https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/aapd/CNS/SCI230/ScientificMethodActivity/index.html
Note from my professor: In the past, I have had students not do so well on the Scientific Method
Assignment. Please read the instructions below, and be sure to ask questions if you have them at all.
Make sure that your paper is at least 700 words. Feel free to call me if you have any questions. It is
important for you to do well on this assignment, as it is worth 90 points. There are 2 different parts of
this assignment.
First of all, you need to go to the Scientific Method website provided in the Materials section of the
classroom. You then need to pick a hypothesis and prediction from the list that they give you. Then you
click on the “Do Your Experiment.” Right below the “Do Your Experiment” they will give you the results
of your “pretend” experiment. You will need to look at the results and comment on the results in your
assignment. You do not have to actually buy plants and do the experiment at home. This is a pretend
experiment.
Then you need to summarize the step-by-step procedure of your “pretend” experiment. What was the
question, what was the hypothesis, how did you set up the testing for the experiment, what are your
results, did your results you got in your pretend experiment refute or support your hypothesis, etc. Then
you would list a new question for the experiment if you were to do further research.
The second part of this assignment is that you need to take a real-life example that you have already done
in a less formal manner using the scientific method. THE SECOND PART OF THIS EXPERIMENT
SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DO WITH PLANTS. For example, one of my students did hers on “What
is the best childproof lock for cabinets?” Other examples would be “What is the best brand of diapers for
having no leaks? or “What is my best route to work to save me gas money and time?” or “What is the best
exercise to help me lose 25 lbs?”, etc. These are just examples of real life experiences where you may
have used the Scientific Method. You would choose your example and then you would list what your
question was, what your hypothesis was, how you set up your experiment, what the results were, if your
results supported or refuted your hypothesis, is a new question necessary, etc.
Please be sure to do both parts of the assignment thoroughly and in detail. Be sure to look through the
whole rubric and act as if you are correcting your assignment. Make sure that you have included every
part of the rubric in your assignment so that you do not lose unnecessary points. Good luck on this
assignment and please be sure to include both parts of this assignment.
Notice the real-life example does not have to have anything to do with plants. In fact, I would suggest
your real-life example not have anything to do with plants at all.
Observation
You grow tomatoes in a small garden each summer. For four years, you have grown the tomatoes in the
same garden each summer without replenishing the soil. You have noticed that the plants have been
bearing fewer and fewer tomatoes in the past few years. You’ve also noticed that the summers have been
cooler and drier.
Hypothesis: The plants need more nutrients.
Prediction:
The tomato plants will bear more tomatoes if I...

remove the old soil and replace with new soil before planting.

mix the soil with plant food before planting.
Prediction:
The tomato plants will bear more tomatoes if I replace the soil with new soil before planting.
Hypothesis:
The plants need more nutrients.
Conclusion:
Based on the graph...

the plants grew more tomatoes when the soil was replaced. My hypothesis is supported.

the plants did not grow more tomatoes when the soil was replaced. My hypothesis is refuted.
Conclusion:
The plants need more nutrients.
Conclusion:
The plants grew more tomatoes when the soil was replaced. My hypothesis is supported.
Congratulations
You used the steps in the scientific method to solve a problem. Click on the Main Menu button and try
another experiment.