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.