Investigative skills worksheets
That’s my stone!
How good are your observation skills? Have a go at this game which tests how good you are at spotting the similarities and differences between objects.
Sun cream investigation
When we go out in summer we have to apply sun cream or sun spray to help stop us from being burnt by the sun. Does this really work? Does it really stop us from being burnt by the sun’s rays? Try this simple experiment to find out!
Sinking and floating investigation
Look at these pictures. Can you identify the objects? Which ones do you think will float in water? Which ones will sink? Why? Ask a parent if there any that you can test.
Separating solids investigation
Ask an adult to provide you with a bowl filled with rice, sand, metal paper clips (or pins) and pasta (ideally penne) all mixed together. How could separate these materials? Ask to use a sieve, some plastic bowls and a magnet. See if you can use this equipment to separate out these solids.
Seed germination investigation
Let's investigate which conditions affect seed germination!
Pollution investigation
Unfortunately human activities can have negative impacts on habitats and the animals that live in them. This investigation will help you to understand the impact of an oil spill on our ocean habitats.
Paper airplane challenge
Make yourself a selection of paper airplanes. You’re going to race your planes against each other, but first decide on the parameters you want to measure (for example, speed or distance). Now predict which plane will win each completion. Were you right?
On-the-ground investigation
Throw a hoop or a circle of string around an area of grass and look really carefully at all the different things you can see there. Make a list or draw pictures of all the different things you can see. It might include bugs, different types of grasses, soil, flowers and stones. You can also do this with a friend to see if they can find different items to you.
Observing electricity
Choose a selection of small electrical objects, preferably two-battery operated. Look closely at how the batteries are arranged. Open up a plug and look at the wires, all going in different directions. Can you work with your adult helper to put the plug back together? If you have an electricity meter clock, look at the dial turning and how much electricity you are using.
Moon phase diary
Use this sheet to create a simple moon phase diary. Look out of your window every night for a month and draw what the moon looks like. Record the date underneath each picture.
Micro-organisms investigation
This investigation will help you find out which conditions will encourage micro-organisms such as mould to grow.
Investigation: will it dissolve?
When we add some solids to water (or other liquids), they dissolve. Try this simple experiment to see which household solids will dissolve and which won’t.
Investigating temperature
This activity is designed to help you learn that different places around your home will be different temperatures and also to help you to practise reading scales on a thermometer.
Investigating bugs
Arm yourself with some small containers (see-through if possible) and a magnifying glass and find out what bugs live in your garden. Lift up stones and logs, look in dark corners near sheds, dig around in the soil and find cobwebs on the window sill. See if you can catch some bugs in your containers and talk to an adult about what each bug looks like.
Investigating animal homes
Think about all the ways our houses protect us. Now think about animals or bugs living in your garden or house. Where do animals and bugs like to live? Draw a picture and/or write the name of their home. Cut out all the cards and make two piles, one for creature cards and one for house cards; mix them up. Pick one card from each pile. Would a mouse like to live in a fish pond? Would a frog like to live in a bee hive? Why?
Investigate shadows
Be a shadow detective! Place an object outside and record how the height and width of the shadow cast by the object changes throughout the day. Record them on this sheet.
Identifying good habitats
Try to find four different habitats that animals or minibeasts live in around your house. Make notes on how effective each of these habitats is.
Identifying animal features
Many animals across the world have similar characteristics, even if they live in very different places. Use your research skills to find information in books and online and see how many animals you can put in the following boxes. Remember, some animals may fall into more than one box!
How fast do you breathe?
We breathe all of the time. Breathing is vital to ensure that oxygen is taken into our bodies and harmful carbon dioxide is taken out of our body… but how fast do we breathe? When does this change? Why? Complete the table and see if this helps you to answer these questions.
How does sound resonate?
Resonance is described as the intensification and prolongation of sound, especially of a musical tone, produced by sympathetic vibration. Now ask an adult if you can borrow some glasses to investigate how the amount of water in a glass can affect the resonance sound made.