THE PLACE OF INVESTIGATIONS IN PRACTICAL WORK IN THE UK NATIONAL CURRICULUM FOR SCIENCE

The introduction of the National Curriculum in the UK has meant that t eachers are having to lake a closer look at practical work, particular ly in view of the priority apportioned to scientific investigations. C onsequently there is a need to clarify the principal learning outcomes of different types of practical work. In order to do this, the aims o f the science curriculum as a whole are considered in terms of concept ual and procedural understanding and, in particular, with the key issu e of understanding 'concepts of evidence'. The role of different types of practical work is then considered in the light of the overall aims of the science curriculum. Investigations emerge as a way of providin g pupils with the opportunity to achieve an understanding of the conce pts of evidence and hence a thorough grasp of procedural understanding whilst at the same time allowing pupils to use and develop their conc eptual understanding.