Lesson overview

GROW · Science · Week 13A · Explore

Rover Rescue: Plan a Fair Test

Sequence outcome: Consolidate and revisit key ideas through investigation.

🎯 Learning objective: I can plan a fair investigation of how surface type affects a rover's travel distance.

✅ Success criteria

I can name surface type as the independent variable and compare smooth with fabric.
I can measure travel distance and keep other variables controlled.
I can plan three repeats for each condition and state a safe method.

Arrival · retrieve last lessonStarter · create the need to knowI Do · picture firstWe Do · everyone commitsI Do 2 · connect the second ideaWe Do 2 · interactive labIndependent · evidence of learningExit ticket · response becomes the next step

🧪 Rover Rescue: plan a fair comparison before the first run.⏱ 40 minutes🔁 Live Lundy loop↺ Retry without penalty

🛡 SPACE

🗣 VOICE

👂 AUDIENCE

⚙ INFLUENCE

SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting

⏱ 4 min

🚪 Arrival · retrieve last lesson

Retrieve only what has already been taught

Lessons 9–10: a conclusion needs relevant repeated evidence.
Lessons 7–8: decide the measure before claiming success.
W5: a fair test changes one variable at a time.
W4: mechanisms and friction change how objects move.

New to this class, absent, or not sure? Everything needed is in the retrieval box above. Read it, point to it or ask a familiar adult to read it exactly.

◆ Supported

Point to the variable we will change.
Point to the distance we will measure.
Choose one item that must stay the same.
Complete: We repeat each condition ___ times.

▲ Standard

Name the independent variable in a surface test.
Name the dependent variable and its unit.
List two variables to control.
Explain why each condition needs repeats.

★ Stretch

Explain why surface type is the independent variable in this test.
Explain why ramp height must stay fixed to make the surface comparison clear.
Predict one source of random variation.
Name one limit of using a classroom rover as a real rover model.

Equivalent response routes

☝ point / choose🗣 say / sign🧩 demonstrate⌨ type / exact scribe↺ re-attempt

🔊 Read-aloud route: a familiar adult may read the task exactly while the text remains visible. No device voice or media permission is required.

🛡 SPACE

🗣 VOICE

👂 AUDIENCE

⚙ INFLUENCE

SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting

⏱ 4 min

🌱 Starter · create the need to know

Which plan lets us find out whether surface type affects rover travel distance?

LOCAL VISUAL HOOK · FRAME 1

CHANGE · one independent variable

Only the surface changes.

LOCAL VISUAL HOOK · FRAME 2

MEASURE · distance in centimetres

Same line, same end of the rover, same unit.

LOCAL VISUAL HOOK · FRAME 3

KEEP · controls and repeat

Three repeats per surface. A six-row table before you start.

Commit one first idea. Predictions are held, not marked. Pointing, selecting, saying or signing all count.

Choose one idea. The lesson will test it; nothing is scored or saved.

🛡 SPACE

🗣 VOICE

👂 AUDIENCE

⚙ INFLUENCE

SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting

⏱ 5 min

👩‍🏫 I Do · picture first

Make the first scientific idea visible

INDEPENDENT VARIABLEwhat I changethe one factor deliberately changed in a fair test

DEPENDENT VARIABLEwhat I measurethe result measured after the change

CONTROL VARIABLEwhat I keep the samea factor kept the same so the comparison is fair

WHAT THIS MODEL HELPS US SEE

The change–measure–keep board makes variable roles visible before equipment is touched.

WHAT THIS MODEL DOES NOT SHOW

The classroom rover, surfaces and short ramp simplify a real planetary rover. The model can compare friction here, not copy every real condition.

Step 1

Choose one question: How does surface type affect rover travel distance? Conditions: smooth and fabric.

Step 2

Measure the distance from the same finish line to the rover's front in centimetres.

Step 3

Keep the rover, low ramp height, start point and no-push release the same; plan three repeats per condition.

Word help keeps the scientific term visible and adds a plain-language bridge.

🛡 SPACE

🗣 VOICE

👂 AUDIENCE

⚙ INFLUENCE

SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting

⏱ 5 min

🤝 We Do · everyone commits

Which is the fairest rover test question?

Everyone commits before explanation.

Use a button, point, say/sign or let an adult operate the chosen button. A retry is information, not a penalty.

Choose one response, then use the model to explain or retry.

🛡 SPACE

🗣 VOICE

👂 AUDIENCE

⚙ INFLUENCE

SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting

⏱ 4 min

👩‍🏫 I Do 2 · connect the second idea

Connect the model to the second idea

Connection: the model is useful when its visible pattern is translated into a scientific explanation.

Connection 1

Safety first: use a stable low ramp in a clear tray or lane. Release without pushing and keep hands out of the travel path.

Connection 2

Create a six-row table before testing: two conditions with three blank repeat rows each.

Connection 3

Make a prediction with a reason, but record what happens rather than changing results to fit it.

MODEL STRENGTH

The change–measure–keep board makes variable roles visible before equipment is touched.

MODEL LIMIT

The classroom rover, surfaces and short ramp simplify a real planetary rover. The model can compare friction here, not copy every real condition.

🛡 SPACE

🗣 VOICE

👂 AUDIENCE

⚙ INFLUENCE

SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting

⏱ 4 min

🤝 We Do 2 · interactive lab

Fair-Test Control Board

Place each method card under Change, Measure or Keep the same. Reject any plan that changes two variables.

Choose one questionName two conditionsSet measure and controlsPlan three repeats

Cards to place

Matching groups

Surface type is the independent variable: compare smooth with fabric while ramp height and release stay controlled.

🧩 Science glitch · find and repair it

Claim: For a clearer result, change the surface and ramp height together.

The incorrect idea is shown as a challenge, never as teaching.

🛡 SPACE

🗣 VOICE

👂 AUDIENCE

⚙ INFLUENCE

SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting

⏱ 10 min

✏️ Independent · evidence of learning

Produce a safe fair-test plan comparing smooth and fabric surfaces, with three repeats per condition.

👐 Physical route

Planning mat; low ramp; trolley or rover; smooth and fabric surfaces; metre rule or tape; start and finish markers.

Same outcome: I can plan a fair investigation of how surface type affects a rover's travel distance.

🖥 Offline digital / director route

Use the same two-condition plan and six blank result rows with a local rover representation; no results are saved.

Same evidence: Question, prediction, variable table, safe numbered method, two conditions, six result spaces and one model limitation.

🧰 Equipment / setupPlanning mat; low ramp; trolley or rover; smooth and fabric surfaces; metre rule or tape; start and finish markers.

🛡 Safety / sensoryTeacher checks a stable low ramp and clear lane. Do not push the rover, chase it or place hands in its path.

🖥 Offline parityUse the same two-condition plan and six blank result rows with a local rover representation; no results are saved.

No-equipment/access route: Plan with cards only or direct an adult to place every method card. No equipment handling is required.

◆ Supported

Use the prepared surface question and complete Change, Measure, Keep and Repeat with icon-backed cards.

Scaffold

Adult places equipment only as directed; a six-row table and unit are supplied.

▲ Standard

Write a fair question, prediction, variable table and numbered method for two conditions with three repeats.

Scaffold

Use the check: one change, one measured outcome, same release and safe low ramp.

★ Stretch

Justify the controls, predict random variation and explain one limitation of transfer to a real rover.

Scaffold

Optionally suggest a sensible condition order without changing the safety rule.

Evidence gate

1 · Pupil decisionPrediction, question, method or choice is visible.

2 · Observable evidenceA result, source note, model state or adult observation is preserved.

3 · Pupil meaningQuestion, prediction, variable table, safe numbered method, two conditions, six result spaces and one model limitation.

🛡 SPACE

🗣 VOICE

👂 AUDIENCE

⚙ INFLUENCE

SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting

⏱ 4 min

🎫 Exit ticket · response becomes the next step

Finish with evidence, a genuine Audience and one next step

Supported

What one thing will you change in your rover test?

Standard

Name the dependent variable and two controls.

Stretch

Explain why three repeats and one-at-a-time change make the conclusion stronger.

Adult Audience

The familiar adult genuinely receives the pupil response, then says back the Science they heard or saw. The adult does not add a score or rewrite the pupil.

SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting

Receive the pupil’s Voice, complete real Audience, then choose what changes.

What I said, and what it changed:Next I will ______.One next step chosen after the adult listened.

Session state is temporary. Reload clears responses; there is no account, upload or saved pupil identity.

← Previous · W12B · Answer Lab: Say It, Support It, Improve It ⌂ Start Next · W13B · Rover Evidence Lab →

🛡 SPACE

🗣 VOICE

👂 AUDIENCE

⚙ INFLUENCE

SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting

Rover Rescue: Plan a Fair Test

Which plan lets us find out whether surface type affects rover travel distance?

Make the first scientific idea visible

WHAT THIS MODEL HELPS US SEE

WHAT THIS MODEL DOES NOT SHOW

🧪 Rover plan · CHANGE, MEASURE, KEEP

Which is the fairest rover test question?

Connect the model to the second idea

MODEL STRENGTH

MODEL LIMIT

Fair-Test Control Board

Cards to place

Matching groups

🧩 Science glitch · find and repair it

Produce a safe fair-test plan comparing smooth and fabric surfaces, with three repeats per condition.

👐 Physical route

🖥 Offline digital / director route

◆ Supported

▲ Standard

★ Stretch

Evidence gate

Finish with evidence, a genuine Audience and one next step

Adult Audience

GROW Science · W13A · Rover Rescue: Plan a Fair Test

Model helps us see

Model does not show

Supported

Standard

Stretch

Evidence target

Exit, Audience and evidence · W13A

What I said, and what it changed

Next I will ______.

Influence — visible teaching change

Adult witness note