Making scientific predictions
A good prediction is not a guess — it is a claim backed by science, and it says exactly what you expect to happen and why.
Part of your national curriculum
- Working scientifically: Make predictions using scientific knowledge and understanding
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Make predictions using scientific knowledge and understanding
Key learning points
- • Prediction versus guess
- • Using patterns you already know
- • Testing predictions
This lesson at a glance
- 22 minutes
- 17 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 17
Watch first
Making scientific predictions
A prediction is a test waiting to happen.
In a nutshell
Make predictions using scientific knowledge and understanding
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 17
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Prediction versus guess
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 17
Learn
Prediction versus guess
A prediction uses existing scientific knowledge to state what should happen in an investigation, and gives a reason. 'The ball will bounce lower on carpet than on tile because carpet absorbs more energy' is a prediction. 'The ball might bounce' is just a guess.
Reset break
Part 4 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 17
Learn
Using patterns you already know
If you know that increasing temperature increases the rate of a reaction, you can predict that heating a fizzy tablet in water will make it dissolve faster than in cold water — and you can predict roughly how much faster from the pattern of previous data.
Quick check
Part 6 of 17
Quick check
Part 7 of 17
Reset break
Part 8 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 17
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Testing predictions
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 17
Learn
Testing predictions
A prediction is only useful if it can be tested by an investigation with a fair, controlled method. If the results agree, the underlying science is supported; if not, the prediction — or the science behind it — needs re-examining.
Quick check
Part 11 of 17
Reset break
Part 12 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 13 of 17
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 14 of 17
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
A prediction uses existing ____ knowledge to state what should happen in an investigation, and gives a reason.
'The ball will bounce lower on carpet than on tile because carpet absorbs more energy' is a ____.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 17
Game · Recall cards
Which of these is a scientific prediction?
Card 1 of 3
Mastery quiz
Part 16 of 17
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Making scientific predictions
3 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. Which of these is a scientific prediction?
2. Why must a prediction be based on scientific knowledge?
3. What should you do if results do not match your prediction?
Lesson round-up
Part 17 of 17
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
Quiz score
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Luna: 0 out of 3 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?
Ask LunaPart 1 of 17 · Watch & discover
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Make predictions using scientific knowledge and understanding