The Scientific Method

What is the Scientific Method? Why do scientists use its steps? How do we use the steps in everyday life?

Essential Question

What is the scientific method?

Targets

At the end of this year you should be able to answer the following questions 

1. What are the steps of the scientific method?

2. How do I investigate using the scientific method?

The Scientific Method

Science is a process. It is a way of finding out information and organizing it so that you can use it in the future. You can follow steps to solve problems to which you do not know the answer.  

• Step 1:  Ask a good question about the problem you want to solve. For example, will raisins sink or float in pop?


• Step 2: A hypothesis is an explanation for events that can be tested.  Or, it is an educated guess as to what the answer to the question might be. Raisins will sink in liquid because they are dense (or heavier) than a liquid.
  
  
• Step 3: An experiment should test your hypothesis. An ordered investigation should prove or disprove the hypothesis.  For example, I am going to drop my raisins into my glass of pop.


• Step 4: Record observations.  For example, observe what happens in your glass.
  
  Watch the video
  for how to make good observations by noticing details.


• Step 5: Interpret your results. Do the results support your hypothesis?  
  
  
  
• Draw conclusions. Was the hypothesis supported or disproved by the results you found?  Likely, your theory was disproved. Carbon dioxide gas sticks to the rough surfaces of the raisin. The gas lifts the raisin to the surface. Some of the bubbles pop at the surface and leave the raisin. Then, it sinks until other bubbles move in to take their place and then the raisin floats once again.  You will learn more about carbon dioxide gas in this unit.

View this video