Planning Ladder Poster

The "Working Scientifically Ladder" poster is a visual tool designed to guide students through the key stages of planning scientific investigations. At the initial rung of the ladder, students demonstrate their understanding of variables within experiments. This foundational knowledge is crucial as it sets the stage for identifying and controlling different aspects of an investigation to ensure reliable results.

Moving up the ladder, students acknowledge the importance of safety by recognising the potential risks associated with conducting experiments. This awareness is followed by the ability to articulate a clear method, detailing the step-by-step procedures of the experimental process. The ladder further encourages students to pinpoint the specific equipment necessary for their investigations, ensuring they are well-prepared and organised. As they advance, students are expected to formulate questions based on the variables they've identified, which helps in focusing their inquiry and understanding the purpose of their experiment. Lastly, the pinnacle of the ladder is reached when students can make informed predictions about the outcomes of their investigations and provide explanations for their conjectures, demonstrating a deeper level of scientific thinking and reasoning.