In 2004, the European Space Agency sent a spacecraft (called Rosetta) to chase a rubber-ducky-shaped comet called Comet Churyumov-Gerasamenko/67P. In 2014, Rosetta caught up with Comet 67P and sent a lander (called Philae) down to the surface of the comet. Scientists are using the information Rosetta and Philae are sending back to figure out more about comets and other secrets of our solar system.

The focus in this issue of Connected is on the Nature of Science strand of the curriculum and the science capability: Critique evidence.

Pseudoscience is something that sounds scientific but isn’t actually based on solid evidence. Advertisments often use pseudoscience, which can be misleading. To be able to tell the difference between real science and pseudoscience, we need to think like scientists.

How much sleep should we be getting? How many people get enough sleep every night? Jeremy and Marama carry out an investigation to find out how much sleep their classmates are getting. They discover that sometimes, a good investigation can raise more questions than it answers!

Māori use kawakawa as rongoā (traditional medicine). But when scientists tested the kawakawa leaves they said there was no scientific evidence to support the plant’s medicinal properties. Chris Ryan took a closer look at the scientists’ investigations and noticed that they had not used traditional methods to prepare the kawakawa. He wondered if this might have affected their results. So Chris decided to carry out his own investigation.

Mr Tuala’s class have lost the Boat Float competition and they want to figure out why. By learning more about density (and how it relates to floating a boat), they critique their original boat designs and use what they have learned to design and build new, more successful boats.

Scientific evidence suggests that sitting for long periods of time can cause health problems and that standing and moving around is better for us. But as with any scientific evidence, we need to ask questions about the evidence to determine if it can be trusted.

The focus in this issue of Connected is on the Nature of Science strand of the curriculum and the science capability: Critique evidence.

When Tokelau decided to switch to renewable energy, they thought critically about all the options. They decided that solar energy was a cost-effective option suited to the sunny Tokelaun climate. Over four thousand solar panels were installed on Tokelau, making them the first country in the world to use 100 percent renewable energy. Now they hope to inspire others to make the switch.

Dr Melanie Cheung is a neurobiologist. She studies the roro (brain), collecting and analysing data about how it works and what can go wrong. She also studies the use of tikanga (Māori customary practices) in the modern science world.

Nancy Bertler is a scientist who studies the ice. She’s been examining Antarctic ice cores to discover what Earth’s climate was like in the past – and how it might change in the future.

Humans and animals have a powerful bond. Some people think that this bond could have a positive effect on human health and behaviour. But what does the science say? Investigate the evidence for yourself.

Who, what, where, why and how are powerful question words.

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7dh3EdCEHE

This activity encourages students to explore various aspects of complex issues. It encourages students to consider the interaction of science and diverse community views.

A low pulse rate and fast recovery time after exercise can be indicators of good physical fitness. This investigation encourages students to develop their investigative skills by thinking carefully about the quality of the data they collect.

Display this poster in your classroom to highlight the relevant phase of the 5E model by affixing the arrow with blu-tac and moving it down the poster as the students progress through the inquiry.

Display these posters in your staff room or learning areas to inform school-wide communication, collaboration, and implementation of the Primary Connections 5E teaching and learning model.

Hold it right there, buddy – it’s the “Forensics” show

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP3xuHnbXM4

It’s the “Pseudoscience” episode, and the Lab’s getting a little spooky.

Link to video: https://www.schooltube.com/media/Bill+Nye+Pseudoscience/1_ikwg7mlx

This activity encourages students to explore various aspects of complex issues. It encourages students to consider the interaction of science and diverse community views.

Bite-size classroom activities that support big science ideas relating to road safety.

A Colossal Squid, known only from the Southern Hemisphere, has joined the fish at Portobello. Please help us design a home for our newest resident.

Students working collaboratively to identify an unknown substance can build an appreciation of how scientists use diagnostic tests to confirm predictions.

In the cosmology of modern science, Earth is a tiny speck in a vast universe. Our ideas about this topic, then, could be seen as an integral part of how we view our existence on Earth.