Science·Scientific Inquiry·procedural
Fair testing
Set up simple practical enquiries, comparative tests, and fair tests, understanding the importance of changing only one variable at a time
Suggested ages 7–9
Learning journey
Your child is learning to think and work like a scientist by setting up fair tests, making careful observations and measurements, recording data in charts and tables, and drawing conclusions from their investigations.
Evidence of understanding
- Explain what makes a test 'fair' (only one variable changes, everything else stays the same)
- Identify the variable to change, the variable to measure, and the variables to keep the same
- Set up and carry out a comparative or fair test with support
Assessment prompt
If Fair testing wants to find out which soil is best for growing beans, can they set up a fair test where only the soil changes and everything else stays the same?
Standards alignment
KS2L.Sci.WS.1GB · uk-nc-2013
Asking questions and using scientific enquiries
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Lower Key Stage 2
KS2L.Sci.WS.2GB · uk-nc-2013
Setting up practical enquiries and fair tests
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Lower Key Stage 2