Science · Pioneers 11–15 · Year 10
Working scientifically: investigations and data
How do scientists know when they're wrong?
What you will learn
- Write a testable hypothesis with independent, dependent and control variables
- Collect data with repeats, identify anomalies and calculate uncertainty
- Analyse data with graphs, gradients and proportionality
- Evaluate validity, reliability and peer-review a report
Helpful to know first: Fair test design; Line graphs
Discover
Think first: How do scientists know when they're wrong? Say or jot one idea before you read on.
Learn — core route
- Pendulum period investigation
- Uncertainty from repeats
- Peer-review swap
Lessons in this subject: Learn Topics · Science
Practise — check a common mix-up
An anomaly should always be deleted.
More decimal places means more accurate.
Apply / Create — Independent Investigation
Plan, carry out and write up an investigation of your own question with hypothesis, repeats, uncertainty, graph analysis and evaluation.
Evidence type: experiment record · accessible alternative always allowed (speak it, draw it, or show an adult).
How it is judged (rubric)
- Beginning: Collects data
- Developing: Repeats + graph
- Secure: Hypothesis, repeats, uncertainty, analysis and evaluation
- Extending: Compares with literature and proposes follow-up
Explain — say what you did
Review later
We'll offer a quick memory check in 7, 21 and 45 days. Mark this done and your Today page will remind you gently.
For grown-ups · framework mappings
- aligned to UK NC · KS4 Working scientifically
- aligned to NGSS · HS-ETS1-3; Science and Engineering Practices
Status: Live · reviewed
What's next?