The Scientific Method: How Do Scientists Solve Problems Worksheet (Page 2 of 4) in pdf

• 4 – 5 items for each box, including aromatic herbs (mint, etc), marbles, salt or

sugar, pieces of wood, balls (e.g., ping-pong, rubber, golf), paperclips, glass rods

• answer key for the contents of each box

Procedure

• Introduce the scientific method by brainstorming how a problem is solved.

Formulate student’s ideas into a chart of steps in the scientific method. Determine

with the students how a scientist solves problems.

• Arrange students in working groups of 3 or 4. Students are to attempt to discover

what is in their mystery box.

• The group must decide on a procedure to determine the contents of their box and

formulate a hypothesis as to the contents.

• Students are to design an experiment (series of steps) that they will use to test

their hypothesis.

• Students will carry out experiment and record their results on the worksheet.

• Students will draw conclusions based on what they did, then appoint a reporter

from their group to share their results with the class.

Key Questions

• What are the steps involved in the scientific method?

• How do you raise a testable question from your observation?

Explanations

There is no single process or set of steps that all scientists use. The scientist must always

be prepared to go backward, change directions and be flexible. Although the exact steps

may vary, a good scientific investigation must have certain features. Every investigation

begins with an observation.

• Observation – the use of senses to study something. Scientists may use tools such

as a microscope or a scale. Observations are followed by a question

• Researching – reading literature to give you a background of information that

already exists concerning your question

• Hypothesizing – a possible explanation for an observation

• Designing an experiment – experimentation supports or rejects your hypothesis

• (Variables) – a variable is any factor that affects the outcome of an experiment.

Each experiment must contain a control and an independent variable.

• Collecting, organizing, and analyzing data

• Reporting the results so that other scientists may test your conclusions

The Scientific Method: How Do Scientists Solve Problems Worksheet Page 2