Grade 1 · STEM Skills and Connections · Science Investigation Skills
Ask, Test, and Share
Scientists learn by asking questions and gathering evidence. A careful test changes one thing, keeps other conditions the same, and records what happens.
Visual model
See how the ideas connect
Ask a testable question
Follow safe investigation steps
Record and share observations
Science Investigation Skills
For students
Notice, predict, explain
Choose one part of the model. Predict how it connects to another part, then use the lesson evidence to explain your thinking.
For teachers
Pause for science talk
Show the model before the explanation. Ask “What do you notice?” and “What might change?” Then revisit student ideas after the worked example.
The big idea
Evidence helps us answer questions
A good investigation has a clear question, safe steps, careful observations, and a conclusion that matches the evidence.
Work it through
Compare three materials
- Step 1 Ask: Which material absorbs the most water - paper towel, wax paper, or cloth?
- Step 2 Use equal-sized pieces and place the same number of water drops on each one.
- Step 3 Observe what happens and record each result with words, numbers, or drawings.
- Step 4 Use the observations to explain which material absorbed the most water.