If you investigated the effect of water resistance on different shapes molded from plasticine by dropping them in a beaker of water and timing how long it takes them to reach the bottom, what would happen if you changed the amount of water, the shape of the plasticine and the mass of the different shapes?

Investigations normally involve experiments, predictions, methods, equipment and variables. You should have many opportunities to plan investigations in your science classes. Deciding how to carry out an investigation can be tricky. Which variables should you keep the same and which ones should you measure?  Added to that are the collection of results - how should you record them and how can you work out what you've learned?  The more experiments you do - not just at school, but at home or outside too - the better you will get at doing them.  Experience teaches you all this. The language of... Show more

Investigations normally involve experiments, predictions, methods, equipment and variables. You should have many opportunities to plan investigations in your science classes. Deciding how to carry out an investigation can be tricky. Which variables should you keep the same and which ones should you measure?  Added to that are the collection of results - how should you record them and how can you work out what you've learned?  The more experiments you do - not just at school, but at home or outside too - the better you will get at doing them.  Experience teaches you all this.

The language of investigations. 'Variable' is one of those words.  A variable is a factor in an experiment that can be changed. 'Measure' is another word used by scientists.  It's not only things like length or height that can be measured, lots of other things can too, like the number of leaves on a plant or how salty something tastes.  When you plan and carry out an investigation, you are being a proper scientist, so it's important to use the right words to describe what you are doing.

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