Science·Scientific Inquiry·meta
Asking scientific questions
Ask simple scientific questions and recognise that they can be answered in different ways including observation, testing, and research
Suggested ages 5–8
Learning journey
Your child is learning to be a young scientist — asking questions, making careful observations, recording what they see in simple charts and drawings, and testing ideas to find answers.
Evidence of understanding
- Ask at least three 'how' or 'why' questions about the natural world
- Suggest different ways to answer a question: observing, testing, asking an expert, reading a book
- Choose an appropriate method to investigate a specific question
Assessment prompt
When Asking scientific questions wonders about something — like 'why do leaves change colour?' — can they suggest how to find the answer, whether by looking closely, doing a test, or looking it up?
Standards alignment
K-2-ETS1-1US · ngss-k5
K-2-ETS1-1
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) K-5
KS1.Sci.WS.1GB · uk-nc-2013
Asking simple questions
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 1