This document outlines the scientific method process. It begins by defining the scientific method and its purpose to prove or disprove hypotheses through experimentation and observation. It then lists the typical steps of the scientific method: 1) Ask a question, 2) Observe, 3) Form a hypothesis, 4) Experiment and collect data, 5) Interpret data, and 6) Draw a conclusion. Each step is then explained in more detail, outlining best practices and examples. The document concludes by providing homework for students to design and conduct their own experiment using the scientific method.

1. Scientific Method

2. Goals for today
Identifying the steps of Scientific Inquiry
Develop examples of each stage of the Inquiry process
Design an experiment based on Scientific Inquiry

3. Scientific Method:
What do you know?
The goal of science is to
understand our world as
it works.
How to investigate it
thoroughly?
If we ask questions we
can find the answers.
What is the right
question?
If we keep searching for
the answers, we can
eventually find them.
What method can we use
to best find ?
What we know What we want to
know
What we learned

4. Scientific Method
Definition: The
scientific method is a
process by which an
individual or group can
do research. That
research can be in any
subject. It can be done
by one individual, a
group of any size or
several groups.
Purpose: This
method is to prove a
Hypothesis. If proven, it
can become a theory
which can be used to
predict and explain
future observations and
experiments.

5. Vocabulary for this lesson
Observe Hypothesis Investigate Model
Classify Estimate Control Variable
Interpret Infer Predict Conclusion

6. Names for each of the steps for
the Scientific method may vary
but the actions remain
consistent and in order.

7. Suppose
you were
wrong?
Do it again!

8. #1 Ask a Question
• Why do I want to
know about this
object?
What is in this tigers food
supply?
What elements
are most
important for this
fungus to grow?
(water, tree it
holds onto,
sunlight, …)
What kinds of
items in my
bedroom will a
magnet stick to?
Which electronic device
is used most in my
home?

9. Begin your experiment
Collect your project
• It can be your favorite room object, pencil, animal,
picture, tool, person, idea.
• It must be portable and measurable.
Collect your tools to measure or estimate
• Ruler
• Scale
• Cup measure
• Other???
What is your question?
How am I going to
measure it?

10. #3 Hypothesis
o It has to be measurable
o It has to address one area (what it looks like,
what it does in this place or this time, …)
o It has to be in the form of an “If ….. then”
statement.
If I increase the angle, then
he can shoot further.
If the density of the material in the
bag is increased, then that will
provide the athlete to have to
deliver greater force in his kick to
cause the bag to move.
If the type of fish is gone
from the food web then the
wading birds, seagull and
larger fish may have
problems getting enough
food to survive.
What is your
question???

11. #2 Observe
Does it move?
Does it seem to be alive?
How does it interact with things around it?
How do I sense it? (taste, smell, touch, see,
hear) warm, cold, hard, soft, sweet, salty…
How do I interact with it?
How does it affect me or others?
What is
your
question?
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.
7. 8. 9.
10. 1. 12.
Facts about my object

12. #4a Investigate and Experiment
There are six parts to 4a:
1. Collect data
2. Record your
information as you get
it
3. Classify
4. Identify variables
5. Find your control
variable
6. Estimate and measure

13. Collect
Determine the several ways you can collect data
 The relationship of your subject to others in the environment
 Physical properties of the subject
D
a
t
a

14. Record information as you collect it
• Drawings
• Tables
• Questions you might have as you progress.
• Inferences that you might think of.
• Other parts of the question you might need to investigate.
2 kg 1.3 cm dark
soft 3 parts

15. Classify
Is it a liquid?
Is it a solid?
Is it living?
Is it the only
one of its
kind?
Is it an animal?
Is it a plant?
Does it move?
????????
Is it a part of
something else?

16. Identify and Control Variables
• Since you can only measure one thing,
what exactly do you want to measure?
• Which one factor is directly connected
to your question and hypothesis?
• This is your variable. It is the only
thing you are going to measure.
• The rest of them are controls (not
supposed to change)
How much
sunlight does a
plant need?
All test plants
receive the
same amount
of water
every day.
Which wood is the
strongest?
Which wood should be used for
gardens and decks?
Which type of tablet
is best for use in
eating places?
What is the
best shampoo
for Chinese
people?
Which pencils
are best for
sketching?

17. Estimate and Measure
 Some things can be measured by a scale, ruler or a
container.
 Some things can be measured in relation to another
object.
 Some things can not be measured exactly. For them you
will need to estimate.

18. Infer
Details give you clues. What possible conclusions can you draw?
If it is sunny and the plants are green, then it may be either spring or
summer season.
=
?

19. #4b Interpret Data
Make sure you have collected all of your data.
Set up your tables and slides.
Make inferences based on data related to the
hypothesis.
Predict based only on data if the hypothesis is
correct.
If it does not support the hypothesis, start again.
 Revising the hypothesis and follow your steps again.

20. P
r
e
d
i
c
t
If this happens then that may
also take place in the same
place even if you do not have
all of the data.

21. #5 Does it support or deny the
hypothesis???
Yes? What is your next question?
1. This is often one on the questions you had during the
collection of your data.
2. It could have occurred to you when you were trying to
infer or predict.
No? It is never a fail. You learned that you needed to find
another way.
Begin with:
 Did ask the right question?
 Did I miss something in the experimentation?
 Did I recorded something incorrectly?
 Do I need to check my thinking when I inferred or
predicted?

22. What have I learned?
Use vocabulary appropriately. Make the shape of your choice.
Scientific
Method

23. Homework
Activity: Complete your personal experiment by using the Scientific
Method. A study guide has been provided. Decide if your hypothesis
is correct.
Be prepared to share your experiment and results with the class
next time we meet.
Activity: Complete flash cards for each vocabulary word at the end
of the chapter.
 The front will have a picture that reminds you of what it means.
 The back will have the word and definition.
Word
Definition
(Front) (Back)

24. Study Guide for Scientific Method
1. What is your question? (focus on 1 variable)____________________________________________________
2. What is your hypothesis statement? (If … then …) _______________________________________________
3. Draw a picture.
4. Make your chart for your data.
5. Start collecting your data and recording it on your chart.
a. Measure as many ways as you can (ruler, weight, liter measure, compare to other objects, estimate, ….).
b. What do you see, hear, feel, taste, smell with your senses?
c. Does it react with anything?
d. Is it by itself or with others?
e. Is it like anything you already know about?
f. Is there anything you can infer by the data you have collected?
6. Interpret the data.
7. Can you predict anything from your data?
8. Does it support your hypothesis? (Refer to slide or page # 7)