Scientific Method Lesson Plans

1. A Valid Conclusion?- In this lesson, students explore the importance of accuracy in reporting, focusing particularly on articles documenting scientific discoveries.
2. Application of the Scientific Method- This series builds on the concepts explained and practiced in our Introduction to the Scientific Method. Students are asked to practice and identify each step of the scientific method from given experiments. Students practice writing good experimental conclusions and explain a conclusion based on provided data. Students are asked to complete experiments when given on partial experimental setups.
3. Ask the Antlion- Students learn about basic biological principles through using the scientific processes of observation and recording as they examine live insects (antlions).
4. Baggie Science- This activity introduces students to the idea of chemical reactions. As student teams work together the excitement mounts as they watch changes occur when the chemicals inside their zip-lock bag are mixed. The bag gets hot, inflates with gas, the bubbling contents change color and the liquid turns cold, all within a matter of minutes.

1. Brown Bag Science- This is a hands-on science investigation on electricity. Students learn through the discovery method how electricity works. The student's natural curiosity and sense of exploration will enable them to explore and learn on their own with little input from the teacher.
2. Bubble-ology and Bernoulli- Bubbles are not only captivating, colorful, and fun to make, they are also excellent demonstrations of scientific phenomena. Bubble- ology is a motivating and powerful introduction to the process and substance of science.
3. Color Mixing- This lesson introduces 1st - 3rd graders to the idea of scientific experimentation - data collection, hypothesis forming, and trial and error.
4. Comparing Solvents- Students will investigate the effects of solvents in cleaning by designing and carrying out an experiment utilizing the steps of the scientific method. A video is used as an introduction to the concept of solvents.
5. Decidedly Different- In this first lesson of the Unit Plan, What Makes Me Who I Am, students study why scientists need to use observable characteristics, how they sort the characteristics, and why they do so. Journal entries allow students to reflect and make inferences.
6. Hey You! Want to Become a Scientist?- Students prepare and give oral presentations about assigned scientists and the accomplishments of the scientists after completing research and written reports on their subjects. To make this interesting and fun for the students and teacher, each student can be instructed to create and wear a costume to "become" their designated scientist.
7. Digging Up Details on Worms: Using the Language of Science in an Inquiry Study- Foregrounding scientific vocabulary, this integrated lesson invites students to research worms in order to create a classroom habitat.
8. False Assumptions Can Get You In Trouble- Little deceptive problem stories are presented to the class, and students are challenged to solve each problem by asking only yes/no questions.
9. Find the Washer- A closed box is shown to the class. It can be seen that 3 wires run through the box lengthwise and 3 more run through it widthwise, creating a grid of 6 crossed wires.
10. I Wonder: Writing Scientific Explanations With Students- This lesson encourages second-grade students to ask questions about a specific topic, choose a particular question to explore in detail, and research the question using a variety of resources.
11. Inquiring Minds Want To Know - Inquiring minds participate in an inquiry-based lesson plan which has them construct an experiment in a scientifically valid way that will shed light on the controversy of nature vs nurture. This is lesson three of the unit, Twin Traits.
12. Introduction to the Scientific Method- This series helps students understand the process of the scientific method. The series begins by introducing scientific processes and how they relate to everyday life. We then begin to break down each step of the scientific method. We ask students to identify the correct order of steps and formulate a hypothesis. The series walk students through each step and provides a detailed explanation and provides practice using each step.
13. Introduction to the Scientific Method- The main objective of this lesson is to get the students involved in a class activity while introducing the process of the scientific method.
14. It Won't Budge: Balloon- Through use of a "silent teacher" demonstration, students use the scientific method to discover the principle behind the balloon not being inflated.
15. Just Passing Through- Students will investigate soils and observe how water moves through soil, how soil properties affect flow rate and water holding capacity.
16. More Than Meets the Eye- In this lesson, students mirror Archimedes' method for developing and understanding scientific principles.
17. Mysterious Bubbles- This is a lesson about bubble shape and movement.
18. Mystery Powder Investigation- During this lesson, students will work individually to identify a mystery powder.
19. One Giant Leap- In this lesson, students examine important scientific advancements and discoveries of the twentieth century by working in teams to create chapters for a class book on this topic.
20. Oyster Shell Observation- Students use oyster shells to observe and identify specific attributes and communicate those in writing to other classmates. This activity helps students to master proper scientific observation and communication.
21. Palpating Pachyderms- This lesson is built around the poem by John Godfrey Saxe (1816-1887): "The Blind Men and the Elephant".
22. Plant and Animal Cells Lesson Plan- Students will be able to effectively engage in the lab by using their scientific reasoning skills to create different analogies about different cell parts.
23. Plants, Soil, and Nutrients- In this hands-on activity, students will conduct an experiment that will help them understand the functions of plants. Furthermore, the students will use the scientific method to assist them in their explorations.
24. Probes, Exploration & Application- This lesson incorporates the learning cycle format with space science material. The lesson examines some of the benefits of the space program to our life on Earth.
25. Red, Green, and Blue Mystery Liquids! Hypothesis or Inference?- Students are actively involved in the scientific method and inquiry as they form quick hypotheses based upon a teacher set of mystery liquids. Students will determine they need to make additional observations of the liquids to test their initial hypotheses and form inferences.
26. Roll With The Punches: Depression Era Machinery- Groups construct models of simple and complicated machines with Legos. Then they design an experiment using the scientific method.
27. The Brine Shrimp Project- To design and conduct a laboratory investigation to determine how different factors may affect the hatching and development of brine shrimp eggs.
28. The Scientific Method- Children appreciate that the scientific method is trial and error. Children understand the scientific process, beginning with the problem, then stating the hypothesis.
29. The Scientific Method Using Mystery Powders- Use a gift wrapped box as a motivational technique to introduce the scientific process/method.
30. Variable Skies- In this lesson, students examine factors which affect a vortex and create model tornadoes. They then identify variables, pose a testable question, and perform an experiment using the scientific method.
31. Science Role Plays- Small groups of students use their imagination in cooperative efforts to role play processes in Science. Each student in the group 'plays' the 'part' of one part of the process. The other groups then watch as each group acts out their version of the process.
32. Scientific Method - A Way to Solve a Problem- A complete unit plan.
33. Scientific Method and Crystal Growth- Students use a hands-on experiment in crystal growth to learn about the nature of science as inquiry. In addition to science as inquiry, the students will learn about mineral crystallization and rates of crystal growth.
34. Scientific Method Daily Basis Lesson Plan- Students will be able to focus on the practical experience in forensic investigation. Lesson to span two class periods.
35. Scientific Method Lesson Plan- The student will be able to apply all the steps in the scientific method to an experiment given to them by their teacher. The student will be able to utilize science process skills (scientific method) to engage in scientific inquiry.
36. Scientific Method - "The Big Ahah"- The students will be able to use the scientific method, understand it's importance to good scientific experimentation and provide justification for it's use.
37. Solving a Problem with the Scientific Method- Students will use the scientific method to determine the similarity or difference in 2 liquids.
38. Sunny Delight- Students are introduced to the scientific method to complete experiments on the sun and find out how heat from the sun has varying effects depending on the surface it strikes.
39. Testing Termites to Discover- Students utilize open inquiry and the scientific method to discover how termites respond to their environment.
40. Up, Up and Away with the Scientific Method- Up, Up and Away with the Scientific Method introduces the scientific method to kick off the school year or as science fair time arrives. Help your students use the scientific method to design a way for a balloon to be suspended between the floor and ceiling.
41. Walking on Thin Ice?- In this lesson, students examine scientific evidence of changes in the Arctic ice cover. Students participate in a simulation of an international conference and debate the relationship between global warming and changes in the arctic ice cover.
42. Wet Heads - The lesson will enable students to complete a lesson of scientific inquiry and use the steps in the scientific method to solve a problem. Students will determine the amount of water drops needed to cover the heads of various coins, including a penny, nickel, dime, and quarter.
43. What Did They Say? Interpretation of Criticism- Through the group reading of pre-selected critiques, students will learn aesthetic qualities and terms of art criticism. They will then pretend to be famous critics and, as a small group, construct a review of a given artwork.
44. Whodunit?- The purpose of this lesson is to practice using the scientific method with a theoretical problem and provide students with the information management skills necessary to understand and creatively analyze the cause and effect(s) of an event.