Planning science investigations: primary students

This research explored evidence of student procedural understanding in planning science investigations. The study involved 86 Year 3-6 (age 8-11) students in the planning of eight fair test type investigations. The students' responses were assessed using the Diet Cola Test (DCT) criteria. Seven of the DCT criteria were used to analyse students' skills in planning. Analysis indicates that students, across all age groups, are lacking the understanding involved in planning investigations in six of the seven DCT criteria. Teacher implications and suggestions are given to help plan for the development of understanding in planning science investigations.