FREE PRIMARY SCIENCE · Years 5–6 (challenge)
Challenge: Think like a scientist
How do scientists turn a hunch into a hypothesis, find a rule in data, and decide whether a claim can be trusted?
An iPad-only extension topic on scientific thinking. Builds on: Light and shadows (Year 5) and its Shadow maker investigation. Lesson 1 turns a hunch about shadow size into a testable hypothesis and finds a mathematical rule. Lesson 2 takes Galileo’s challenge about falling objects and explains it with balanced and unbalanced forces (a preview of Year 7 AC9S7U04). Lesson 3 is a ‘fix the flawed study’ task where students evaluate real-world-style claims. Previews Year 7 inquiry codes AC9S7I01, AC9S7I05 and AC9S7I06.
3 free lessons · Australian Curriculum v9
Lessons in this topic
Each lesson includes a teacher plan and activities. Check its materials label before teaching.
Hypothesis hunters: the shadow rule
Is there a rule that predicts how big a shadow will be?
Open free interactive lesson →Galileo’s challenge
Do heavier things fall faster, and why does a skydiver stop speeding up?
Open free interactive lesson →Fix the flawed study
How can we tell whether a scientific claim can be trusted?
Open free interactive lesson →
How to use these lessons
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