American Physiological Society
Did I Observe it or Infer it?
Take the mystery out of inquiry! When young scientists learn to use their keen powers of observation to make smart inferences about a situation, they are well on their way to understanding what the scientific method is all about. Using...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Scientific Method Mania
Horrible science puns only happen periodically, but the scientific method is forever. Young scientists observe two presentations on the scientific method, complete independent practice worksheets, and integrate their knowledge through a...
Curated OER
Gravity: What is it?
What is gravity and how do you explain it? Use this presentation to guide an inquiry-based lesson centered on understanding gravity through hands-on experience. Each slide provides a definition, example, or activity for students to...
Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Using Our Senses to Observe
Look around and explore. Little ones use their five senses with some day-to-day activities designed to guide observation and apply STEM strategies. Young scientists learn through comparing/contrasting and observing with magnifiers as...
Curated OER
Riding on a Pendulum
A comprehensive resource gets fourth grade physical scientists making observations about the period of a pendulum and then applying knowledge to a playground swing. Through seven different stations, they will record observations and...
Crafty Classroom
Guided Scientific Method
Guide learners through an experiment with a set of worksheets on the scientific method. Six steps prompt your class to ask questions, conduct research, form a hypothesis, test theories, analyze data, and report results.
Curated OER
The Scientific Method
Students study the steps involved in the scientific method. They apply the scientific method to their science fair projects.
Curated OER
Milkweed and Monarch Butterfly Mania Observations
In this milkweed and monarch butterfly mania observations worksheet, students observe the photo, take notes and make a prediction about the habitat of the monarch butterfly. This page has serveral links to helpful web resources.
Biology Junction
Scientific Method
Break down the scientific method to get a better grasp on the proper way to use it. A short presentation walks through each step in the scientific method and the proper vocabulary associated with each. Scholars complete the worksheet to...
Berkshire Museum
Adopt a Schoolyard Tree
Help young scientists connect with nature and learn about trees with a fun life science lesson. Heading out into the school yard, children choose a tree to adopt, taking measurements, writing descriptions, and drawing sketches of it in...
Baylor College
They're Everywhere: Bacteria
Totally gross out your class with the eighth lesson in this series on food science. Explore the microscopic world of bacteria by taking swabs of different classroom objects and growing colonies in petri dishes. An engaging activity that...
Curated OER
The Scientific Method
Young scholars examine the Scientific Method. They will discover the value in being observant, organized, and thorough with regard to science. They will also explore how these traits can serve them well in other areas of life.
Curated OER
Observations and Procedures
Young scientists critique the breakdown of detailed observations. They discover the importance of writing down experimental procedures. There are some guided discussion questions at the end of the resource.
Edgemont Elementary School
Scientific Method Unit
Four out of five teenagers experiment with science by accident. This unit teaches the five parts of the scientific method through examples, guided practice, independent practice, and then through a hands-on experiment. Each step is...
Curated OER
Learning Scientific Coral Terminology
Learners explore properties of coral. In this scientific observation lesson plan, students investigate properties and characteristics of coral. Learners write statements describing the coral using observation words.
Curated OER
The Importance of Observation
First graders practice observing items in small areas. In this scientific observation lesson, 1st graders complete a worksheet that shows a child looking at a small patch of grass. They make a list of items that the child sees. They...
Curated OER
Mentos Geyser! What's the Fizz Factor?
What is it that makes Mentos candy and cola such an explosive combination? Find out through scientific inquiry and experimentation. This presentation walks learners through the scientific process and allows them to speculate whether it...
Curated OER
Light Travels Through Objects
Students experiment with materials that allow light to pass through. In this physical science lesson, students investigate the way light is absorbed by many different glass objects and household items. Students write their descriptive...
Curated OER
A Planting We Will Go
Even the youngest kids can make scientific comparisons using collected data. They read The Tiny Seed, then discuss the essential nutrients and elements needed for a seed to grow into a blooming plant. They plant seeds and track their...
Primary Resources
What Plants Need to Grow
What do seeds need in order to grow into plants? This presentation follows what happened every four days during a seed growth and observation study. Images compare how well two sets of seeds did under specific circumstances. Use this to...
Berkshire Museum
Backyard Rocks
You don't have to travel far to learn about rocks, just step outside, pick up a stone, and begin investigating. After taking a class walk around the school grounds collecting rocks, young scientists practice their skills of observation...
Curated OER
Introducing the Use of Dichotomous Keys to Students
Students are introduced to the use of dichotomous keys as a simple means of beginning scientific observations in nature. They comprehend how to use a dichotomous key. Students distinguish characteristics of a group of organisms. They...
Curated OER
Introductory Module
Third graders examine the non-standard method of measurement and compare it to the metric system of measurement. In this introductory module instructional activity, 3rd graders discover the scientific observation. Students also develop...
Odell Education
Scientific Process and Experimental Design
The scientific method keeps you from believing only what you want to believe — it expands your mind. The lesson introduces the eight steps in the scientific process and how to design an experiment to biology scholars. Live insects...