|
|
The following links are great resources for helping you learn about the scientific method:
Learn how to apply the scientific method with Mark Rober: |
Tips for using The Scientific Method
- Use your 5 senses: Sight, Smell, Touch, Hear, Taste.
- Ask Scientific Questions:
- Start with question words like “What,” “Why,” or “How?"
- Scientific Questions sound like: "Where do owls live?" What kind of clouds bring rain? When are shadows the longest?
- Non-Scientific Questions sound like: "Can I play outside?" "Which park is by your house?" "What animal is your favorite?"
- Write like a scientist:
- Make sure you answer and write about the question you asked.
- Write down the steps you followed in your investigation.
- Include your data.
- Add charts, graphs, diagrams, or pictures.
- Words such as "First," "Next," and "Last:" help tell the order of your investigation.
- State facts and observations instead of opinions. A fact or observation can be supported by information gathered in an experiment. An opinion is a personal feeling or belief about something.
Useful Vocabulary Words
Observations: Information gathered by using your senses about the world around you.
Investigation: a way to find the right answer to a question.
Data: Information that is observed during your investigation. It can be represented in a graph, pictures, diagram, and/or charts.
Classifying: Putting things in groups.
Living: anything that is or has ever been alive (animal, flower, seed)
Non-living: anything that is not now nor has ever been alive (rock, table, slime, candy)
Hypothesis: a possible answer or educated guess to your scientific question.
Experiment: a kind of investigation that tests how changing one thing will affect another thing.
Conclusion: something that can be observed, demonstrated, and/or supported with evidence.
Evidence: a set of facts from the data gathered that supports a scientist’s answers.
Observations: Information gathered by using your senses about the world around you.
Investigation: a way to find the right answer to a question.
Data: Information that is observed during your investigation. It can be represented in a graph, pictures, diagram, and/or charts.
Classifying: Putting things in groups.
Living: anything that is or has ever been alive (animal, flower, seed)
Non-living: anything that is not now nor has ever been alive (rock, table, slime, candy)
Hypothesis: a possible answer or educated guess to your scientific question.
Experiment: a kind of investigation that tests how changing one thing will affect another thing.
Conclusion: something that can be observed, demonstrated, and/or supported with evidence.
Evidence: a set of facts from the data gathered that supports a scientist’s answers.
The worksheets below can help your student stay organized while planning and conducting their experiments.
