The Scientific Method Web Quest
Introduction
Did you know that scientists have a process they follow when they do their jobs? It’s called the
Scientific Method. Scientists don’t just sit down, come up with an idea, and then run out and share
it with everyone.
Your assignment is to learn about how scientists do their work.
Write your papers using Pages and you can save it as a word document and put it in your
eBackpack folder to work on it at home.
Submit both assignments to the appropriate eBackpack folders. Go to:
o My class
o Find the “Scientific Method Web Quest” folder
o Submit assignment #1 into the folder that says “Scientific Method Webquest Assignment
#1”
o Submit assignment #2 into the folder that says “Scientific Method Webquest Assignment
#2
Assignment #1: Scientific Method paper (Due 10.29.14)
Write a one to two-page paper on the Scientific Method.
 For a page with 1 inch margins, 12 point Times New Roman font, and minimal spacing
elements, a good rule of thumb is 500 words for a single spaced page and 250 words for a
double spaced page.
Your paper must include the following:
Format
1. Heading
2. Title
3. Double spaced
4. Font size-12pt
5. Include a “works cited” page at the end of your paper.
The body of the paper
1. Answer: “What is the Scientific Method?”
2. List the steps of the Scientific Method
3. Look at different websites and identify any differences you may find between the possible
steps of the Scientific Method, which there are some.
4. Explain how scientists use the Scientific Method
5. Explain how you use the Scientific Method outside the classroom
Resources
1. http://www.biology4kids.com/files/studies_scimethod.html
2. http://www.ipl.org/div/projectguide/scientificmethod.html
3. http://teacher.pas.rochester.edu/phy_labs/AppendixE/AppendixE.html
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4. http://a2zhomeschooling.com/explore/science_experiments_kids/science_experiments_ki
ds/
5. http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fairprojects/project_scientific_method.shtml#overviewofthescientificmethod
6. http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/scientific-experiments/scientificmethod3.htm https://explorable.com/history-of-the-scientific-method
7. http://scientificmethod.com/sm5_smhistory.html
Assignment #2: “What if?” paper
Select a question. Explain how you would use the Scientific Method to answer the question.
Describe an experiment you could do to answer the question.
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How does water move through a plant?
Which soap kills the most germs?
Can a potato generate electricity?
Can I hit a baseball better with a wooden bat or an aluminum bat?
Do vegetables grown using pesticides differ in flavor from those grown organically?
How much trash does the average household in my community create per week? How does
this compare with national average?
Does presoaking seeds affect the germination and growth of plants?
Can I blow square bubbles?
How does acid rain affect plants?
Your paper must have the following information:
Format
1. Heading
2. Title
3. Double spaced
4. Font size-12pt
The body of the paper
1. Identify the question you are answering in the title?
2. Explain how you would use the Scientific Method to answer the question
3. Describe an experiment you could perform to answer the question.
 Include the following:
o List ALL the possible independent variables
o List ALL the possible dependent variables
o Ask a question. How will systematically changing this “I” affect this “D”? Using
the appropriate
o List ALL the controls NOT BEING TESTED
o Write possible experimental procedures
o Write down what type of data you might collect and provide and example of the
Data Table
o Create a possible graph you might use for your chosen experiment and
remember to use the DRY MIX and TAILS
o Explain the possible information you might share in your conclusion
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Conclusion:
You will be using the Scientific Method, in some form, all through your life. It is important you
understand how it works. Have fun working on this project!
Example of a double spaced paper:
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