Grade 6 Science: Scientific Method and Research Skills
Free Grade 6 Science unit on Scientific Method and Research Skills: 10 lessons in order. Includes practice questions and answer keys.
10 lessons in this unit
Scientific questions
Learn to tell testable scientific questions from opinions, turn broad curiosity into a question that can be investigated by measuring, and write questions that name what changes and what is measured.
Lesson 2Hypotheses and predictions
Learn the difference between a hypothesis (a testable explanation using “because”) and a prediction (what will happen), write both from a question using scientific reasoning, and understand that a hypothesis can be supported or not supported.
Lesson 3Independent and dependent variables
Learn that the independent variable is the one we deliberately change and the dependent variable is the one we measure as a result, identify both in investigations and place them correctly on a results table and graph.
Lesson 4Controlled variables
Learn that controlled variables are the things we keep the same so the test is fair, list them for an investigation, explain how failing to control one can give misleading results and spot uncontrolled variables in a flawed plan.
Lesson 5Planning fair tests
Learn to write a complete plan for a fair test: question, hypothesis, variables, equipment, method with enough repeats, safety and how results will be recorded, then check it against a checklist.
Lesson 6Measurement and accuracy
Learn to choose suitable measuring instruments and units, read scales carefully, tell accuracy (closeness to the true value) from precision (closeness of repeated readings), and reduce error by repeating and averaging.
Lesson 7Data collection
Learn to collect data methodically, use tally charts and results tables with headings and units, tell quantitative from qualitative data, and spot anomalous results while recording honestly.
Lesson 8Data analysis
Learn to analyse data by finding means, ranges and patterns, drawing line graphs and bar charts correctly, and describing trends and relationships.
Lesson 9Scientific conclusions
Learn to write a conclusion that answers the question using evidence from the data, states whether the hypothesis was supported, uses numbers and scientific explanation, and notes limitations.
Lesson 10Scientific reporting
Learn to communicate an investigation in a clear report with title, aim, hypothesis, method, results, conclusion and evaluation, use scientific vocabulary, cite sources honestly and present findings to others.