1. The Scientific Method By Mr. Krall

2. The Scientific Method What is the Scientific Method? -The Scientific Method is a set of steps that help organize thinking to solve a problem. Who can use the Scientific Method? -Anyone can use the Scientific Method What kind of problems does the Scientific Method work on? - The Scientific Method can be used on any problem.

3. Steps of the Scientific Method 1. State the Problem 2. Gather Information 3. Make a Hypothesis 4. Experiment 5. Get & Use Results (Sometimes there are more or less steps depending on the teacher. Sometimes the steps have different names. The idea behind it is always the same.)

4. State the Problem In this step all you do is: Say what the problem is Identify the problem Define the problem Name the problem You aren’t doing anything about the problem yet. You aren’t even thinking about how to solve it yet.

5. Gather Information In this step you are: Thinking about past experiences Using your 5 senses Doing research Using communication skills You are doing whatever you can to learn about the problem.

6. Make a Hypothesis In this step you are: Making an educated guess Formulating a plan or strategy Making a decision You are making an educated guess (based on the information you got from the Gather Information step) about what will solve the problem.

7. Experiment In this step you are: Taking action to solve the problem Testing your hypothesis Running an experiment You are taking action to determine if or to what degree your hypothesis is going to solve your problem.

8. Get & Use Results In this step you: Find out if your problem is solved or not Get results from your experiment Might end up with more problems or questions When the experiment is over, your problem is either solved or you have to try again in a new way.

9. When Experiments Fail… If your experiment fails you might: Go back and try another hypothesis Go back and gather more information Go back and make sure you know what your problem really is If your first hypothesis fails, you keep adjusting and trying again, until you find a solution.

10. GET & USE RESULTS “Was your experiment a success?” GATHER INFORMATION “Learn as much as you can about the problem.” EXPERIMENT “Take action to solve the problem.” MAKE A HYPOTHESIS “Make an educated guess.” STATE THE PROBLEM “Give the problem a name.”