Science 6: Scientific Methods

Scientists use the scientific method to help them make observations, develop hypotheses, design experiments, and draw conclusions.

So, there might not be just one solution to a problem. I know that may sound weird, but it's true. So, how do you come up with multiple solutions?

In our last episode, Sabrina talked about how engineers define the problems they need to solve. But how do you know when you've actually solved a problem? What do you expect to happen that would equal success?

So now that we know what Properties are, how can we use them to figure things out? Sabrina uses them to solve the mystery of what she tripped over last night.

Learn how scientists identify and minimize bias and sources of error to produce accurate results.

Learn how scientists define independent, dependent and controlled variables in experimental inquiry.

Learn how scientists use sample size and reproducibility to develop experiments.

Learn how scientists set up fair tests using comparison and variables.

Team GCM Educator, Emily, is teaching us all about scientific observations and illustrations. Grab your magnifying glass, a piece of paper, and some writing utensils, and head outside!

Check out this catchy song about measuring data and collecting accurate information.

Scientific theories have to be testable so that scientists can use the scientific method to see if they are correct.

It's time to design some trials. In order to do that, we need to design trials to find failure points and see how things are going to work in the real world (with gravity, wind, and human error all factored in).

We all know that failure is bad... but is it? Actually, engineers need things to fail so they can understand how to make things better. In this episode, Sabrina chats to us about failure points and how they can help us find better solutions to problems.

This time we need to figure out what to do if you don't have all the things you'd like to have to perform your tests. How do you isolate a variable across multiple tests?

We've talked about variables and solving problems. But how do we keep working on a problem if the first solution doesn't fix it? In this episode, Sabrina shows us how to use Trials to figure out what the problems are with our solutions.

Learn how scientists come up with experimental or testable questions.

In this episode, Sabrina talks about how we can all be better engineers by understanding what problems we want or need to solve.

Learn what makes a good hypothesis, and how to develop one.

This video uses puppies to explain outcomes and predictions. See how you can make a chart to keep track.

Resources for this unit of the curriculum from Black Gold School District.

Help Detective Wilson and Detective Marlow solve a murder. You will be introduced to the major disciplines of crime investigation as you try to solve a murder through the eyes of the detectives, from examining the crime scene to collecting evidence, wound and blood analysis, document analysis and toxicology.

What is an owl pellet? What is inside a pellet? How do pellets form? There are several different virtual pellets on this page for you to dissect.

If you want to communicate your data, how do you know what type of graph you should use? Here are some tips!

Puzzle through a set of hypothetical health studies and headlines and see if you can spot what’s misleading about the headline. Related Lesson

When they’re used well, graphs can help us intuitively grasp complex data. But as visual software also makes them easier to use in a careless or dishonest way. Related Lesson