Scientific Method
Background Information & Activities

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In this movie, children will learn about the scientific method, which are the steps scientists follow to investigate and answer questions about the world. It is important for children to understand that the scientific method can also help them organize and plan their own ideas, and to draw conclusions about the world around them. Children will learn how to ask a question, make a hypothesis, plan and carry out an experiment, observe and record data, draw conclusions, and share results with others. While the scientific method provides a standardized way for scientists to conduct their work, many scientists work according to other methodologies as well.

Remind children that the first step of the scientific method is to ask a question. Scientists look at the world around them and pose questions. The second step is to form a hypothesis, or a prediction. Remind children that when you hypothesize, you use what you know to make an educated guess as to the outcome of your experiment. These predictions draw from prior knowledge and experiences and children should connect and apply what they have learned.

After making a hypothesis, the next step is to plan an experiment. This entails writing down steps for an experiment that will answer the question. Remind students that good plans have short and clear steps that they will be able to follow. The plan should also include any materials that will be used in the experiment, including safety gear.

After scientists have gathered all the materials needed for the experiment, the next step is to do it! Remind students to pay careful attention to the experiment plan and follow it closely. As they conduct the experiment, scientists record data. Data is information gathered during the experiment. This can include observations and measurements. You may want to screen the Tally Charts and Bar Graphs movie or the Pictographs movie to review data gathering and recording with children. Recording data is an important part of the scientific method because it helps scientists organize their ideas and observations, and to present the results in a clear manner. Charts, graphs, lists, diagrams, and even sketches are all ways to record data during experiments.

After the completion of the experiment, the next step is to analyze the data and draw a conclusion. Scientists look at the information they have gathered and observed, and make connections to come to a conclusion. These conclusions may or may not be in agreement with their predictions. Remind children that scientists make incorrect predictions all the time, and an important part of the scientific process is to understand why predictions were incorrect. Many scientists will repeat an experiment several times to see if they can replicate the results before coming to a conclusion. This ensures that they have conducted the experiment the same way each time and make sure no introduced errors or outside factors affected the experiment’s outcome.

The last step of the scientific method is to share what you have learned. Scientists share information so that others can use the findings to pose different questions and conduct different experiments. Teach children that sharing information is an important part of working together and learning about the world and how it works. Many scientists will publish their findings in journals, magazines, books, or even present at conferences. After watching this movie and completing the features, children may be ready to start their own projects! We recommend watching the Science Projects movie together to get them started.

See more lesson plans and resources: BrainPOP Educators.

Scientific Method Teacher Activities

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Science Handbook

Create a science handbook together. Review the steps of the scientific method and help students write the steps down. They may wish to give examples, illustrate their steps, or decorate their pages. Discuss rules for behaving during a science experiment and stress the importance of following directions and working together. Then have students add information and rules about science safety, such as the importance of wearing gloves, goggles, and aprons. Students can gather their pages into a binder or if possible, they can put the pages in plastic sleeves so the handbook will be waterproof and protected during science experiments. This handbook can become part of your students' science kits, and using it will help them follow the scientific method.

Science Demo

Model the scientific method by leading a science experiment using magnets. Explain that after watching the Scientific Method movie, students know that magnets can attract objects made with iron. Have students think of other questions they want to ask about magnets. For example, does cutting a magnet in half affect its capabilities? Write students’ questions on the board and choose one to investigate together. Have students write down hypotheses and together plan an experiment. Model writing a clear experiment plan, complete with easy, short steps and a list of materials needed to complete the experiment. Do the experiment together and have students record their data. Think about different ways to record data, and discuss when to use each method. Then analyze the data and draw a conclusion.

Step by Step

An important part of the scientific method is following directions. If scientists do not follow their experiment plans, the results can be inconsistent and inconclusive. Have students practice writing and following directions by writing a series of steps for their partners to follow. Directions can be for going on a computer, getting a book from the bookshelves, walking to the cafeteria, etc. Students should write down the directions in clear, easy steps. Emphasize the importance of double-checking their work before giving the directions to their partners. Remind students that they cannot give their partners hints on how to follow the directions—the list of steps should do that for them.

Scientific Method Family Activities

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Science at Home

There are plenty of opportunities to do science experiments at home. Together think of a question to ask, such as what dissolves in water, what floats or sinks, etc. Then come up with a hypothesis and an experiment plan. Have your child write the steps of the experiment and try it. Remember to record data during the experiment. Help your child come up with a conclusion and share your findings with family members.

Prediction in the Kitchen

A great way to teach science and spend time with your child is to cook with your child. Together, follow a recipe and stress the importance of following directions. Note the importance of checking ahead to make sure you have all the ingredients and equipment required, of having the proper safety tools (for example, oven mitts, etc.), and of making sure you have the time to complete the cooking project. What might happen if you skipped a step in the recipe or used a different ingredient? As you cook, have your child make predictions about what will happen when ingredients are combined and what the final product will look like. Your child can record data by writing down observations and measurements into a sensory detail chart.

Ad Awareness

Many commercials and advertisements make promises about a product. For example, a specific brand of toothpaste will whiten teeth after five days or a detergent will take out grass stains. Watch a few commercials together and have your child question a product and put it to the test. Use the scientific method to come up with an experiment and draw a conclusion. What is the best way to test if the product keeps its promise? Help your child write down an experiment plan, record data, and draw a conclusion. Share the findings with your family members. You and your child may also wish to make up a commercial discuss the findings. For example, if the detergent does not remove a grass stain, your child can write a commercial saying that the detergent does not work as promised and offer other solutions.