Year 7 Science

Scientific Investigations

Guidance for Teachers and Parents.

Lesson 3. Observing and Measuring

National Curriculum: Programmes of Study for Sc1

In the context of Life Processes and living things, Materials and their properties and Physical Processes pupils should be taught about experimental and investigative methods.

Key Elements

(a) To make observations and measurements to a degree of precision appropriate to the context.

(b) To make sufficient relevant observations and measurements for reliable evidence.

(c) To repeat measurements and observations when appropriate.

(d) To record evidence clearly and appropriately as they carry out the work.

Objectives

Pupils should:

(a) Be developing their observational skills

(b) Be able to use a variety of measuring instruments; be able to use the correct units.

(c) Be able to calculate volume by a displacement method.

Notes

The use of the optical illusion is used to emphasise the importance of accurate observation and measurement. The initial observation is shown to be inaccurate when the horizontal lines are measured. Meniscus can be introduced when considering accurate volume measurement. Pupils may attempt to measure one swing of the pendulum. It can be suggested that they repeat the timing to see how accurately they can measure. This introduces the idea of repeating experiment to produce better data. Some may suggest finding the average. In this activity a single timing of ten or more swings, divided by number of individual swings is the best method.

Extension Work

Find out how different lengths of the pendulum string alter the swing time.

Plot a graph of length against time.

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