Year 6 Science · Working scientifically (Years 5-6) · Summary
Year 6 Science Working scientifically (Years 5-6): summary and key words
Part of the Year 6 Science working scientifically (years 5-6) chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page
Chapter summary
| Skill | Method |
|---|---|
| Fair tests | Change only one variable on purpose. Keep the fixed variables the same. Measure the measured variable. |
| Accuracy and precision | Repeat measurements and take the mean. Close repeats are precise. Read scales carefully. |
| Tables and graphs | Record results in a table. Use bar charts for groups and line graphs for change over time. Label axes with units. |
| Predictions | Use the pattern in the evidence to predict. Test the prediction with a further test. |
| Conclusions and evidence | Write a conclusion that matches the data. Evidence can support or refute an idea. Trust results with repeats. |
Can you…?
- I can name the changed, measured and fixed variables in a fair test
- I can plan a fair test that changes only one variable
- I can take repeat readings, find the mean, and spot an outlier
- I can read a measuring cylinder to the nearest millilitre
- I can choose a bar chart or a line graph, and label it fully
- I can make a prediction from results, and say what a further test would check
- I can write a conclusion that matches the data, and say whether evidence supports an idea
Key terms
- fair test
- a test in which only one variable is changed and the others are kept the same
- changed variable
- the one thing we change on purpose in a test
- measured variable
- the thing we measure to get the results
- fixed variables
- the things that are kept the same in a fair test
- accuracy
- how close a measurement is to the true value
- precision
- how close repeated measurements are to each other
- mean
- the total of several results divided by the number of results
- outlier
- a result that is far from the others and should be checked
- prediction
- a sensible guess, based on evidence, about what will happen
- evidence
- information from tests or observations that can support or refute an idea
- causal relationship
- when one thing causes a change in another
- conclusion
- a short statement that answers the question of a test, and matches the results