Evaluation Ladder Poster

The Evaluation Ladder Poster serves as an educational tool to guide students through the process of 'Working Scientifically' with a focus on evaluating experiments. At the base of the ladder, students begin by learning to identify any anomalies in their experimental data. This foundational skill is crucial as it enables them to recognise results that do not fit the expected pattern. As they climb the ladder, students are encouraged to suggest possible reasons for these anomalies, thereby developing their analytical skills and understanding of the experiment.

Moving further up the ladder, students are prompted to consider how they might improve their experimental methods. This step is about refining techniques to enhance the accuracy and reliability of their results. The ability to ask additional questions related to their experiments represents a higher rung on the ladder, indicating a deeper engagement with the subject matter and a curiosity to expand the scope of their investigation. Designing their own experiments demonstrates a more advanced level of scientific understanding and autonomy. Finally, at the top of the ladder, students aim to discuss the validity of their results, a skill that encapsulates the ability to critically assess the quality and reliability of their experimental data and the conclusions drawn from it.