Scientific Method Worksheet, Template & Example
Table of Contents
What Is The Scientific Method?
The scientific method is a systematic way of studying the world in a scientific manner.
It allows scientists to minimize errors and increase confidence in the results of research and studies.
Depending on the actual subject matter, there can be slightly different numbers of steps in this framework, but the 5 basic scientific method steps scientists commonly use remain the same in most scientific quests.
This problem solving approach is also used by students conducting science projects for science fairs.
Scientific Method Steps
1. Observation
Making an observation is the first step in learning about the world.
Pay attention to the nature and things around you.
Take note of things that are interesting to you and you are curious to learn more about.
2. Question
Ask a question about your observation.
What in particular do you want to learn about?
This question will guide your thinking and research in the subject matter.
3. Research And Hypothesis
Conduct background research about your question.
Use that information to form a hypothesis that may answer the question you posed.
The purpose of a hypothesis is to provide a direction for future scientific investigation.
It does not have to be the perfect answer. Write down the sources of your information so that you can cite your references in the final report.
4. Experiment
Design a controlled experiment to test the proposed hypothesis.
A controlled experiment is one that tests a single variable while holding all other variables constant.
Determine what data you need to collect to prove or disprove your hypothesis.
The experiment must be reproducible for it to be a valid proof.
When conducting the controlled experiment, carefully record the results and document the corresponding controlled variables.
5. Analysis and Conclusion
Analyze the collected data to draw a conclusion regarding your hypothesis.
Does your data support or disprove your initial hypothesis?
Usually, if the data disproves the hypothesis, scientists will form a new hypothesis based on new data and/or further research.
Then conduct another experiment to test the new hypothesis.
This process goes on until a hypothesis can be proven correct.
Scientific Method Examples – Zoey and Sassafras
Let’s walk through an example to see how the steps of the scientific method are applied.
This example comes from the soon to be released chapter book, Dragons and Marshmallows in the Zoey and Sassafras series.
I have received an advanced copy of this book to review and found that it explains the concepts and steps of the scientific method clearly and concisely.
Here is one of the experiments Zoey conducts using the scientific method to care for a magical creature, a hurt baby dragon.
1. Observation
The baby dragon may be hungry.
2. Question
What do baby dragons like to eat?
3. Research And Hypothesis
“I think he will eat worms.”
4. Experiment
Prepare 7 different types of food, one of them being worms.
Place a handful of each type on a white plate.
The 7 plates are then placed at the same distance away from the baby dragon.
Zoey steps out of the pen and lets baby dragon choose his food.
Watch the baby dragon’s reaction as he chooses and tries the different plates of food.
Results of the experiment:
cereal – baby dragon crunched up face.
marshmallows – baby dragon skipped all other food, went straight for the marshmallows and gobbled up all of them.
5. Analysis and Conclusion
Analysis: Baby dragon doesn’t seem to like cereal or any other food, except for marshmallows, especially roasted marshmallows.
Conclusion: Baby dragon loves marshmallows. The experiment supports Zoey’s hypothesis!
To see more examples of projects using the scientific method and other exciting STEM stories, check out Dragons and Marshmallows, and the rest of the Zoey and Sassafras series.
This easy-to-read series of chapter books is not only educational, but also entertaining.
It’s a fabulous blending of science and magic.
Download Scientific Method Worksheet
