What do you think this is a picture of? Is it an eye, under the sea, or up in the air? If you were the scientist, what equipment would you have used to see this?

Story Starters

"Wow!" I gasped, as I looked into the microscope and saw the contents of this cell. It was taken from a rock sample, which had been sent back to the laboratory by my team of scientist colleagues, following their expedition to….

I was so excited by this journey. The first flight in an air balloon, soaring high above the earth, was something I had always dreamed of. As the balloon climbed above the clouds everything on the ground became smaller and smaller. As I watched in wonder I began to draw, sketching frantically the incredible view before me. You can see from my picture that I saw …………

 

If you were the scientist who produced these images, what discovery or discoveries are you showing here? Where were you when you discovered this? Was this something on earth or is it in space?

Story Starter

I am a scientist living in the 23rd century and these are some of the images I saw when using my new state-of-the-art telescope. As I gazed out into space, I was amazed to find some previously undiscovered planets, that are over 30 light years away! As you may see from the images I captured, these planets are particularly interesting, because…

What is this equipment intended to be used for?  If you were the scientist who made it, when did you design it and why?  What do you plan to do next?

Story Starter

My name is Robert Boyle. The year is 1669 and this drawing shows a piece of equipment I have invented called an air pump. Through using the air pump, I have conducted many investigations, which have enabled me to learn more about the properties of air and its role in our lives. I will tell you more about these discoveries in a moment, but first of all, I must tell you how the pump works…

What does this equipment do? If you were the scientist, what was the big discovery you made using it? Were you on your own or with lots of people when you made the discovery?

Story Starter

My name is Robert Boyle. I am sure you will have heard of me as I am a famous scientist. My workshop is full of the most strange and wonderful pieces of equipment you will ever see. My creations led to much machinery being developed in the industrial revolution. Let me describe to you the instruments you can see and the incredible invention I came up with……

What is this animal and what country is it from? Is it friendly or dangerous? If you were the scientist, what did you do after you discovered it?

Story Starter

As I clambered through the undergrowth I could hear the rustling of a large animal. I was fearful but thrilled at the same time. The noise grew louder, sounds I had not heard before! Suddenly as I came out into the open I saw …………………….

Imagine you were the scientist who drew this image of a water spout. Did you see the water spout during a scientific expedition overseas? What does the vacuum you have drawn do? Are you concerned about the implications of your discovery or do you think it will prove very beneficial for your society? 

Story Starter

I have recently returned from an overseas expedition and this drawing illustrates a waterspout I saw during my travels. When I first saw the waterspout, I must admit that I felt frightened. It was so large that it threatened to capsize the ship I was travelling on! However, what I saw next was fascinating. Some sea debris caught up in the waterspout was being transported across the air ...

This is a drawing of what mould looks like down the microscope. Lots of people will have seen their bread turn blue and mouldy, but imagine you are the first person to ever see what mould really is! What does it look like to you? Is it beautiful or creepy? When you showed it to your friends, what was their reaction?

Story Starter

After years of study and scientific enquiry I finally found what I had been looking for. What I saw under my microscope astounded me. Who could ever have thought that it could look so ………

What is this creature? Is it real or imaginary? How is it related to the maths equations and the tree?

Story Starter

I am a scientist who was working in the early 20th century. I was trying to solve a difficult maths problem when I happened to glance out of the window and saw a very strange looking man walking along the street. I got up at once and decided to follow him. He went...

What is this object? How does it work? If you were the scientist who designed it, when did you live and who was this for?

Story Starter

This drawing shows my latest invention and I believe it is an invention that will revolutionise transport! As my drawing shows, it can be used for the transportation of both items and people! Firstly, I will tell you a little more about me and then I will tell you how my invention works…

What discovery or discoveries do these drawings show? If you were the scientist who drew them, where did you draw them? Were you on an expedition or in a laboratory? Were you working in a team of scientists or on your own?

Story Starter

As I landed in Ancient Greece I saw many wonders. After a long journey by ship I finally arrived at a land very different to my own with wondrous temples and cities. Let me describe my sketches to you and tell you the story of my discoveries………..

What do you think this is a picture of, and how is it related to hyenas? Where did the hyena live?

Story Starter

Having studied hyenas for many years as part of my scientific research, I began to wonder whether spotted hyenas and striped hyenas saw colour and landscape in different ways. I decided to investigate this further, and started by looking at the structure of the hyena's eyes. In order to do this experiment I…

What is this and how does it work? If you were the scientist who designed and built it, what did you do with it next? Who did you show it to?

Story Starter

The year is 2023 and this drawing shows my design for a labour-saving, eco-friendly rowing boat. The boat is able to row itself, by gliding through the water using a pair of underwater 'wings' and a series of pulleys, which are powered by a solar-panelled dome attached to the boat's deck. I decided to design this boat, because…

If you were the scientist who painted these images, what is it you were investigating? Are these images all related to each other in some way? Who will you share your discovery with? What do you think their reaction will be?

Story Starter

I was helping my dad clear out my grandfather's attic one day when I came across a dusty red box full of strange looking paintings. The next day, I went to visit my grandpa - a scientist called William Spottiswoode - in the nursing home and took the pictures with me, so he could tell me all about them. "One day when I was in my laboratory....

Do you think this was the skeleton of a real person? Why did a scientist draw a picture like this - what had he or she discovered? Why is the skeleton holding a skull?

Story Starter

I am Versalius, a leading scientist of the human anatomy. My beautiful sketches of a human skeleton amaze those who study them. I have discovered what the human body is made up of, how it moves and how it functions. Let me explain to you what I have discovered…..

What is this a picture of? Is it natural or artificial? If you were the scientist, is this something you discovered, or something you made?

Story Starter

I was walking along the beach outside my home one day when I stumbled across the most perfect spiral shell. I was intrigued about how it was made and what sort of creature or possibly creatures lived inside it. I carefully opened it up using a sharp knife and discovered that...