Scientific Inquiry and Investigation: Glossary
179 words, listed in the order you meet them in Courseversity lessons.
All words in this topic
Grade 1
evidence
From Grade 1
what we see, hear or measure that shows something is true
Learn it in: What is science? (Grade 1), Reviewing scientific observation (Grade 2), Scientific questions (Grade 3)
question
From Grade 1
something we ask because we want to know
Learn it in: What is science? (Grade 1), Asking scientific questions (Grade 1), Asking investigable questions (Grade 2)
science
From Grade 1
finding out about the world by looking, asking and trying
Learn it in: What is science? (Grade 1)
plant
From Grade 1
a living thing that grows in soil, such as a bean or a tree
Learn it in: Science in everyday life (Grade 1), What are living things? (Grade 1), What are plants? (Grade 1)
weather
From Grade 1
what the air outside is like: sunny, rainy, windy or cloudy
Learn it in: Science in everyday life (Grade 1), What is weather (Grade 1), Daily weather observations (Grade 2)
hearing
From Grade 1
listening with our ears
Learn it in: Using our senses to observe (Grade 1), The five senses (Grade 1), Protecting our hearing (Grade 1)
observe
From Grade 1
to look and use your senses to find out
Learn it in: Using our senses to observe (Grade 1), What is weather (Grade 1), Observing the sky (Grade 1)
senses
From Grade 1
the ways we find out about things: sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch
Learn it in: Using our senses to observe (Grade 1)
sight
From Grade 1
seeing with our eyes
Learn it in: Using our senses to observe (Grade 1), The five senses (Grade 1)
feature
From Grade 1
something you notice about a thing, such as its colour or shape
Learn it in: Identifying objects (Grade 1), Sorting and grouping objects (Grade 1), Animals in habitats (Grade 2)
object
From Grade 1
a thing that you can see or touch
Learn it in: Identifying objects (Grade 1), What are materials (Grade 1)
part
From Grade 1
one piece of a whole thing
Learn it in: Identifying objects (Grade 1), What are plants? (Grade 1)
use
From Grade 1
what a thing is for
Learn it in: Identifying objects (Grade 1), Everyday uses of solids and liquids (Grade 2)
colour
From Grade 1
how a thing looks, such as red, blue or green
Learn it in: Describing colours, shapes and sizes (Grade 1)
describe
From Grade 1
to say what something is like
Learn it in: Describing colours, shapes and sizes (Grade 1), Functions of the senses (Grade 1)
shape
From Grade 1
the outline of a thing, like a circle or a square
Learn it in: Describing colours, shapes and sizes (Grade 1), Solids (Grade 3)
size
From Grade 1
how big or small a thing is
Learn it in: Describing colours, shapes and sizes (Grade 1)
compare
From Grade 1
to look at two things and say how they are the same and different
Learn it in: Comparing objects (Grade 1), Making simple predictions (Grade 2), Comparing objects (Grade 2)
heavier
From Grade 1
feels harder to hold up
Learn it in: Comparing objects (Grade 1), Comparing objects (Grade 2)
group
From Grade 1
things that go together
Learn it in: Sorting and grouping objects (Grade 1), Organising observations (Grade 2), Classifying animals (Grade 3)
rule
From Grade 1
what we use to decide which group a thing goes in
Learn it in: Sorting and grouping objects (Grade 1), Science safety rules (Grade 1), Safe machine use (Grade 2)
sort
From Grade 1
to put things into groups
Learn it in: Sorting and grouping objects (Grade 1), What are materials (Grade 1), Organising observations (Grade 2)
answer
From Grade 1
what we find out when we ask a question
Learn it in: Asking scientific questions (Grade 1)
investigate
From Grade 1
to find out by looking and trying
Learn it in: Asking scientific questions (Grade 1), Scientific questions (Grade 6)
detail
From Grade 1
a small part that helps us show something clearly
Learn it in: Recording observations using pictures (Grade 1)
label
From Grade 1
a word that names a part of a drawing
Learn it in: Recording observations using pictures (Grade 1), Drawing scientific diagrams (Grade 2), Designing simple solutions (Grade 3)
record
From Grade 1
to keep what we find out by drawing or writing
Learn it in: Recording observations using pictures (Grade 1), What is weather (Grade 1), Recording observations (Grade 2)
title
From Grade 1
the name of a drawing or a piece of writing
Learn it in: Recording observations using pictures (Grade 1), Drawing scientific diagrams (Grade 2)
adult
From Grade 1
a grown-up who looks after children
Learn it in: Science safety rules (Grade 1), Animal growth (Grade 2), Life cycles (Grade 2)
careful
From Grade 1
paying attention so nothing goes wrong
Learn it in: Science safety rules (Grade 1)
safe
From Grade 1
not likely to hurt you
Learn it in: Science safety rules (Grade 1), Basic personal safety (Grade 1), Safe machine use (Grade 2)
Grade 2
guess
From Grade 2
an idea with no evidence yet
Learn it in: Reviewing scientific observation (Grade 2)
hand lens
From Grade 2
a tool that makes small things look bigger
Learn it in: Reviewing scientific observation (Grade 2), Scientific equipment (Grade 3)
observation
From Grade 2
something you notice using your senses or a tool
Learn it in: Reviewing scientific observation (Grade 2)
investigable
From Grade 2
able to be answered by a test or observation
Learn it in: Asking investigable questions (Grade 2)
measure
From Grade 2
to find how much, how long or how many
Learn it in: Asking investigable questions (Grade 2), Measuring using simple tools (Grade 2), Observation and measurement (Grade 3)
prediction
From Grade 2
a thoughtful guess about what will happen
Learn it in: Making simple predictions (Grade 2), Predictions (Grade 3), Testable predictions (Grade 4)
result
From Grade 2
what we find out
Learn it in: Making simple predictions (Grade 2), Conditions affecting plant growth (Grade 2), Predictions (Grade 3)
centimetre
From Grade 2
a unit of length; 100 make one metre
Learn it in: Measuring using simple tools (Grade 2)
data
From Grade 2
information we collect
Learn it in: Recording observations (Grade 2), Weather records (Grade 2), Recording results (Grade 4)
table
From Grade 2
rows and columns for organised information
Learn it in: Recording observations (Grade 2), Comparing life cycles (Grade 2), Weather records (Grade 2)
tally
From Grade 2
a mark used to count, in groups of five
Learn it in: Recording observations (Grade 2), Data collection (Grade 5)
diagram
From Grade 2
a simple drawing that shows parts
Learn it in: Drawing scientific diagrams (Grade 2)
scale
From Grade 2
how big something is compared to real life
Learn it in: Drawing scientific diagrams (Grade 2), Temperature (Grade 2), Fish (Grade 3)
graph
From Grade 2
a picture of data
Learn it in: Organising observations (Grade 2), Weather graphs (Grade 3)
pattern
From Grade 2
something that repeats
Learn it in: Organising observations (Grade 2), Weather records (Grade 2), Measuring simple effects of forces (Grade 3)
because
From Grade 2
a word that gives a reason
Learn it in: Explaining results (Grade 2), Hypotheses and predictions (Grade 5)
conclusion
From Grade 2
what the results tell us
Learn it in: Explaining results (Grade 2), Drawing conclusions (Grade 3), Recording results (Grade 3)
fair test
From Grade 2
a test where only one thing changes
Learn it in: Explaining results (Grade 2), Conditions affecting plant growth (Grade 2), Sound and distance (Grade 2)
support
From Grade 2
to agree with or show to be right
Learn it in: Explaining results (Grade 2), Stem functions (Grade 3), Interpreting evidence (Grade 4)
equipment
From Grade 2
tools and materials we use
Learn it in: Science safety (Grade 2), Scientific equipment (Grade 3), Planning investigations (Grade 4)
report
From Grade 2
to tell an adult
Learn it in: Science safety (Grade 2), Communicating findings (Grade 3), Building and testing models (Grade 4)
Grade 3
testable
From Grade 3
can be answered by an investigation
Learn it in: Scientific questions (Grade 3), Scientific questions (Grade 4), Scientific investigation questions (Grade 5)
hypothesis
From Grade 3
a testable idea that explains something
Learn it in: Predictions (Grade 3), Testable predictions (Grade 4), Hypotheses and predictions (Grade 5)
accurate
From Grade 3
close to the true value
Learn it in: Observation and measurement (Grade 3), Temperature measurement (Grade 3), Building models (Grade 3)
unit
From Grade 3
a standard amount used to measure
Learn it in: Observation and measurement (Grade 3), Recording results (Grade 3), Measuring accurately (Grade 4)
measuring jug
From Grade 3
a container with a scale for liquids
Learn it in: Scientific equipment (Grade 3)
dependent variable
From Grade 3
the thing we measure
Learn it in: Planning investigations (Grade 3), Force investigations (Grade 3), Identifying variables (Grade 4)
independent variable
From Grade 3
the thing we change
Learn it in: Planning investigations (Grade 3), Force investigations (Grade 3), Identifying variables (Grade 4)
method
From Grade 3
the steps of a test
Learn it in: Planning investigations (Grade 3), Planning investigations (Grade 4), Controlled investigations (Grade 5)
bias
From Grade 3
an unfair influence on a result
Learn it in: Introduction to fair tests (Grade 3), Fair testing (Grade 4), Scientific reasoning (Grade 6)
repeat
From Grade 3
to do again
Learn it in: Introduction to fair tests (Grade 3), Testing designs (Grade 3), Planning investigations (Grade 4)
heading
From Grade 3
a title for a column or section
Learn it in: Recording results (Grade 3), Recording results (Grade 4)
qualitative
From Grade 3
described in words
Learn it in: Recording results (Grade 3), Data collection (Grade 5), Data collection (Grade 6)
quantitative
From Grade 3
measured in numbers
Learn it in: Recording results (Grade 3), Data collection (Grade 5), Data collection (Grade 6)
axis
From Grade 3
a line with labels on a chart
Learn it in: Tables and charts (Grade 3), Weather graphs (Grade 3), Tables and graphs (Grade 4)
bar chart
From Grade 3
a chart where bars show amounts
Learn it in: Tables and charts (Grade 3), Tables and graphs (Grade 5)
line graph
From Grade 3
a graph that joins points to show change
Learn it in: Tables and charts (Grade 3), Tables and graphs (Grade 4), Tables and graphs (Grade 5)
supported
From Grade 3
shown to be right by evidence
Learn it in: Drawing conclusions (Grade 3), Testable predictions (Grade 4), Hypotheses and predictions (Grade 6)
present
From Grade 3
to show and explain to others
Learn it in: Communicating findings (Grade 3), Engineering project (Grade 3), Engineering project (Grade 5)
engineer
From Grade 3
a person who designs and builds solutions
Learn it in: What is engineering? (Grade 3), Engineering design (Grade 4), The engineering design process (Grade 5)
constraint
From Grade 3
a limit on what we can use or do
Learn it in: Identifying practical problems (Grade 3), Engineering design (Grade 4), Identifying problems (Grade 5)
user
From Grade 3
the person who will use a solution
Learn it in: Identifying practical problems (Grade 3), Identifying problems (Grade 5), Engineering problems (Grade 6)
brainstorm
From Grade 3
to think of many ideas quickly
Learn it in: Designing simple solutions (Grade 3)
decision matrix
From Grade 3
a table that scores ideas
Learn it in: Designing simple solutions (Grade 3)
sketch
From Grade 3
a quick drawing of an idea
Learn it in: Designing simple solutions (Grade 3), Designing prototypes (Grade 5), Creating models (Grade 6)
structure
From Grade 3
something built to hold or support
Learn it in: Materials and structures (Grade 3), Functions of bones (Grade 4), Structures (Grade 4)
model
From Grade 3
a small version used for testing
Learn it in: Building models (Grade 3), Models of Earth and Moon (Grade 4), Building and testing models (Grade 4)
final design
From Grade 3
the best version after improvements
Learn it in: Engineering project (Grade 3)
Grade 4
controlled variable
From Grade 4
a thing we keep the same
Learn it in: Identifying variables (Grade 4), Variables (Grade 5), Controlled variables (Grade 6)
reliable
From Grade 4
giving similar results when repeated
Learn it in: Fair testing (Grade 4), Investigation evaluation (Grade 5), Testing designs (Grade 5)
error
From Grade 4
a difference from the true value
Learn it in: Measuring accurately (Grade 4), Investigation evaluation (Grade 5), Measurement and accuracy (Grade 6)
average
From Grade 4
a typical value found by adding and dividing
Learn it in: Recording results (Grade 4), Evidence analysis (Grade 5)
improvement
From Grade 4
a change that would make a test better
Learn it in: Evaluating investigations (Grade 4), Investigation evaluation (Grade 5)
source of error
From Grade 4
something that may have affected the result
Learn it in: Evaluating investigations (Grade 4)
strength
From Grade 4
how much load something can bear without breaking
Learn it in: Strength and stability (Grade 4)
triangle
From Grade 4
a three-sided shape that resists bending
Learn it in: Strength and stability (Grade 4)
concrete
From Grade 4
a hard mixture of cement, sand, stone and water
Learn it in: Materials for construction (Grade 4)
fixed pulley
From Grade 4
a pulley fixed in place that changes direction
Learn it in: Pulleys (Grade 4)
inclined plane
From Grade 4
a slope used to move loads up or down
Learn it in: Inclined planes (Grade 4)
mechanical advantage
From Grade 4
how much a machine multiplies our force
Learn it in: Mechanical advantage introduction (Grade 4)
trade-off
From Grade 4
giving up one thing to gain another
Learn it in: Mechanical advantage introduction (Grade 4), Engineering improvements (Grade 5), Engineering project (Grade 5)
Grade 5
opinion
From Grade 5
what someone thinks or feels, not measured
Learn it in: Scientific investigation questions (Grade 5)
anomaly
From Grade 5
a result that does not fit the pattern
Learn it in: Evidence analysis (Grade 5), Data collection (Grade 6), Analysing performance (Grade 6)
range
From Grade 5
the difference between highest and lowest
Learn it in: Evidence analysis (Grade 5), Data analysis (Grade 6), Analysing performance (Grade 6)
claim
From Grade 5
a statement of what you found
Learn it in: Scientific explanations (Grade 5), Scientific reasoning (Grade 6)
explanation
From Grade 5
a statement of why something happens
Learn it in: Scientific explanations (Grade 5)
reasoning
From Grade 5
the science that links evidence to the claim
Learn it in: Scientific explanations (Grade 5), Hypotheses and predictions (Grade 6), Scientific reasoning (Grade 6)
research
From Grade 5
finding out information
Learn it in: Researching solutions (Grade 5), Researching solutions (Grade 6)
decision table
From Grade 5
a table that scores ideas against criteria
Learn it in: Designing prototypes (Grade 5)
build log
From Grade 5
a record of what was made and changed
Learn it in: Building prototypes (Grade 5), Building prototypes (Grade 6)
Grade 6
risk assessment
From Grade 6
checking what could go wrong
Learn it in: Planning fair tests (Grade 6), Independent science project (Grade 6)
precision
From Grade 6
closeness of repeated readings to each other
Learn it in: Measurement and accuracy (Grade 6)
mean
From Grade 6
the total divided by the number of values
Learn it in: Data analysis (Grade 6), Data interpretation (Grade 6)
trend
From Grade 6
the pattern in the data
Learn it in: Data analysis (Grade 6), Data interpretation (Grade 6)
peer review
From Grade 6
checking by other scientists
Learn it in: Scientific reporting (Grade 6), Scientific reasoning (Grade 6)
problem statement
From Grade 6
a short description of what needs solving
Learn it in: Engineering problems (Grade 6)
biomimicry
From Grade 6
copying ideas from nature to solve problems
Learn it in: Researching solutions (Grade 6)
materials list
From Grade 6
a list of what is needed to build
Learn it in: Building prototypes (Grade 6)
ethics
From Grade 6
ideas about right and wrong
Learn it in: Presenting engineering solutions (Grade 6)
presentation
From Grade 6
a talk that shares ideas with an audience
Learn it in: Presenting engineering solutions (Grade 6)
glossary
From Grade 6
a list of terms with meanings
Learn it in: Scientific vocabulary review (Grade 6)
prefix
From Grade 6
letters added to the start of a word
Learn it in: Scientific vocabulary review (Grade 6)
suffix
From Grade 6
letters added to the end of a word
Learn it in: Scientific vocabulary review (Grade 6)
control variable
From Grade 6
a variable you keep the same
Learn it in: Scientific investigation review (Grade 6)
classification
From Grade 6
sorting living things into groups
Learn it in: Life science review (Grade 6)
particle theory
From Grade 6
all matter is made of tiny moving particles
Learn it in: Matter review (Grade 6)
project plan
From Grade 6
a written plan for an investigation
Learn it in: Independent science project (Grade 6)
goal
From Grade 6
something you want to achieve
Learn it in: Final Grade 6 mastery assessment (Grade 6)
mastery
From Grade 6
secure understanding that you can apply
Learn it in: Final Grade 6 mastery assessment (Grade 6)
revision
From Grade 6
going over work again to learn it
Learn it in: Final Grade 6 mastery assessment (Grade 6)