The scientific method is a series of steps that scientists use to systematically test hypotheses and explain phenomena. It involves asking a question, researching existing knowledge, developing a hypothesis, designing an experiment with a procedure, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing a conclusion. Tim uses the scientific method to test the hypothesis that fig plants grow best when watered once a week. He observes that the plant watered once a week looks the best after one month, allowing him to conclude that his hypothesis was correct.
1. What is the Scientific Method?
PROCEDURE
The scientific method is the _________________________scientists use to
EXPLAIN
_______________________ why things happen the way that they do.
What is Moby’s problem?
PLANT
Moby’s problem is the ________________________is dying even though
he is Watering it
________________________________________.
What observations does Tim make about Moby’s plant?
Leaves brown and falling off
__________________________
The soil is wet and swishy
___________________________
2. What is Tim’s hypothesis?
WATER ONCE
Fig plants do best if you only _______________ then ______________ a
week.
What are Tim’s results?
List what Tim observes after one month.
DOES NOT LOOK GOOD
Plant A ______________________________
DOES NOT LOOK GOOD
Plant B _______________________________
LOOKS a LITTLE BETTER
Plant C _______________________________
LOOKS GOOD
Plant D _______________________________
What is Tim’s conclusion?
WATERED ONCE a WEEK
Fig plants grow best when _____________________________.
4. SCIENTIFIC METHOD
All scientists have burning
questions about the world
around them. To answer these
questions they follow a
structure called the scientific
method.
5. WHAT IS THE SCIENTIFIC
METHOD??
The scientific
method is a
series of steps
that allows
scientists to
tests their
questions in an
organized way.
7. STPE #1: ASK A QUESTION
What do you want to explore?
Ask a question about it.
• Choose something that is
testable.
• Choose something that can
be answered with a
experiment.
8. STEP #2: RESEARCH YOUR
PROBLEM
What is already known about
your topic?
Look in books and on the
internet.
Define key words.
9. STEP #3: DEVELOP YOUR
HYPOTHESIS
What do you think the answer
to your question or problem
will be?
• A hypothesis is an educated
guess based on knowledge
or observation
• You must be able to
experimentally test your
hypothesis.
11. STEP #4: WRITE YOUR
PROCEDURE
• Write the steps for how you will
test your hypothesis.
• List the materials you will need,
including exact amounts of each
item.
• List each thing you will do.
Number each step in order. Write
down everything you will do.
• Your procedure must be so detailed
that another scientist could follow
it.
12. STEP #5: TEST YOUR HYPOTHESIS
• Get your materials, follow
your procedure, and make
observations.
• While taking data, you
should record qualitative
and quantitative
observations.
13. STEP #6: ORGANIZE YOUR DATA
• Record as much data as
possible.
• Use your data to make
graphs, charts, or tables.
14. STEP #7: STATE YOUR
CONCLUSION
What happened? Was it what you
expected? Why or why not?
In the conclusion, scientists answer
the question that the experiment
asked.
Look at your results and decide what
it tells you about your hypothesis.
Summarize your data.