Support early learners in exploring the natural world with our Earth & Space Sciences: Foundation to Year 2 Investigations! This engaging, curriculum-aligned resource includes five simple yet meaningful science investigations designed for young learners. With hands-on tasks, easy-to-source materials and clear procedures, these activities help students make real-world connections while building confidence in scientific thinking.   Each one-page investigation begins with an age-appropriate inquiry question, followed by a short materials list and an easy-to-follow procedure. Students are encouraged to make predictions, observe what happens, and talk about what they notice. The format is ideal for guided science lessons, small group experiments or whole-class exploration. It’s science made simple, purposeful and fun!   Earth & Space Sciences: Foundation to Year 2 Investigations includes the following explorations:

1. How does temperature affect plants?
2. Can a weather forecast help us to plan activities?
3. How does the Sun affect shadows?
4. Can a rainbow form without light?
5. Does the Moon always look the same?

  Each activity supports key outcomes from the Australian Curriculum (V9) for Foundation to Year 2 and helps develop early science inquiry skills like asking questions, predicting, observing and reflecting. Whether you're introducing a new topic or revisiting key ideas, these investigations offer the perfect starting point for interactive, hands-on learning in the junior primary classroom.  

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Explore Earth and Space science concepts through age-appropriate investigations
• ✅ Make predictions and observations about natural phenomena
• ✅ Ask questions and reflect on scientific outcomes
• ✅ Develop an understanding of weather, sunlight, temperature and lunar changes
• ✅ Engage in scientific thinking through hands-on learning and discovery

 

What’s Included:

• 5 one-page investigations for Foundation to Year 2 science
• Each includes an inquiry question, equipment list, simple procedure and follow-up ideas
• Designed to align with the Australian Curriculum V9 outcomes
• Printable, flexible format for whole-class, small group or independent use

 

Materials Needed:

• Common items such as plants, thermometers, torches, plastic cups, mirrors or paper
• Access to natural light (e.g. sunlight or window space)
• Science journals, clipboards or recording sheets for observations

 

How to Use:

1. Introduce each investigation with a simple discussion around the inquiry question.
2. Model how to make a prediction and gather materials as a class.
3. Guide students through the procedure while encouraging them to talk about what they see.
4. Record student observations using pictures, labels or oral reflections.
5. Use the follow-up ideas to spark further investigation or creative thinking.

 

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use during your Earth & Space science unit for weekly hands-on lessons
• 💡 Set up as part of a science rotation with small groups completing each task over time
• 💡 Use one investigation to anchor a cross-curricular week focused on weather or space
• 💡 Include in your science learning centre for independent or paired exploration
• 💡 Link to literacy by having students write or draw their predictions and results

 

Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Encourage students to describe their thinking using simple sentence stems like “I noticed…” or “I think…”
• 💛 Use the same observation language repeatedly across all five investigations to build science communication habits
• 💛 Allow plenty of time for discussion – the richest learning often comes from comparing ideas and noticing differences
• 💛 Extend the investigations by creating a class weather journal or Moon phase chart
• 💛 Invite students to take photos or draw what they observe and create a class science scrapbook of their discoveries

  Earth & Space Sciences: Foundation to Year 2 Investigations makes early science exploration hands-on, accessible and full of wonder – turning curiosity into meaningful classroom discovery!