Science / Year 8 / Science Inquiry Skills / Questioning and predicting

Curriculum content descriptions

Identify questions and problems that can be investigated scientifically and make predictions based on scientific knowledge (ACSIS139)

Elaborations
  • considering whether investigation using available resources is possible when identifying questions or problems to investigate
  • recognising that the solution of some questions and problems requires consideration of social, cultural, economic or moral aspects rather than or as well as scientific investigation
  • using information and knowledge from their own investigations and secondary sources to predict the expected results from an investigation
General capabilities
  • Literacy Literacy
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and creative thinking
ScOT terms

Predictions (Science),  Research questions

Video

Experimentals: Do different things fall faster?

Want to find out what happens when you drop a watermelon and an apple from the top of a building? In this clip, Bernie Hobbs and Ruben Meerman, investigate whether the mass of an object influences how fast it falls. Bernie and Ruben ride the 'Giant Drop' at Dreamworld, drop a watermelon and apple from an eighth floor balcony, ...

Interactive

iPlan

This resource contains ten IWB flipcharts as well as Flash alternative exercises and models how to plan a scientific investigation, choose the right equipment and follow safe working practices.

Interactive

experiMENTALS: Disappearing coin trick

This resource contains a materials, instructions and brief explanation for students about the process of rotating hands to make a coin seem to dislodge.

Video

Catalyst: Do heavier things fall faster?

Will a medicine ball or a basketball hit the ground first when dropped at the same time from the same height? In this clip, Catalyst's Dr Derek Muller investigates what influences the speed at which objects fall. Derek challenges some people in a market to make a prediction and explain their thinking, before he finally ...

Interactive

Energy skate park

This interactive simulation explores the conservation of energy in a skater moving on a curved ramp. In a series of simulations students explore the transformation of energy between kinetic and potential energy; how changing the mass, friction, or gravity affects the skater's energy; students can predict position or estimate ...

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Earthquake-Resistant Building Challenge

In this activity, students are the engineers tasked with designing and building a three story building that can resist large earthquakes. They will follow the design-thinking framework to investigate the problem, design an earthquake-resistant building, create and test the building, and then refine their designs to withstand ...

Text

Stone Tools

In this series of activities, students investigate stone tools and how the properties of a stone influence its use. Students justify what type of stone would be best for making different tools and analyse how the properties of a stone determine its use, then conduct an investigation to assess the grinding potential of different ...

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Volatile Volcanoes

In this activity, students investigate the effects of volcanic activity, specifically in relation to pyroclastic flows. Students will use a real-world example to explore pyroclastic flow events, model and investigate the path most likely to be taken by flows, and develop a natural disaster management plan for villages likely ...

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Edible Igneous Rocks

In this activity, students explore how igneous rocks are formed by creating delicious igneous rock lollies, and identify how the properties of rocks determine how they are used. This resource is part of a suite of activities from Queensland Museum focused on plate tectonics and volcanoes.

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Plate Tectonics 1: Continental Drift

In this activity students use fossil evidence to identify how the continents have moved over time. They then recreate Gondwana using the maps and fossil evidence provided. This resource is part of a suite of activities from Queensland Museum focused on plate tectonics and volcanoes.

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Working scientifically and physical world – The cooling rate of water

This activity challenges students to plan and undertake an investigation into what affects the cooling rate of hot water. The task is intended to be a formative skill-based task which aims at providing feedback to students as well as allowing students the opportunity to self-reflect on the completion of a practical task.

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Work sample Year 8 Science: Bouncing ball

This work sample demonstrates evidence of student learning in relation to aspects of the achievement standards for Year 8 Science. The primary purpose for the work sample is to demonstrate the standard, so the focus is on what is evident in the sample not how it was created. The sample is an authentic representation of ...

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Output of a Solar Cell

This activity invites students to measure the efficiency of solar cells as they convert sunlight to power. The activity includes a list of tools and materials required, assembly instructions, what to do and notice, an explanation for the underlying science of what students observe and suggestions for further activities.

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Earthquake shake | Questacon

In this activity, students build a model bridge and test it in earthquake-simulated conditions. They are then challenged to consider the performance of their structure and redesign and build an improved bridge. The activity includes a list of what is required, suggestions of what to do and notice, questions to ask, an explanation ...

Text

Liquefaction tank | Questacon

In this activity, students explore how liquefaction can occur in sandy soils during an earthquake. They build their own model with different physical conditions, simulate an earthquake and observe the outcome. The activity includes a list of what is required, suggestions of what to do and notice, questions to ask, an explanation ...

Interactive

Build a Molecule

This interactive simulation challenges students to build molecular structures given a set of atoms. In a series of simulations students build simple molecules from atoms; construct molecules from the chemical formula and experiment with combining atoms to build larger molecules. The resource does not require registration ...

Video

Landline: Spinifex research

What does spinifex grass contain that might prove useful in modern buildings? Watch this clip and discover how Aboriginal knowledge, combined with Western science, is unlocking the potential of spinifex. Find out about this natural resource and how it could become a new, sustainable material for the building industry.

Interactive

Biodiversity – sustainability action process (Years 7–10)

This biodiversity learning resource guides students through an extended school based investigation. Students develop and implement a chosen sustainability action and then evaluate and reflect on their success and their learning.

Video

Four Corners: Ecological effects of bushfires

Did you know that Australia is the most flammable continent on Earth? Watch this clip to discover how bushfires impact natural ecosystems, and how the increasing global threat of bushfires may affect Australia. Australian scientists explain the ecological consequences of fire and a US expert describes his concerns for the future.

Video

Four Corners: Increasing threat of megafires

Many scientists believe we are already experiencing megafires and that they will continue to increase in the future. In this clip you will hear from Australian scientists at the forefront of fire research. Discover what they have to say about the causes, projections, and consequences of an increased megafire threat.