Scientific Inquiry
Designed by Lee Ann Helsing
August 2011
Goals:
 The
main goal of this lesson is to teach
students to use their five senses to
complete a scientific investigation.
 Students will learn the steps to use in a
scientific investigation.
 At the end of this lesson students will have
an opportunity to choose an experiment
to practice these skills.
Standards:
Scientific Investigation, Reasoning, and Logic:
1.1
The student will conduct investigations in which
a)differences in physical properties are observed using the
senses; b)simple tools are used to enhance observations;
c)objects or events are classified and arranged according to
attributes or properties; d)observations and data are
communicated orally and with simple graphs, pictures, written
statements, and numbers; e)length, mass, and volume are
measured using standard and nonstandard units; f)predictions
are based on patterns of observation rather than random
guesses; g)simple experiments are conducted to answer
questions; and h)inferences are made and conclusions are
drawn about familiar objects and events.

Take a minute to think about
this question:
 What
would it be like to be a real
scientist?
 Do you have 5 senses?
 Can you use your 5 senses?
YES!
You are a scientist!
You can use your sense of taste, touch,
smell, sight, and hearing to make careful
observations during a scientific
investigation!
Next Slide
Watch this video about using
the scientific method.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytX-
0nxZUCk&NR=1&feature=fvwp
Watch this video to hear a rap
song about the scientific
method.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xg4bI
puvRw&feature=related
Do you think scientists use
tools?
YES
No
I’m sorry, that is not the correct
answer.
 Scientists
actually use many tools to
conduct an investigation. Please click the
button below to learn more.
Press Here for the
Correct Answer
Correct! Scientists use many
tools to conduct investigations!
These are just a few examples.
Can you think of others?
Let’s break this process down.
What do you wonder about this
experiment? Write your question down in
your lab journal.
 Predict
what you think will happen in the
experiment. Write it down.
 Plan your experiment. What tools will you
need? What are the steps? What
questions do you want to answer. How
will you present the information?
 Use
your five senses to make careful
observations. Record these observations
in a science lab notebook.
 Record
all of your observations. Reflect
on this information and think about how it
compares to your predictions. Have you
answered your questions? Decide on a
way to present what you have learned
after completing this assignment.
 Think
about what you have observed.
Were your predictions correct? What
have you learned?
 How
are you going to share what you
have learned with others?
Let’s Practice Being a Scientist!
 Go
to the following site to choose an
experiment to complete with your small
group. You must have your lab approved
by your teacher before you begin.
 http://www.kids-science-
experiments.com/
Bibliography
This presentation was designed by Lee Ann Helsing.
Videos:
“How to Conduct an Experiment Using the Scientific
Method.” Howcast.com. August 16, 2010. Online
video clip. Howcast. 7 August 2011.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytX0nxZUCk&NR=1&feature=fvwp
“Scientific Method Rap Video.” FricknFrack 1000.
October 10, 2010. Online video clip. You Tube. 7
August 2011.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xg4bIpuvRw&fe
ature=related