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 4Design 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 5Record 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 VariableThe 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.