The Five Steps

1. Define the problem

2. Form a hypothesis

3. Test the hypothesis

4. Analyze and draw conclusions

5. Report observations

Step 1: Define the problem

• What is the problem?

• The problem is the question. It is the

question that we want to know the answer

to.

Some example problems:

• How does sunlight affect plant growth?

Some example problems:

• What will happen if I don’t eat lunch?

Step 1: Define the problem

• Open your books to page 7.

• Now, think of two problems you want to

answer using the scientific method.

Step 2: Form a hypothesis

• What is a hypothesis?

• A hypothesis is a

prediction. It’s what we

think will happen.

Example hypothesis• How does sunlight affect the growth of a plant?

• My hypothesis is that the plant will grow

very tall.

Example hypothesis• What will happen if I don’t eat lunch?

• My hypothesis is that I will go crazy!

Step 2: Form a hypothesis

• Now look at your problems

on page 7.

• With your partner, discuss

your hypothesis of what will

happen.

Step 2: Form a hypothesis

• Great, now let’s read page

8 together.

Next time…

• We will continue on to

3. Test the hypothesis

4. Analyze and draw conclusions

5. Report observations

The Five Steps: Who can fill in the blanks?

1. Define the ________________

2. Form a _____________________

3. Test the ________________________

4. Analyze and draw

____________________

5. Report ________________

Step 3: Test the hypothesis

• We can also say this is the time to….

Step 3: EXPERIMENT!

Step 3: Test the hypothesis/experiment

• During the experiment we take notes to understand

what happens during the experiment.

• The notes help us find the reasons the experiment

happened.

Step 4: Analyze and draw conclusions

• Now, it’s time to look at the facts.

• Here’s my experiment:

Experiment

1. Problem: What will happen if I don’t eat lunch?

2. Hypothesis: I think I will go crazy.

3. Test: I did not eat lunch. And this is what happened:

Experiment

1. Problem: What will happen if I don’t eat lunch?

2. Hypothesis: I think I will go crazy.

3. Test: I did not eat lunch.

4. Analyze and draw conclusions: I am very angry

and I should eat lunch.

5. Report observations: The teacher should ALWAYS eat

lunch.

Turn to page 12

1. Get into your small groups.

2. Read the problems.

3. Read the observations.

4. Work together to develop a hypothesis that explains what is

happening.

5. Then think of how you might experiment.