Steps of the Scientific Method

Form a HypothesisForm a Hypothesis: A prediction or an

educated guess about what you think will happen

during your experiment based on observations,

facts or events.

Hypothesis The hypothesis is an

educated guess about the relationship between the

independent (manipulating) and dependent

(responding) variables.

Hypothesis All hypotheses are written in an “If”

“then” “ “because” format. They always mention both your

independent & dependent variables! Let’s try one! Problem: What will happen if I put my

hand in a bucket of ice water for four minutes?

Hypothesis

If I put my hand in a bucket of ice water for four minutes, then my hand will hurt because the cold will make my blood vessels get smaller, which will cause less blood to go to my hand, which will make my hand hurt.

Problem:

What happens to a houseplant if it is not watered for three weeks?

Hypothesis

If a houseplant is not watered for three weeks, then the plant will wither & die because plants need adequate amounts of water to survive.

Problem

What happens to a person’s heart rate if that person runs a mile?

Hypothesis

If a person runs a mile, then their heart rate will increase because they are using more energy to pump blood through their bodies.

Problem

What animal will be harder for a predator to catch in the Arctic: an animal with light coat or an animal with a dark coat?

Hypothesis

If an animal with a light coat & an animal with a dark coat are in the Arctic, then the animal with the light coat will be harder for a predator to catch because they will blend into the environment better.

Problem

When using a flashlight as a heat source to simulate the Sun, will a black or white piece of construction paper become hotter?

Hypothesis

If I use a flashlight as a heat source to simulate the Sun, then a black sheet of paper will become hotter because darker colors absorb heat more than light colors.

Problem: What happens to a houseplant if it is not watered for three weeks?Hypothesis: If a houseplant is not watered for three weeks, then the plant will wither & die because plants need adequate amounts of water to survive.

Problem: What happens to a person’s heart rate if that person runs a mile?Hypothesis: If a person runs a mile, then their heart rate will increase because they are using more energy to pump blood through their bodies.

Problem: What animal will be harder for a predator to catch in the Arctic: an animal with light coat or an animal with a dark coat?Hypothesis: If an animal with a light coat & an animal with a dark coat are in the Arctic, then the animal with the light coat will be harder for a predator to catch because they will blend into the environment better.

Problem: When using a flashlight as a heat source to simulate the Sun, will a black or white piece of construction paper become hotter?Hypothesis: If I use a flashlight as a heat source to simulate the Sun, then a black sheet of paper will become hotter because darker colors absorb heat more than light colors.