Science is a way of answering questions about the world around us and ourselves.
In Science, we:
- Ask questions which can be tested
- Design experiments to answer the questions
Science questions may be huge:
How many stars are there in the universe?
or small:
What bugs are eating my cabbages?
They may be very open questions:
How many insects visit my garden?
or closed questions, with only one answer:
Does a mixture of iron, copper and zinc still act like a magnet?
Many Science questions need answers which have conditions:
What temperature does water boil at?
Water boils at 100 degrees if I am at sea level.
Science experiments involve:
- Testing ideas
- Observing carefully
- Recording accurately
- Comparing our results with others
- Comparing our results with a control, where nothing has been changed.
Surveys and Collections
As well as experimenting, science involves surveys and collections. Surveys involve careful lists. Collections can involve actual items or photographs.
Surveys and collections help scientists to answer questions, such as:
- How does this species vary from place to place?
- What species have become extinct?
- How do the stars and planets behave?

The Biggest Science Experiment is proud to be part of National Science Week 2020