Intellectual and practical skills are developed through designing, analysing and performing scientific investigations. Although the scientific method involves a wide variety of approaches, the MYP emphasizes experimental work and scientific inquiry.
The skills involved in a scientific investigation are assessed within criterion B. Inquiring and designing and criterion C. Processing and evaluating.
Describe - Give a detailed account or picture of a situation, event, pattern or process
Design - Produce a plan, simulation or model
Discuss - Offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of arguments, factors or hypotheses. Opinions or conclusions should be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence
Explain - Give a detailed account including reasons or causes
Evaluate - Assess the implications and limitations; to make judgments about the ideas, works, solutions or methods in relation to selected criteria
Formulate - Express precisely and systematically the relevant concept(s) or argument(s)
Interpret- Use knowledge and understanding to recognize trends and draw conclusions from given information
Outline - Give a brief account
Present - Offer for display, observation, examination or consideration
State - Give a specific name, value or other brief answer without explanation or calculation
Independent variable (IV) - The variable that is manipulated to determine the value of a dependent variable.
Dependent variable (DV) - The variable that is being measured in an experiment
Controlled variables (CV) - The variables which are controlled during the experiment to keep a fair test