The Scientific Method

Every science experiment begins with a That’s Step ONE !

The ? and the steps that follow are the Scientific Method

Can you think of some questions? What? When? How? Where? Why? How? How many?

Step 2 Collect Information Do background research and reading on your question. Investigate information related to your question. Ask yourself if you can really answer your question? Is your question “testable?”

Step 3 Form a Hypothesis “If…………………, then……………………..” “If I study hard, I will do well on the test!” “If I don’t do my homework, I’ll miss Fun Friday!”

Step 4 Design and perform the experiment. Your experiment should be able to prove your hypothesis either right or wrong. And, hey, in this case, there is no wrong! answer!

Step 5 Record and Analyze your Data Write down (record) your experiment results Take photos Draw pictures Repeat your experiment 3 times!

Step 6 Make a conclusion “My hypothesis was proven ______.” Back up your conclusion with evidence (data from your experiment). Share your findings! Don’t forget to cite your sources!

Step 7 Ask new questions! What did you learn? Do you now have new questions? Do you now have more “what if…” questions?

Manipulating Variable or Independent Variable The variable that you change during the experiment. Hey Jack, who’s manipulating us?

Responding Variable Or Dependent Variable The variable that changes because you are doing the experiment. Plant given water Response = healthy Plant not given water Response = dead

The Control Anything that stays the same throughout the experiment There may be several controls.