INTRODUCTION TO SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION

LESSON

6.8 SCIENCE AT HOME 3

Time Frame: 60 Min

Part I: DAY 1 of 2
Time Allotted: 1 min Actual Time: __________

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

● Investigate objects or phenomena using the scientific method.

● Design and conduct your own science investigation.

Time Allotted: 8 min Actual Time: __________

In your previous lesson, you learned that scientific method is a logical process that is used
by a scientist or anyone in order to find answers and testing possible answers to a question.

Can you still remember the steps of the scientific method? Let us recall the different steps in the
scientific method and do Activity 1. You may write your answers on the blanks below or write them
in your notebook.

Activity 1

Fill in the blank graphic organizer with the steps of the scientific method.

Learning Guide 6.8 page 1 of 10

 Time Allotted: 15 min Actual Time: __________

Every day, you ask questions, and use series of steps to answer those questions. The step-by step
process is known as the scientific method.

As a young scientist, you need to be curious, make keen observations, and learn to communicate
about the world around you. Most science concepts, discoveries and theories are products of
scientific method. By following the step-by-step process of this method, you can develop
explanations about your natural world.

Look at the figure below. Do you have an idea what the image is all about?
Yes, that is an atomic structure. An atom is considered as the smallest unit of matter.

The atomic theory describes how our knowledge of the atom has changed over time. But how did the
discoveries of the atom happen? How did the discoveries change the structure of what atom looks
like?

Figure 1: Schematicky atom.png. (2020, October 11). Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository.
Retrieved 05:14, October 12, 2020
from https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Schematicky_atom.png&oldid=487248919.

Did you know that the scientific method was and is responsible for developing the model of the atom
as we know it today? As a student, you can also design and conduct simple scientific investigations
by undertaking the steps in the scientific method just like what scientists do to collect scientific
knowledge through discovery. In order to guide you in designing your own scientific investigation,
study the sample provided in this learning guide.

Learning Guide 6.8 page 2 of 10

Here is an example of a simple scientific investigation.

Title: Sugar’s Water Best Friend

PROBLEM:

What temperature of water dissolves sugar the fastest?

HYPOTHESIS:

If the temperature of the water is high, then the time taken for sugar to dissolve will be fast.

VARIABLES:

Independent Variable Dependent Variable Controlled Variable

Temperature of water Time taken for sugar to Amount of sugar I grams
measured in °C dissolve measured in seconds Amount of water measured in
milliliters

MATERIALS:

- Cold water (300ml)

- Room temp. water (300 ml)
- Hot water (300 ml)
- Sugar (1 pack)
- 1 pc teaspoon
- 3pcs cup/glass
- Timer (any device)

PROCEDURE:

1) Prepare the materials needed for this activity.

2) Pour 100 ml cold water to one cup.
3) Place one teaspoon of sugar in the cup of cold water.
4) Start the timer once the stirring of water and sugar together using the teaspoon has begun.
5) End the timer once all of the sugar has dissolved.
6) Empty the cup and make sure that there is nothing left inside.
7) Record the data.
8) Repeat steps 2-7 for the lukewarm and hot water.
9) Do steps 2-8 two more times, using the same cups used in the first trial.

Learning Guide 6.8 page 3 of 10

DOCUMENTATION:

DATA:

Learning Guide 6.8 page 4 of 10

 DISCUSSION:

During the experiment, three different temperatures of water were used to determine which can
dissolve sugar the fastest. For the first one, the cold water, it was observed that the sugar still did
not fully dissolve even after a minute has passed. When the time was stopped, there were still some
particles of sugar left that seemed like it would not dissolve in the water anymore.

Meanwhile, the sugar in the room temperature water did take as much time to dissolve compared
to the one in cold water. Unlike what was observed in the first temperature of the water, the sugar
was fully dissolved in the second one. In the last cup that had hot water inside, it was observed that
when the teaspoon of sugar was placed into the water, it already started to dissolve. Even in a short
amount of time as seen in the data, the sugar still fully dissolved in water.

CONCLUSION:

Hot water dissolves sugar the fastest.

Simple Science Investigation Output Credits to:

Rachel Marie Grace D. Mejorada (Batch 2025, Philippine Science High School-Main Campus)

Time Allotted: 6 min Actual Time: __________

Now that you already know the steps of the scientific method. Let us check your understanding by
answering the following questions in your notebook. This is NOT graded.

Activity 2

1. What is the purpose of the scientific method?

2. Is the scientific method applied in our daily activities? Give an example of a specific
situation wherein the scientific method is applied.
3. Why is it important to use scientific investigations to find answers to questions or solve
problems?

Learning Guide 6.8 page 5 of 10

 Part II: DAY 2 of 2

Time Allotted: 30 min Actual Time: __________

Now, it is your time to experience how the scientific method is utilized in solving a problem. In this
activity, you will design and conduct a simple scientific investigation by following the steps of the
scientific method. This activity will also serve as an alternative assessment.

Please read the instructions below and seize the opportunity of doing science. Your teacher will give
you further instructions regarding this activity. An extended time may be allowed to accomplish
this activity.

SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT

Directions: Fill in the sections below as you design your scientific investigation at home using the
steps of the scientific method. You may choose ONE (1) from the suggested topics or problems
below or propose another topic of interest to your subject teacher.
Your output will be submitted via KHUB or as instructed by your teacher.

Suggested Topics/Problems:
 Which type of liquid dries the fastest?
 What material is best for absorbing water?
 Which solute dissolves faster in hot water?
 Which type of vegetable seed will sprout the fastest?
 How does water temperature affect the buoyancy of the egg?

1. Write down the topic/problem you want to explore.

_______________________________________________________________

2. Read about the topic using books or internet. From what you read, write (2) things you learned
that may help you answer your question. Provide your sources/references.

a. _________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

b. _________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

3. Identify the variables

INDEPENDENT DEPENDENT CONTROLLED
(what I change) (what I measure/observe) (what I need to keep the same)

Learning Guide 6.8 page 6 of 10

4. Formulate your hypothesis and write it down below.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

5. List down the materials you will need in your experiment.

6. Write down the procedure you will follow to do your experiment. Make sure you include the
following elements:

 Step-by-step instructions
 Number of trials (repeats of the experiment)

Learning Guide 6.8 page 7 of 10

7. Conduct your Scientific Investigation: Your teacher will approve of your procedures and
give you the necessary instructions. Make sure that adult supervision is available. Follow
strictly your teacher’s instructions.

8. Create a table/graph of your data.

9. Include a short discussion about the analysis and results of your experiment.

10. Draw conclusion from your experiment. You may explain whether your results support your
hypothesis. If your results did not match your hypothesis, why do you think this happened? You
may give a short explanation on the results of your experiment.

Learning Guide 6.8 page 8 of 10

Rubrics: Alternative Assessment- Scientific Investigation

Excellent Very Good Good Fair

(5 points) (4 points) (3 points) (2 points)
PLANNING Correctly identified Correctly Correctly Correctly
and described all identified 4/5 identified 3/5 identified 2/5
elements that elements that elements that elements that
contributed to the contribute to the contributed to the contributed to the
experiment. experiment. experiment experiment.

VARIABLES Clearly identified Identified 2/3 Identified 1/3 Did not identify
all variables and variables and variables and any variable and
described what will described what described what what will be
be observed and/or will be observed will be observed measured or
measured. and/or measured. and/or measured. observed.
FORMULATING Clearly identified Identified the Partially identified Did not identify
HYPOTHESIS and stated the hypothesis but the hypothesis and and state a clear
hypothesis. lacks clarity. not stated clearly. hypothesis.
PROCEDURE All materials and All materials and The materials and Many materials
the set-up used in the set-up used in set-up used in the were described
the experiment the experiment experiment were inaccurately or
were clearly and were described identified but not were not
accurately but some were stated accurately described at all.
described. not stated and clearly.
accurately and
clearly.
DATA AND Presented an Presented an Accurate Data were not
DISCUSSION accurate and clear accurate representation of shown/
representation of representation of the data in written inaccurate.
data in graphs data in graphs form, but no Incomplete
and/or tables. and/or tables but graphs or tables discussion of data.
Graphs/tables were were not were presented.
labeled properly. properly labeled. Discussion about
Provided a clear Discussion about the data is
discussion about the data is not incomplete.
the data. clearly stated.
CONCLUSION Conclusion Conclusion Conclusion No conclusion
includes whether includes whether includes what was was included in
the findings the findings learned from the the report or little
supported the supported the experiment. effort and
hypothesis, possible hypothesis and reflection.
sources of error, what was learned
and what was from the
learned from the experiment.
experiment.
SPELLING, Few errors, if any, Some errors error Many errors or Editing in
PUNCTUATIONS in spelling, in spelling, repeated mistakes spelling,
AND GRAMMAR punctuation and punctuation and in spelling, punctuation, and
grammar were grammar were punctuation and grammar not
noted. noted, although grammar were evident.
effort in editing noted.
is evident.
Source: Rcampus.com

Learning Guide 6.8 page 9 of 10

 Albarico, J.M. (2013). THINK Framework. Based on Ramos, E.G. and N. Apolinario. (n.d.) Science
LINKS. Quezon City: Rex Bookstore Inc.

Barrera, T. (2013, June 27). Scientific Method Song. OER Commons. Retrieved September 08, 2020,
from https://www.oercommons.org/authoring/3380-scientific-method-song.

Meredith, E. (2019, July 12). Intro to the Scientific Method. OER Commons. Retrieved September 08,
2020, from https://www.oercommons.org/authoring/55859-intro-to-the-scientific-method.

Omasits, C. (2018, August 30). 1.3 - Scientific Method and Communication. OER Commons.
Retrieved August 20, 2020, from https://www.oercommons.org/authoring/47922-1-3-
scientific-method-and-communication.

Learning the Scientific Method with Paper Rocket. (2020). Retrieved from:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/teacher-resources/lesson-plans/worksheet-scientific-
method-rocket.pdf

The Scientific Method. (2017) Retrieved from: https://www.ck12.org/book/ck-12-life-science-for-

middle-school/section/1.3/

Prepared by Reviewed by Reviewed and Approved by

ERA JOY U. DE LOS REYES YNA CAMILLE MONGCAL ALICE C. MANUEL

Special Science Teacher II Special Science Teacher IV Special Science Teacher IV
Western Visayas Campus Main Campus Cagayan Valley Campus

Learning Guide 6.8 page 10 of 10

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