Manning 1
Brian Manning
Section: L
10/3 /2014
Alexander Graham Bell Reflective Essay
The scientific method is a process used by scientists to design, perform, and analyze
experiments. The process consists of six main steps. The first step requires the scientist to make
an observation that leads him or her to ask a question. The second step is researching the
question. Background research gives the scientist the information needed to complete the third
step, which is constructing a hypothesis. The hypothesis is the scientist’s educated prediction that
answers his original question. Next, the hypothesis is tested by performing an experiment. The
experiment will produce data that either supports or contradicts his or her hypothesis. After the
scientist performs the experiment he or she must analyze the data and draw conclusions. After
analyzing the data, he or she will be able to draw conclusions that either support or contradict the
hypothesis. Finally, the scientist will present his or her conclusions to colleagues and reviewers.
They will provide feedback on scientist’s work. Another scientist may also use the finding of one
experiment as background data for a new experiment. Scientists expand on each other’s work
and test new hypotheses that lead to further scientific discoveries.
Alexander Graham Bell constructed the June Bug in 1909 as part of his goal to produce
gas-powered airplanes. In 1907, Bell established the Aerial Experiment Association with Glen
Curtis, William “Casey” Baldwin, Thomas Selfridge, and J.A.D. Curdy. The goal of this
association was to create airborne vehicles. By 1909, the association had produced four
airplanes, including the Silver Dart and the June Bug. The most successful of the planes, the
Silver Dart, completed the first successful powered flight in Canada on February 3, 1909
Manning 2
(Inventor and scientist, 1904). The chosen piece is an image of the June Bug found in a
laboratory notebook that was patented on April 19, 1904.
The image of the June Bug is an example of performing an experiment. In the image, Bell
and his colleagues are testing their airplane. Bell hypothesized that his plane would fly based on
his knowledge of propellers and architecture. However, he needed to perform the experiment to
prove that the plane would fly in the way that he intended. Using his conclusions from the
experiment of the June Bug, Bell asked new questions and performed new experiments.
Continued experimentation ultimately resulted in the success of the Silver Dart in 1903 (Inventor
and scientist). The image of the June Bug is an example of performing an experiment.
Bell’s experimentation with the June Bug reminds me of when I constructed a boat dock.
I built a new boat dock to replace our old one, which was rotting. The new dock was 10x2
meters, which was smaller than the original (12x2.5 meters). The smaller width of the dock and
larger size of the dock floats lowered the center of gravity. As a result, the new dock was much
less stable. Similar to the experiment performed by Bell with the June Bug, I needed to construct
the dock to see if it would work the way that I wanted it to. Even though I did background
research, I could not account for every variable when I built the dock. Despite the dock’s
instability, I gained valuable knowledge from the process of constructing it. I will apply this
knowledge in the future to help me refine and adapt my ideas. Although it would cost too much
to rebuild the dock, I plan to add one more piece to the existing platform. The last piece will be
2.5x4 meters, so it will give the dock an L shape. My hypothesis is that the L shape will help to
stabilize the dock as a whole. Similar to Bell, I built my product knowing that there was a chance
that it would not work as expected. Bell’s plane, the June Bug, could fly, but Bell found that it
did not work exactly how he wanted it to. Therefore, he built a new plane, the Silver Dart. Bell
Manning 3
followed the scientific method and concluded that the June Bug did not give him the results he
wanted. Therefore, he cycled to the beginning of the scientific method and built a new and
improved plane. Both Bell and I needed to refine and adapt our products to obtain the best
results. The construction and adaption of the dock relates to Bell’s construction and adaption of
the June Bug.
The analysis of the Bell’s June Bug has influenced the approach that I will take as I move
forward and embark on my STEM project. When I begin my STEM project, I will research my
topic adequately before using any resources. As I design and construct the prototype my goal
will be to account for as many factors as possible. However, taking risks and testing my ideas
will also help to make my project a success. A prototype that fails will teach me just as much as
a successful prototype will. If my experiment with the prototype yields data that does not support
my hypothesis, I know that I can either modify the prototype or provide reasoning for the
unexpected results. As a result of my reflection on the image of the June Bug I now understand
the importance of taking risks and learning from my mistakes as I embark on my STEM project.
Literature Cited
Inventor and scientist. (n.d.). Retrieved from Library of Congress database.
Photograph of the June Bug [Photograph]. (1904, April 19) Alexander Graham Bell Family
Papers at the Library of Congress. Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Manning 4