Effective scientists display the following characteristics:

• The ability to think independently and raise questions about working scientifically and the knowledge and skills it brings.
• Noticing and creating enquiries around instances which may seem normal or every day to others.
• Confidence and competence in the full range of practical skills, taking the initiative in, for example, planning and carrying out scientific investigations.
• Excellent scientific knowledge and understanding which is demonstrated in written and verbal explanations, solving challenging problems and reporting scientific findings.
• High levels of originality, imagination or innovation in the application of skills.
• The ability to undertake practical work in a variety of context, including fieldwork.
• A passion for science and its application in past, present and future technologies.
• Resilience, determination and adaptability to understand and prove new discoveries, even when others doubt.

In order to help the children develop themselves as scientists, we have created these progression documents.