Scientific Method

The Scientific Method

Our first science unit was the steps of the scientific method.

1) State the question

2) Collect information

3) Form a hypothesis

4) Test the hypothesis

5) Record and study data

6) Draw a conclusion

We completed many Labs to practice using the scientific method. 

The first Lab we did was called

"Saving Fred".

Here is the link to the FREE PDF pages on 

www.teacherspayteachers.com

Saving Fred

The Story...

Fred, the gummy worm, has been spending 

his time boating on the lake near his home. 

He is not too bright.

(He is a worm, after all).

He has never learned to swim,

and never wears his life preserver.

The worst has finally happened!

His boat has capsized and he is STUCK!

His life preserver is caught under the boat,

but he cannot reach it without falling into the water

and drowning.

CAN YOU SAVE FRED?

Materials:  1 gummy worm (Fred)

1 gummy Life Saver

4 paper clips

1 clear plastic cup

Your Mission:

You and your partner must save Fred using only 4 paper clips! You may NOT touch Fred, the boat, or the life preserver with your hands - ONLY the paper clips!

Applying the steps of the scientific method, students were able to 

-state the question (How can we save Fred?)

-collect information (We cannot use our hands, only paper clips. We have to pick up Fred, flip the boat, get the life preserver, and pull Fred through it to save him)

-form a hypothesis (If we bend/twist/straighten the paper clips, we can work together as a team to save Fred).

-test the hypothesis (Straightening the paper clips isn't working; we need to create hooks with them. What else can we do to solve our problem?)

-record and study data (How long did it take us to save Fred? Which groups saved Fred the quickest? What methods did they use that made it easier?)

and

-draw a conclusion (Because we created hooks with the paper clips and worked together, we were able to save Fred).

Here are a few pictures from our 

Saving Fred scientific method activity.

Other Labs we completed to practice the scientific method are below. :)

"How Many Drops of Water Will My Penny Hold?

*Using pipettes, students placed drops of water onto a penny. We discussed surface tension, and why the water stayed on the penny instead of rolling off. We also hypothesized about the number of drops other coins would hold based on their size related to the penny.

    

                  

"Paper Towel Strength Test"

*Students soaked various brands of paper towels in 1 cup of water for 10 seconds, then secured the paper towel over an empty plastic bowl with a rubber band. Students counted the number of marbles the paper towel could hold before it broke. We examined the thickness, textures, and even compared costs of 5 different paper towel brands relative to the number of marbles each held.

"Paper Towel Absorbency"

Students soaked various brands of paper towels in 1 cup of water for 10 seconds, then squeezed the water from the paper towel into a graduated cylinder. They measured the amount of water each paper towel could absorb in the 10 second time frame.  Students made connections based on absorbency - which paper towel really works best? What is the relationship between absorbency and price? What do you notice about the thickness or make-up of each brand of paper towel?

"Paper Airplane Dynamics"

Students created paper airplanes 2 ways - vertically (longer) and horizontally (shorter). We measured wingspan, length of the plane, and made notes about the nose of the plane before testing each one to see how far it flew. Students made connections to wingspan and aerodynamics based on the distance each plane flew.