The scientific method is a systematic process for studying observations about the world. What is the purpose of the scientific method? Essentially, it provides a framework for investigating phenomena and solving problems.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

If you’re a teacher who is leading a lesson on the scientific method in an elementary school classroom, then you might explain to your students that the scientific method is how people can figure out how the world works and why certain things happen the way they do.

At the high school level, a biology or other STEM teacher might tell students that the scientific method is a way of adding to the body of knowledge about a scientific theory or concept. It’s also important to explain to students that in the science world, a theory isn’t just an unproven guess; it’s actually a well-tested explanation that is supported by substantial evidence and is generally accepted as true.^{(See disclaimer 2)}

The scientific method is essential because it allows scientists to uncover new information that is more likely to be accurate, objective and free of biases. Using the scientific method can result in empirical evidence that may either disprove hypotheses or substantiate claims or theories. In short, scientists can use the scientific method to make conclusions based on evidence, rather than personal and cultural beliefs, opinions, personal values or personal experiences.^{(See disclaimer 3)}

Minimizing bias is crucial for scientific experimentation. All scientists bring their own personal biases to the lab, even if they have the best of intentions not to. Following the scientific method helps reduce the risk that implicit biases will skew the results.^{(See disclaimer 3)}

Note that the scientific method is not completely foolproof in this regard. It’s still possible for scientists to fall victim to biases. One example is confirmation bias, in which scientists tend to embrace the data that support their hypothesis while ignoring the data that do not.^{(See disclaimer 3)}

The scientific method provides a foundation for systematic inquiry and critical thinking. Its importance stems from the fact that it:

• Improves accuracy and reliability of data
• Offers a systematic, structured approach that works well in all scientific disciplines
• Helps shed light on cause-and-effect relationships
• Is repeatable, which allows for peer review
• Promotes evidence-based thought processes

After explaining to your students the definition and purpose of the scientific method, you can outline the steps for them on the whiteboard or with printed handouts.

What is the scientific method’s process? The steps of the scientific method are as follows:^{(See disclaimer 1,2)}

• Step 1: Observation. The process starts by making an observation about a topic.
• Step 2: Question. Based on your observation, develop a question that you would like to answer.
• Step 3: Hypothesis. A hypothesis is an untested theory that might answer the question.
• Step 4: Predictions. If the hypothesis is correct, what is the anticipated outcome?
• Step 5: Experiment. Test the hypothesis by designing and implementing an experiment.
• Step 6: Analysis and Iteration. Analyze the results of the experiment. If the results do not prove the hypothesis to be correct, then develop another hypothesis and design a new experiment. If the hypothesis is shown to be correct, then the next hypothesis could concern why it worked.

When teaching the scientific method to children, it’s important to emphasize that the scientific process is rarely satisfied by only one cycle of the scientific method. Instead, scientists typically go through many rounds of the scientific method.

At both the elementary and secondary school levels, it helps to reinforce learning through hands-on experimentation. Some scientific method examples for the classroom include: 

• Sink or float: Assemble some objects and a tub of water. Ask students to hypothesize which objects will sink vs. which will float.
• Ice melt: Ask students to hypothesize which factors might make ice melt faster. Time an ice cube melting under various circumstances, such as in the sun vs. shade, with salt vs. no salt, or on a metal plate vs. a plastic surface.
• Apple browning: Ask students to consider what might delay an apple slice from turning brown. Experiment by coating apple slices in various substances, such as lemon juice or water.
• Plant growth: Ask your students to hypothesize which factors encourage more plant growth. Plant numerous seeds in different pots and subject them to different variables, such as more or less water, sunny or shady locations, and near a heat source or farther away from heat.

Teaching the scientific method in your classroom first requires a lecture about what it is, what its purpose is and what the steps are.

You can also:

• Ask your students to brainstorm why following the scientific method is important.
• Discuss some case studies that explore how scientists made breakthroughs using the scientific method.
• Debunk common misconceptions about the scientific method.

You may want to wait to debunk common misconceptions until after the students have conducted an experiment. This allows them to consider how they might have fallen victim to one or more of those misconceptions, and how it might have affected their results.

Some common misconceptions are:

• A disproven hypothesis is a failure.
• The results of one experiment automatically prove the hypothesis to be true.
• Correlation is the same as causation.
• It’s acceptable to ignore the results that don’t substantiate the hypothesis.

These misconceptions can lead to a lively class discussion about the factors that might have affected their experiments. Another way to get students involved in the process is to initiate student-led experimentation. Divide the class into a few groups and ask each group to come up with observations, questions and experiments about the topic of their choosing.

Ideally, your classroom discussions and experiments on your scientific method lesson plan will help inspire curiosity and spark a love of learning amongst your students. It may also help them work toward more informed decision-making in all areas of their life.

Learning about the scientific method may help students develop better critical thinking, analytical reasoning and problem-solving skills. It can promote the importance of objectivity and evidence-based decisions. It can even help students understand the need for adaptability,^{(See disclaimer 4)} particularly if the results of a first experiment do not substantiate their hypothesis, rendering it necessary to develop and test at least one more hypothesis.

Provide resources for further reading for students, particularly at the secondary level, about the scientific process and how scientists have made various breakthroughs.

Ask your students to reflect on the nature and process of science, considering questions such as:

• Is the scientific process always linear?
• How often do scientists repeat the steps to confirm theories or account for different variables?
• How did the scientific process rely on creative, out-of-the-box thinking?
• Is a scientifically supported theory considered absolutely correct or not? That is, could further scientific exploration call into question previous results and analysis?

This last point highlights a fundamental framework of science: As scientists continue to learn more about the world around us, previous theories may be revised in light of new evidence; science learns and evolves continuously.^{(See disclaimer 2)}

Grand Canyon University empowers future teachers to inspire academic excellence in the generations to come. The College of Education offers a wide range of teaching degrees, including the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an Emphasis in STEM degree and the Bachelor of Science in Biology for Secondary Education degree. As an education major at GCU, you’ll examine best practices in classroom management, instructional methods and subject-specific competencies, such as the scientific method.