The Scientific Method
Discover the world around you!
Mrs. Cholak – Grade 6 Science
Scientists ask questions about
the world around them that can be
answered through scientific
investigations.
 Scientists then give explanations
to those questions based on their
research, observations, and data.
Let’s ask some questions!
*** Remember, scientific questions are ones
that can be answered through investigation.
Which of these questions are scientific
questions and which are not?
What makes our bodies shiver?
Should people always be nice?
Do crickets only chirp at night?
Do I always breathe faster when I exercise?
Are girls better cooks then boys?
Do bigger objects roll down hills faster?
Step 1 - Ask a Question
Which paper towel brand is the
most absorbent?
Step 2 – Gather Background
Information/Research
Paper towel companies are always going back and forth
about which is the most absorbent. This is because when
consumers go to buy the paper towel, they are looking
for a paper towel brand that will soak up the most mess.
BIG MESS!!
Step 3 – Develop a HYPOTHESIS
- A possible explanation for your question.
This is not a FACT….
… It is an EDUCATED GUESS.
We will ALWAYS write our Hypothesis in an IF, THEN format
Let’s Practice …
Step 4 - Design your Experiment
Here is where it gets a little tricky so be
sure you are paying ATTENTION!!
The VARIABLES in your Experiment:
1. Manipulated Variable – the variable you are
changing on purpose.
2. Responding Variable – the variable that
changes in response to your manipulated variable.
3. Control Variables – All other variables in the
experiment must be kept the same.
1. What is the MANIPULATED variable in our paper towel
experiment??
The different types of paper towels
2. What is the RESPONDING variable in our experiment.
The amount of water absorbed
3. What are some variables we are controlling?
1. The amount of water each towel is given to absorb
2. The length of time each towel is given to absorb the water
Materials
2 sheets of Bounty paper towel
2 sheets of “Other” paper towel
Aluminum pan
Timer
1 beaker filled with 200 mls of water
1 50 ml graduated cylinder
1 25 ml graduated cylinder
Funnel
Pencil
Lab Sheet
Step 5 - Record your Data and Observations
Data Table
paper towel
brand
water
water
average
absorbed trial absorbed trial
water
1 (ml)
2 (ml)
absorbed (ml)
Bounty
School
Observations
Graph Your Data
Create a bar graph showing your results. Use your data table
Which Paper Towel Absorbs the Most Water?
Water
Absorbed
(ml)
Bounty
School
Paper Towel Brand
Step 6 – Interpret Data and Draw Conclusions
A conclusion is a summary of what you have learned throughout your
experiment.
Was you Hypothesis Correct?
What were some things in this experiment that may have affected the
results?
Step 7 – Draw a Conclusion
**Your conclusion is based on the observations
you made and the data you recorded
Let’s Work Through Our Class Lab