1. AKA: Scientific Inquiry
The Scientific Method
AKA: Scientific Inquiry

2. What is the scientific method?
The scientific method is a series of steps to solve a problem or question
You might hear this referred to as scientific inquiry.
You and other scientists use the scientific method every day to answer a question or solve a problem.

3. Step 1: Make an Observation
An observation is when you use your senses to view the natural world.
Example: Students observed that some frogs in their area had deformities.

4. After you make observations, you become curious.
Step 2: Ask a Question
After you make observations, you become curious.
A question will be based off of your observations and curiosity.
Example: “Could pollution be causing the frog deformities?”

5. Step 3: Write a Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a possible answer to your question.
A hypothesis is written in what we call an “If/then” statement.
Example: If there is an increase in exposure to pollution, then some frog eggs will develop into deformed frogs.

6. Step 4: Perform the Experiment
An experiment is when you use specific materials and follow procedures to test your hypothesis.
This is where you make more observations and collect data!
Example: Students created 3 groups of frog eggs and exposed each group to pollution for different amounts of time. The number of deformed frogs which developed was recorded for data.

7. Experiment continued.
Control Group/Variable – A group that receives no experimental treatment/the variable that doesn’t change.
Independent variable – the one factor that is changed during an experiment.
Dependent variable – the variable that changes because of the independent variable.

8. Step 5: Interpret the data
Gather all your results/data from your experiment and create a visual graphic (chart, graph, etc.) to represent them.

9. Step 6: Make a Conclusion
A conclusion is a summary of your experiment and what you have learned from it.
Example: The pollution experiment supports the hypothesis that frog deformities can be caused by exposing the eggs to pollution.

10. Step 7: Communicate your results
Share your ideas, experiment, results, and conclusion with peers so they can learn.
You can communicate by talking, writing, presenting, etc.