Is It an Investigable Question? Let’s Sort It Out!

Help students build strong science inquiry skills by learning how to tell the difference between investigable questions and questions that can’t be investigated. This hands-on, investigative question-sorting activity provides students with ample practice analyzing scientific and non-scientific questions, discussing their thinking, and refining weak questions into ones that can be effectively tested.

Scientific vs. Non-Scientific Question Sorting Activity

This printable Scientific vs. Non-Scientific Question Sorting Activity includes 24 question cards, each featuring a question that fits into one of three categories:

• Investigable scientific questions
• Non-scientific questions
• Too big or too vague to investigate

Students will:

• Read and discuss each question
• Sort the cards onto one of three sorting mats
• Identify why certain questions don’t work for investigations
• Use the included recording sheet to rewrite non-investigable or vague questions into clear, testable scientific questions.

This activity works beautifully for partner work, small groups, science centers, or whole-class discussions. An answer key is included to support teacher guidance, discussion, or self-checking.

Download This Science Inquiry Activity Today

This Science Inquiry Activity is available in both PDF and editable Google Slides format.  To get your copy, click the dropdown arrow on the download button and choose your preferred file type.

This resource was created by Brittany Kellogg, a teacher in Ohio and Teach Starter Collaborator.

More Science Inquiry Printables and Resources

Looking for more ideas to spruce up your science lesson plans? We’ve got you covered with a wide range of Science Inquiry printables and worksheets for the classroom. Make sure you check these out before you go!

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