Year 5 Science · AC9S5I01

Pose investigable questions to identify patterns and test relationships and make reasoned predictions

Students move from observations to focused questions naming variables, select measurable outcomes and write predictions that state direction and scientific reasoning

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Learning goalsSay it simply

Students move from observations to focused questions naming variables, select measurable outcomes and write predictions that state direction and scientific reasoning.

A strong investigation question identifies a relationship that can be explored through controlled observation or measurement.

The prediction should be testable and based on evidence or a scientific explanation, not a preferred result.

Define criteria for words such as best or strong and isolate one relationship per investigation.

Learning routine: Observe → Model → Investigate → Analyse → Explain → Evaluate

Success looks like

  • Identify system components
  • Explain relationships with a model
  • Use evidence from a fair method
  • Apply to a new context
  • Evaluate limits and further questions
Key conceptTeach from the board

Turn an observed pattern into a variable question

1Observationdarker surfaces warmed more
2Variablessurface colour; temperature increase
3QuestionHow does surface colour affect temperature rise in equal light?
4Predictiondarker surfaces will warm more because they absorb more light

The prediction should be testable and based on evidence or a scientific explanation, not a preferred result.

  1. Read every label and identify the quantities, parts or evidence.
  2. Explain the relationship shown—not just the final answer.
  3. Check the conclusion against the original question and units.

Improve vague or multi-variable questions

weakimprovedWhich material is best?How does material type affect heat loss over 20 minutes?Do plants like water and light?How does water volume affect growth when light is controlled?Are magnets strong?How does distance affect attraction force or maximum pickup?

Define criteria for words such as best or strong and isolate one relationship per investigation.

Now transfer the same relationship to a new situation and justify the result with precise vocabulary.

Clean visual examplesOne-page board

Clean one-page examples

AC9S5I01 - Pose investigable questions to identify patterns and test relationships and make reasoned predictions
Example 1

1 Observation darker surfaces warmed more

Example 2

weak improved Which material is best? How does material type affect heat loss over 20 minutes? Do plants like water and light? How does water volume affect growth when light is controlled? Are magnets strong? How does distance affect attraction force or maximum pickup?

Example 3

1 Observation darker surfaces warmed more

Example 4

weak improved Which material is best? How does material type affect heat loss over 20 minutes? Do plants like water and light? How does water volume affect growth when light is controlled? Are magnets strong? How does distance affect attraction force or maximum pickup?

Curriculum examplesCopied content

Content description: pose investigable questions to identify patterns and test relationships and make reasoned predictions.

  • E1: posing questions that can be investigated scientifically, such as: ‘Do all animals which live in desert habitats have ways to survive without water?’
  • E2: acknowledging and using information from First Nations Australians to guide the formulation of investigable questions about structural features and behaviours of living things
  • E3: posing investigable questions about landscape features and how they were changed by weathering, erosion, transportation or deposition
  • E4: asking questions and making predictions to test relationships, such as: ‘Will there be more erosion of steeper slopes? Will this organisation of mirrors enable me to see around corners? Are animals that camouflage well more likely to survive predation?’
  • E5: making reasoned predictions about the habitat a plant or animal lives in or the observable effect of light interacting with an object
Questions and answersWith answers

Core idea: A strong investigation question identifies a relationship that can be explored through controlled observation or measurement.

Remember

  • Identify system components
  • Explain relationships with a model
  • Use evidence from a fair method
  • Apply to a new context
  • Evaluate limits and further questions

Important questions

  • Identify variables. Explain using the model or evidence above.
  • Write a relationship question. Explain using the model or evidence above.
  • Add a because reason. Explain using the model or evidence above.
  • Improve ‘best’. Explain using the model or evidence above.
  • Distinguish prediction/conclusion. Explain using the model or evidence above.
Practice and reviewReady for practice
  • Question asks opinion — Use measurable evidence.
  • Prediction gives no direction — State what is expected to increase, decrease or differ.
  • Several variables change together — Focus the relationship.
  • Prediction rewritten after results — Record it before testing and evaluate later.

Learn from the Topic Guide and fixed Teacher Slides, complete the Practice Sheet, use Practice for supported feedback, then take the Test when ready.

Curriculum alignmentStart here

Students move from observations to focused questions naming variables, select measurable outcomes and write predictions that state direction and scientific reasoning.

A strong investigation question identifies a relationship that can be explored through controlled observation or measurement.

The prediction should be testable and based on evidence or a scientific explanation, not a preferred result.

Define criteria for words such as best or strong and isolate one relationship per investigation.

Learning routine: Observe → Model → Investigate → Analyse → Explain → Evaluate

Success looks like

  • Identify system components
  • Explain relationships with a model
  • Use evidence from a fair method
  • Apply to a new context
  • Evaluate limits and further questions
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