Maths In Jobs
Be a junior scientist for a day maths challenge
An imaginative role-play challenge where children use measurement, data, fair tests and graphs like a real scientist.
Quick answer
You can be a junior scientist for a day by doing fun experiments using maths to measure, record, and understand results – just like real scientists do!Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will understand how to use maths to plan a fair test, collect data, and make simple graphs – just like a real scientist does when they do an experiment. Success signs:- You can explain what a fair test is and why it's important.
- You can measure and record your results using numbers and symbols.
- You can make a simple bar chart or picture graph to show your results.
- You can answer questions about your experiment using your data.
Why this matters
Scientists use maths all the time – not just to count things, but to make fair tests, collect data, and understand what they find. When you do science experiments, you're using maths to make sure your results are fair and clear. Whether you're growing plants, testing how far a ball rolls, or seeing which colour of paper holds more water, you're being a real scientist using maths!How it works
Scientists do experiments to find out things. To do a good experiment, they need to:- Ask a question – like “Which type of soil helps plants grow best?”
- Plan a fair test – make sure only one thing changes at a time.
- Measure and record – use numbers and drawings to keep track of what happens.
- Organise the results – put your data into a table or graph so you can see it easily.
- Answer the question – use your results to find out what you learned.
Examples you can see
Let’s imagine you're a junior scientist who wants to find out which kind of food your pet hamster likes best. Step 1: Ask a question “Which food do my hamster friends like most?” Step 2: Plan a fair test You give each hamster the same amount of each food (like 2 peas, 2 sunflower seeds, 2 pieces of apple) at the same time, in the same place, and watch how much they eat. Step 3: Measure and record You count how many pieces of each food are left after 1 hour. Then you write it down in a table.| Food | Amount eaten |
|---|---|
| Peas | 1 piece |
| Sunflower seeds | 0 pieces |
| Apple | 2 pieces |
- Peas: 1 bar
- Sunflower seeds: 0 bars
- Apple: 2 bars
Try it as a mini adventure
Adventure: The Great Plant Race You are a junior scientist who wants to find out which kind of plant grows fastest. Here’s your mission: 1st time: Choose 3 plants (like bean sprouts, grass, and cress) and plant them in pots with the same soil. 2nd time: Water them all the same amount every day. 3rd time: Measure how tall each plant is every day for a week. 4th time: Draw a line graph showing how tall each plant grew. 5th time: Write down which plant grew the most. 6th time: Share your results with a grown-up. 7th time: Try again with a new type of plant and compare!Common mistakes
- Mistake: Not keeping everything the same in a fair test. Why it happens: It’s easy to forget to water all plants the same way or use the same size pots. Fix: Make a list of everything you must keep the same.
- Mistake: Mixing up what was eaten and what was left. Why it happens: When you're counting, it's easy to get confused. Fix: Always count the leftover food and subtract from the total to find what was eaten.
- Mistake: Making a graph that doesn’t match the data. Why it happens: Drawing bars that are too tall or too short. Fix: Count the numbers carefully and make sure your graph matches your table.
Parent and carer guide
As a parent or carer, you can help your child by:- Asking questions like, “What do you think will happen?” or “Why did that happen?”
- Helping them keep a fair test by checking that only one thing changes at a time.
- Using a chart or table together to record results.
- Encouraging them to draw or make a graph to show their data.
- Letting them lead the experiment and explain their findings.
Practice questions
- What is a fair test?
- Why do scientists use graphs?
- You gave 5 birds 3 seeds each. If 2 seeds were left over, how many were eaten?
- You measured a plant every day for a week. How would you show this on a graph?
- What is one thing you must keep the same in a fair test?
- A fair test is an experiment where only one thing changes at a time.
- Scientists use graphs to show data clearly and make it easier to understand.
- 5 birds x 3 seeds = 15 seeds. 15 – 2 = 13 seeds eaten.
- You would make a line graph to show how the plant grew each day.
- One example is water amount, light, or soil type.
FAQ
What is the difference between a scientist and a junior scientist?
There isn’t much difference – junior scientists are just like real scientists, but they are children doing experiments too!
Can I do science experiments at home?
Yes! You can do experiments like testing how fast different liquids flow or how far a toy car rolls. Just make sure to ask a grown-up for help if needed.
How do I make a graph?
You can make a bar chart or a picture graph. Draw bars or pictures to show your data, and label them clearly.
Do I need special tools to be a junior scientist?
No! You can use everyday things like rulers, measuring cups, and paper to do science experiments.
Can I do more than one experiment?
Yes! You can do many experiments and compare your results. That’s how scientists learn even more!