A1.1 Research: asking and finding out
A research question asks something you can find out: *Which animals live in our park?* You find out by observing, asking an expert, and reading. Write down what each source says, then compare — if two sources agree, you can trust it more.
Example
Find out: What do rabbits eat in winter?
- Observe: look for nibbled bark and twigs near rabbit tracks in the snow.
- Ask and read: a wildlife book says bark, twigs and buds when grass is buried.
- Compare: both say bark and twigs. Record it with a drawing and a sentence.
A1.2 Experiment: a fair test
In a fair test, only one thing changes and everything else stays the same. Then you know what caused the result. Measure with a ruler, a cup or a timer, and record the numbers in a table.
Example
Test: Which paper towel soaks up the most water?
- Same: one sheet each, the same size, dipped for the same count of ten.
- Change: only the brand of towel.
- Measure: squeeze each into a cup and read the millilitres. Record in a table; the biggest number wins.
A1.3 Design: build, test, improve
Example
Design a ramp so a toy car rolls as far as possible.
- Plan: draw it; decide what counts — the distance the car rolls after the ramp.
- Build and test: measure the roll with a tape.
- Improve: raise the ramp one block and test again. Keep the change that rolled farther.
A1.4 Safety in the science room
Example
Choose the safety steps for mixing salt into warm water and cutting cardboard.
- Warm water: goggles on; carry the cup with two hands; wipe spills right away so no one slips.
- Cutting: hold the cardboard flat; cut away from your fingers; carry scissors tips down.
- Wash hands after, and tell the teacher about any cut or spill.
A1.5 Sharing what you found
Example
Share the paper-towel results with the class, then with a younger class.
- For your class: a bar chart with the millilitres for each towel, and the science words absorb and measure.
- For the younger class: a drawing of the wettest towel, and one sentence: "This towel soaked up the most."
- Same result, different format for a different audience.
Summary
- Observe, ask, read; compare sources.
- Change one thing; measure and record.
- Plan, build, test, improve.
- Goggles, two hands, scissors down.
- Match the format to the audience.