Need A Scientific Method Activity?
Looking for a scientific method activity?
Kids love learning about the scientific method because kids love science.
Every student always enjoys exploring and discovering new things, and especially conducting experiments.
The scientific method is the basis of those exciting experiments that they are going to perform throughout the year!
I have some ideas and resources to use when teaching the scientific method to your elementary students – keep reading to learn more.
Plus, make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to grab a science FREEBIE!
What are the steps of the scientific method?
The scientific method steps are:
- make an observation
- ask a question
- form a hypothesis
- conduct experiment
- analyze results
- conclusion
Scientists use these steps when creating an experiment and asking questions.
This is an important concept to learn before diving into the science units the rest of the year because it creates a foundation to build upon.
Scientific Method Activity
Conduct a mini-experiment!
Conduct a fun experiment as a class to reinforce the steps of the scientific method!
What always gets students engaged? FOOD.
I find that any time that food is involved, students are extra motivated.
So, create an M&M experiment!
This experiment is cost-effective, fun, and easy.
Ask students: will M&Ms dissolve quicker in warm water or cold water?
From there, students will make their hypothesis, then it’s time to conduct the experiment (ex: If M&Ms are stirred in a cup of warm water, then they will dissolve faster than cold water).
Set up your science experiment by giving pairs of students 4 M&Ms, a cup of warm water, and a cup of cold water.
Don’t want to get materials for each student, or are short on time?
Just get enough materials for you, and the students can watch!
After conducting the experiment, show how a scientist will analyze results and create a conclusion.
This science experiment doesn’t take long, but it’s a great way to reinforce all the steps of the scientific method.
Read Alouds
Read-alouds are always a great way to introduce or go deeper into a specific topic.
I have a handful of books that are perfect to use to teach the scientific method and to help kids make the real–life connections that scientists are not old men in white coats – everyone can be a scientist.
Here are a few of my favorites: (Amazon Affiliate links below!)
- The Princess and the Petri Dish by Sue Fliess
- Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty
- Charlotte the Scientist Find a Cure by Camille Andros
- Ada Lace is On the Case by Emily Calandrelli(A chapter book read-aloud!)
Scientific Method Practice & Review
Scientific Method Color By Number Worksheets
You guys – if you want engaging worksheets: THIS. IS IT.
Scientific method color by number worksheets are so dang fun.
It’s a worksheet with a fun coloring reward at the end (that makes it the easiest to grade – WIN!)
These are the best to use after teaching a lesson whole group!
(Also PERFECT for morning work or sub work).
Kids first answer questions.
Each question’s answer choice dictates a color next to it (like green, red, blue, etc.).
Students will color the coded picture based on the answer that they choose.
The topics include:
- a reading passage and comprehension questions on the scientific method
- matching words to definitions of scientific investigation vocabulary
- matching the measuring tool to what it measures (mass, volume, or length)
- identifying a description as a dependent or independent variable
- matching words to definitions of the scientific method steps
- matching scientific tool pictures to the name of the tool
- identifying a description as qualitative or quantitative data
Click HERE to check the scientific method worksheets out!
Scientific Method for Google Classroom
This digital resource is one of my best-sellers, and it’s easy to see why!
Engaging, colorful graphics make learning about the scientific method and investigations fun and motivating.
This resource has tons of interactive drag-&-drop questions to make learning fun.
Click HERE to check out this digital scientific method resource!
Need MORE scientific method activities?
Make sure to check out my blog post on building problem solvers using the scientific method.
Click HERE to read the post!
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