websites that extend children's understanding or illustrate the principle of the investigation. For additional recommended links, click here.
Click here to see an example report.
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Click on the book symbols to see how each investigation relates to the QCA scheme of work. |
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My old fruit Which type of fruit goes mouldy quickest?
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A-tissue, a-tissue Comparing different types of paper towels and tissues.
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Eggs-change Compare the properties of fresh eggs and boiled eggs.
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That sinking feeling Investigating whether materials and objects float or sink.
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Rolling along? How far will a toy car travel when rolled down a slope?
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All fall down Does the mass of an object affect how quickly it drops?
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On the ball Which type of ball bounces the most?
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Having a ball Does the height a ball bounces depend on how high it is dropped from?
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On the bounce Investigating how high a ball bounces on different surfaces
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Batteries not included Which brand of batteries lasts the longest?
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Choc-a-block Which chocolate-covered biscuit bars have the most chocolate covering?
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Keep your hair on How strong is a single human hair?
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Blooming lovely Can flowers survive in liquids other than water?
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Light re-leaf Does the colour of light affect plant growth?
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Re-leaf map Investigating different types of leaves.
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Spaghetti "Oops!" How much mass can be supported by a stick of spaghetti?
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Happy as a sandboy! What is the mass (weight) of a grain of sand?
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Beam me up! Testing the strength of horizontal beams made of various materials.
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Spring-time What effect does it have on a spring to add different masses?
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Magnetic? Investigate which materials are magnetic?
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Can you dig it? Does soil vary or is it always the same?
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A nice hot cup of tea Investigate the heat-insulating properties of various materials.
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Eating snails What do snails prefer to eat?
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Squirm How many worms in a square metre of soil? Does it vary for different types of soil?
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Stir crazy Investigate which substances dissolve in water.
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That's cool! What kind of ice-cubes melt quickest?
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Still crazy Is there a limit to how much of a substance will dissolve in water?
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On the slopes Which objects slide more easily down a slope?
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Bubbling away Which is the best brand of washing-up liquid?
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Slippery slope Does an object slide down a slope more easily on some surfaces?
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'Chuting star How does the size of a parachute affect its rate of descent?
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Soap stars Which is the best brand of soap?
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'Chute 'em down How does the mass of an object affect its rate of descent by parachute?
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Heartbeat How fast does the heart beat during different activities?
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Face the music Does music affect concentration?
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Beats to the bar Is heart-rate affected by music?
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Memory like an elephant What factors affect (human) memory?
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Full speed ahead Is a person's reaction time affected by their age?
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Banana split What happens to bananas stored at different temperatures?
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Sssshhhh! Investigate the sound-insulating properties of various materials.
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Good vibrations How does the length of a vibrating ruler affect the note produced?
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Bridge that gap Investigate the best bridge design.
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Helicopter How do various factors affect the performance of a paper helicopter?
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Watered down Do objects fall through different liquids at the same speed?
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Up, up and away What is the best design for a paper aeroplane?
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In full swing (M) How is the period of a pendulum affected by the mass on the end of the string?
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In full swing (A) How is the period of a pendulum affected by the angle from which the pendulum is released?
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In full swing (L) How is the period of a pendulum affected by the length of the string?
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The long and short of it. Why are shadows sometimes long and sometimes short?
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Mirror, mirror on the wall. Investigating mirrors and reflections.
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Shadow-play How do shadows change during the day?
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Spinner-design What is the best design for a flying spinner?
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What's around the corner? How to look round corners using a mirror
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If you need even more ideas for investigations, CLICK HERE
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If you are a UK teacher and want "useful stuff", check out how these investigations fit into the QCA Scheme of work; suggestions for using Sci-box; assessing AT1
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