1. The Scientific Method
7th Grade Life Science

2. Know, Wonder, Learned
In the Know column list everything you know about the scientific method
In the Wonder column list all of the things that come to mind that spark your curiosity, pertaining to the Scientific Method or list things that you do not understand about this topic
Leave the Learned column blank for now

3. The Steps
Ask a question: Ask a question about something that you observe: How, What, When, Who, Which, Why, or Where?
Background Research: Use the library and Internet research to help you find the best way to do things and insure that you don't repeat mistakes from the past.

4. If _____[I do this] _____, then _____[this]_____ will happen.
The Steps
3) Construct a Hypothesis:
An “If… then…” statement.
If _____[I do this] _____, then _____[this]_____ will happen.
A measurable hypothesis: You should be able to measure your result using a number.

5. The Steps
4) Test Your Hypothesis: Conduct an experiment where you change only one thing.
The thing that you change is called the independent variable.
The thing that changes as a result is your dependent variable.

6. The Steps
5) Analyze Data and Draw a Conclusion:  Once your experiment is complete, you collect your measurements and analyze them to see if they support your hypothesis or not.
Scientists often find that their hypothesis was wrong, but they finish the scientific method, regardless.

7. The Steps 6) Communicate Results: Record what happened!
Scientific Journal
Forum
Blog
School Report
Share With a Friend
7) Repeat!

8. Real Life Applications
1) Ask a question: What is the fastest way to get to school?
2) Background Research: Look at Google Maps, Check traffic reports
3) Construct a Hypothesis: If I take the freeway then I will get to school faster than if I took a surface street.
4) Test: Measure the time it takes to get to school each morning, for a week, taking surface streets. Repeat using the freeway.
5) Analyze Data and Draw Conclusions:
The average time it takes to get to school using surface streets is 17 minutes and the average time it takes to get to school using the freeway is 11 minutes.
6) Communicate Results: Text my mom.
7) Repeat
Day of the Week
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Week 1
16 minutes
17 minutes
20 minutes
Week 2
12 minutes
15 minutes
10 minutes
13 minutes

9. Your turn! Think, Pair, Share
Think: Pick a question and hypothetically apply the scientific method in order to find a conclusion!
Pair: Pair up with someone nearby.
Share: Share your “think”s with one another. Give each other praise and constructive criticism.
Be ready to share! ;)