1. SQUISH BOOK
Solving a problem
SCIENTIFICALLY

2. State the Problem Think of a question you want to investigate.
Ask yourself, “What do
I want to learn more
about?”, or “I wonder
what would happen if...?”
Make sure your question is clear,
can be tested and measureable!

3. State the Problem:
My blackberries did not grow well this year.
Why did my blackberries not grow well?

4. Form a Hypothesis If – then statement! A possible answer to your
question that can be tested.
Along with your hypothesis,
please include WHY you
chose your hypothesis!
If – then statement!

5. Form a Hypothesis: My blackberries did not grow well because
we did not get much rain.

6. Form a Hypothesis Continued……
Remember: It’s okay if your
hypothesis turns out to be wrong.
A hypothesis is simply
an educated guess.
HYPOTHESES are NOT
supposed to be wild guesses!

7. Perform an Experiment
Develop an experiment with a control and variable
Control -standard to which the
outcome of a test is compared
- does not change
Variable – something in the
experiment that can be changed.
Your experiment should
have only ONE variable
Please list all the materials you
used, and include step-by-step
instructions for your experiment.

8. Perform an Experiment
Blackberry plants are placed in moderately lit areas all receiving the same amount of light each day (CONTROL). Each plant will receive different amount of water(VARIABLE).
The size of the berries will be recorded daily once the plants begin to produce berries.
Materials:
Blackberry plants in pots
Watering can
Measuring cup

9. Analyze Data This is where you average the
necessary data and make a graph.
Record your experiment
results
Organize your data in a
table or chart
Create a graph to explain
your findings
Make sure to label the axes of your
Graph and include units…
The symbols that describe a number.
( ex: m, km, cm, seconds, liters, etc.)

10. Analyze Data
The raspberry plants receiving 1 cup of water daily grew to 1/2 "
in diameter and those receiving two cups of water grew to 3/4 " in diameter.

11. Draw Conclusions FIRST….tell us of your results—
did your hypothesis fit the data or not?
Did anything strange happen
during your experiment?
Could this affect your results?
(uncontrolled variables)
How could you improve your
experiment in the future?
(future wonder)

12. Draw Conclusions
The raspberry plants receiving the most water grew the biggest. Therefore, the hypothesis is supported that this year's raspberries did not get enough rain.

13. What is an inference? NOTES: An inference is what you think
or imply from what you see