Real Investigations in Elementary School

When we think about science in elementary classrooms, it’s easy to picture neat experiments with tidy results. For many teachers, anything they do with their students should be a plug and play situation—get a resource or curriculum and follow it step by step. But real science—the kind that sparks curiosity and builds understanding—is anything but tidy. Inspired by the principles of Ambitious Science Teaching, true investigations are living processes: they begin with curiosity, wander through trial and error, and end with students constructing explanations in creative, authentic ways. Of course, this means taking the time to do it, which is rarely available, but it also means being okay with a little less control.

However, there are some steps you can take to make it happen.

Start With a Question That Matters

The best investigations begin with questions about phenomena that are close to students’ lives. Instead of handing them a prewritten prompt, invite students to wonder about something related to the standard you plan to cover. If you're teaching about matter, maybe ask, "Why do bubbles pop?" If you're thinking about astronomy, maybe, "Why does the moon look different each night?" Force and motion, "Which toy car goes the fastest?" These questions, especially when generated by students themselves, are the fuel for deeper learning.

Make a Fair Test—But Keep It Open

From there, the class develops a plan together. What will we test? What will we keep the same? The goal is fairness, but also flexibility. Maybe your students fly paper airplanes and measure distance, or plant seeds in different conditions to test sunlight and water. Fair testing ensures students can trust their results, but remember that one round of testing is never the end. A great investigation often leads to new questions, more data, and repeat trials. Mistakes and retries aren’t setbacks, they are the heart of the process.

Gather More Than Data

Students don’t just test and stop. They expand their investigation by gathering more information through books, videos, online research, and conversations. This step widens their perspective, showing that science is not just what we discover but what humanity has learned over time.

Multiple Paths to Explanation

Science explanations aren’t just written reports. Students can create diagrams, build models, act out processes through dramatic play, or record videos. These varied forms of sensemaking give students ownership of their learning and invite them to communicate their ideas in ways that feel natural and powerful.

Teachers: Embrace the Mess

For teachers, the biggest shift is embracing the messiness. Investigations don’t fit neatly into one class period or a boxed curriculum. They take time, flexibility, and a willingness to share control. Start with your science standards as anchors, then co-create the rest of the inquiry with your students. This approach fosters true engagement and helps students see themselves as capable scientists.

Vocabulary Follows Understanding

It’s tempting to lead with the science terms. But vocabulary should not overshadow meaning. Encourage students to use their own words first. Once they have real experiences and authentic ideas, the scientific terms will stick more deeply.

Elementary investigations should feel alive—rooted in wonder, grounded in evidence, and open to the unexpected. They should empower students not only to “do science” but to be scientists.

If you’re looking for ready-to-use materials that guide students through this process while keeping the joy of inquiry front and center, I’ve created a Science Investigations Resource Pack available now on Teachers Pay Teachers. It includes hands-on activities, investigation passports, vocabulary cards, and more to help you bring ambitious investigations to life in your classroom2nd Grade Science Investigations.