Complete KS3 Science Skills Program: Investigate Like a Scientist

Teach the core scientific investigation skills students need for success in secondary science with this complete Investigate Like a Scientist KS3 bundle.

This comprehensive program provides explicit instruction in the key scientific skills students use when planning, carrying out, analysing, and evaluating scientific investigations.

Rather than expecting students to develop these skills implicitly through practical work, the Scientific Skills in Action program teaches them clearly and step-by-step, helping students build confidence in thinking, reasoning, and working like scientists.

Designed for KS3 classrooms (Years 7-8), this bundle provides a structured approach to developing the Working Scientifically skills required throughout the secondary science curriculum.

The program supports students to:
• Develop scientific claims supported by evidence
• Plan and carry out controlled investigations
• Collect, organise and interpret scientific data
• Analyse patterns and draw evidence-based conclusions
• Evaluate investigations and suggest improvements

These skills can be applied across all KS3 science topics including biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, forces, energy, materials, ecosystems, and laboratory investigations.

As part of the Investigate Like a Scientist program, these classroom slides are most powerful when used with the matching posters and the experiment/investigation workbook. The posters and teaching slides provide the explicit instruction, while the workbook allows students to apply the skill sequence in a structured and professional format.

What’s Included in This Complete Bundle
This bundle includes 10 Scientific Skills Modules, each containing a full set of classroom resources designed to explicitly teach a key scientific investigation skill.

Skill 1: Making Claims and Using Evidence
Students learn how to support scientific explanations using evidence from observations, data, and investigations.

Skill 2: Interpreting Data and Graphs
Students learn how to analyse tables, charts, and graphs to identify trends and interpret scientific results.

Skill 3: Designing Fair Tests
Students learn how to design controlled experiments by changing one variable at a time.

Skill 4: Writing Aims and Hypotheses
Students learn how to write clear aims and develop testable scientific predictions.

Skill 5: Identifying Variables and Controls
Students learn how to identify independent, dependent, and controlled variables within investigations.

Skill 6: Writing a Scientific Method
Students learn how to write clear, logical step-by-step procedures for scientific experiments.

Skill 7: Collecting and Recording Data
Students learn how to make accurate observations, measure carefully, and record results effectively.

Skill 8: Analysing Results and Drawing Conclusions
Students learn how to interpret patterns in data and explain results using scientific reasoning.

Skill 9: Evaluating Fairness, Reliability and Validity
Students learn how to assess the quality of investigations and judge whether results are trustworthy.

Skill 10: Reflecting on Improvements and Limitations
Students learn how to identify weaknesses in experimental design and suggest improvements.

What Each Skill Module Includes

• Each skill module includes a complete classroom teaching package:
• Teacher Guide
• Ready-to-teach PowerPoint lesson
• Student notes (PowerPoint + printable format)
• Additional teaching resources and investigation examples

All materials are designed to be clear, structured, and ready to use immediately in the classroom.

Why Teachers Love This Program

• Ready-to-teach lessons – no additional planning required
• Ideal for busy science teachers and non-specialists
• Develops essential Working Scientifically skills for KS3
• Can be used with any science unit or topic
• Builds a structured progression of scientific investigation skills