Experimenting Like a

Scientist

By: Emily Veeser

Table of Contents
Pages 3-6 Scientific Method
Pages 7-10 Observing,
Communicating, and Using Spatial
Relationships
Pages 11-14 Observing, Classifying,
and Communicating
Pages 15-18 Predicting, Observing
and Inferring
Pages 19-22 Using Mathematics
Pages 23-24 Glossary

Scientific Method
We are going to do an experiment to
find how many of each color M&M there
is in a fun size bag. We will use the
scientific method for the procedure.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

State the problem

Gather information on the topic
Form a hypothesis
Experiment
Record and analyze data
State a conclusion

Scientific Method
In M&M bags there are green, yellow,
orange, blue, red and brown M&Ms.
Before I conduct my experiment I will
form a hypothesis.
My hypothesis:
There will be 16 candies. Of those
candies there will be 4 green, 3 blue, 3
red, 2 orange, 2 yellow and 2 brown.

Scientific Method
After opening my bag of candies I sort
them by color.

I then analyze and record my data on a

table.

Scientific Method
I then take my data and transfer it to a
bar graph. I use corresponding colors to
graph my M&Ms.

I then use my data to form conclusions.

My hypothesis was wrong because there
were more yellow, brown and orange
M&Ms than I thought.

Observing, Communicating and

Using Spatial Relationships
In science making observations is very important.
We make observations by looking at the object,
touching it, smelling it, and comparing it to other
items. We are looking for qualitative and
quantitative characteristics. In my journal, I am
writing down ways that I can observe the different
leaves. There are many characteristics I can look
at such as size, weight, color, texture and more.

Observing, Communicating and

Using Spatial Relationships
In this photo I am comparing two different leaves.
I am observing one leaf at a time with a hand lens
and taking notes. I then will look at the other leaf
and see what differences there are. The leaves are
going to vary in looks. I am also looking for spatial
relationships between the leaves. For example, I
am looking for symmetry when I fold the leaf in
half by the petiole.

Observing, Communicating and

Using Spatial Relationships
I am then recording my observations on a chart. If
you look at the chart each leaf has many
properties.The chart will consist of the data I
collected. The measurements were taken with a
ruler.

Observing, Communicating and

Using Spatial Relationships
In this photo I am using my observation
chart and classifying my notes as
qualitative and quantitative. I am
reviewing the notes to see which
characteristics belong under each
category. I am then going to draw a
picture of the leaves and label it with the
different qualities.

Observing, Classifying
and Communicating
In science observing, classifying and
communicating are important for
making discoveries. Classification
allows us to put items into groups based
on similarities. There are many ways to
observe so we can classify items. I am
writing down how I can classify
different types of rocks based on what I
know.

Observing, Classifying
and Communicating
In this photo I am looking at the rocks I
have and putting them into two
categories. I chose to classify them by
their color. I put some rocks in a dark
colored group and the others in a light
color group. I classified these rocks
according to qualitative observations.

Observing, Classifying
and Communicating
I am then going to use my hand lens to
find more data. I noticed that some
rocks have a rougher texture. I will then
make a new category for rocks based on
their texture. Also I observed that some
rocks are similar in size. I then sorted
these rocks into their categories.

Observing, Classifying
and Communicating
In this photo I am choosing two rocks to
write a report on. I chose the silver one.
In my report I drew a photo of the rock,
measured the length of the rock, wrote
down the size and felt the rock to
measure weight and texture. Its very
important to record results after making
observations. Communicating results
helps people to use that information
when experimenting.

Predicting, Observing
and Inferring
In science we predict, make
observations and inferences. In this
activity we are predicting what we think
is inside of the box. Each person gets to
move the box three times and make
predictions about what they think is
inside. I am writing one inference based
on what I think might be inside.

Predicting, Observing
and Inferring
In this photo I am now looking inside
and observing what is in the box. The
predictions I made were not accurate. I
now will write down the data. My
predictions were wrong because the
content in the box was different.

Predicting, Observing
and Inferring
This experiment will test what objects
absorb water. Some materials absorb
water and others do not. I am making
predictions about which items I think
will absorb water and will not
absorb(repel).

Predicting, Observing
and Inferring
Using a dropper I am collecting water. I am then
dropping it onto the different materials. I am
dropping a little water onto each material to test
it. I will then record the results. Looking at my
results I can make inferences about my
investigation.

Did not absorb water

Did absorb water

Using Mathematics
We use math every day to calculate the
time it takes to complete a task, cooking
and many more ways. In this photo I am
taking a recipe and cutting it in half. Its
important that my calculations are
correct or my results will be inaccurate
and the recipe will be wrong. This is
similar to science because if the math
isnt done correctly the data will be
wrong.

Using Mathematics
We are going to be dropping three
different items from a three foot height.
We will do that five times for each item.
In this photo I am making predictions
based on qualitative observations. I am
recording my reason for which one I
thought would be fastest.

Using Mathematics
One person will be dropping an item
and the other will be using the
stopwatch. We are going to do five trials
for accuracy. Were going to record the
time it takes for each item to hit the
ground on our chart.

Using Mathematics
We then will use our chart to find the
average for all three items. By having
the average we will know the amount of
time it typically takes for each item to
fall. After looking at our observations,
we will be able to identify which item
hits the ground fastest. We can infer
that lighter objects fall slower because
the resistance in the air is stronger.

Glossary
absorb-take in or soak up
accurate- correct in all details
analyze: determine the elements or essential features of
average-calculated by dividing the sum of the values in the set by
their number
bar graph: a diagram in which the numerical values of variables are
represented by the height or length of lines or rectangles of equal
width.
calculate-determine (the amount or number of something)
mathematically
category- a class or division of people or things regarded as having
particular shared characteristics
characteristics- a feature or quality belonging typically to a person,
place, or thing and serving to identify i
chart-a sheet of information in the form of a table, graph, or
diagram
classification- the action or process of classifying something
according to shared qualities or characteristics
communicating-share or exchange information, news, or ideas.
comparing- estimate, measure, or note the similarity or
dissimilarity between
content- something that is contained
data- facts and statistics collected together for reference
dropper- a short glass tube with a rubber bulb at one end and a tiny
hole at the other, for measuring out drops of medicine or other
liquids

Glossary
experiment-a scientific procedure undertaken to make a discovery,
test a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact
form: bring together parts or combine to create
hand lens-a small device used to magnify something that someone
is looking at.
hypothesis: a supposition or proposed explanation made on the
basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further
investigation.
identify- establish or indicate who or what (someone or something)
is
inaccurate- not accurate
inferences- a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and
reasoning
investigation- the action of investigating something or someone
label- a small piece of paper, fabric, plastic, or similar material
attached to an object and giving information about it
materials- the matter from which a thing is or can be made
measure- ascertain the size, amount, or degree of (something) by
using an instrument or by comparing it with an object of known
size
observations- the action or process of observing something or
someone carefully or in order to gain information
observe-notice or perceive (something) and register it as being
significant

Glossary
predict-say or estimate that (a specified thing) will happen in the
future or will be a consequence of something.
procedure: an established or official way of doing something.
properties- a thing or things belonging to someone; possessions
collectively
qualitative- describing the quality of something in size, appearance,
value, etc
qualities- a distinctive attribute or characteristic possessed by
someone or something
quantitative- information that can be measured
record-set down in writing or some other permanent form for later
reference, especially officially
repel- drive or force (an attack or attacker) back or away.
resistance- te attempt to prevent something by action or argument.
results- a consequence, effect, or outcome of something
similarities- the state or fact of being similar.
sorted- a category of things or people having some common
feature; a type.
spatial relationships- specifies how some object is located in space
in relation to some reference object.
symmetry- the quality of being made up of exactly similar parts
facing each other or around an axis.
table: a set of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in
columns.
trials- test (something, especially a new product) to assess its
suitability or performance.