The Scientific Method

This lesson plan is for Grade 6.

Goals

  1. Introduce students to the scientific method and the concept of designing an experiment to test the predictions of a hypothesis
  2. Differentiate between inductive and deductive reasoning

Objectives

  1. Learn the terminology of the scientific method (observation, hypothesis, prediction, data collection, induction and deduction, conclusion)
  2. Make hypotheses and predictions on individual group’s bags of M&M candies, based on observation of a single demonstration bag.
  3. Draw logical conclusions and make inferences on future data sets of a similar nature

Benchmarks

  • 6.1.1 (Hawaii)

Textbooks

  • “Physical Science” pgs. 10-16
  • “Science” pgs 2-24

Materials

  1. One regular sized bag of regular M&M’s for each group of 3 students, plus one bag for demo
  2. One bag of peanut M&M’s
  3. One large bag of regular M&M’s
  4. Group worksheets (attached)
  5. Definition sheets (attached)
  6. Small scale for weighing candies

Lesson Description

The teacher should introduce the different components of the scientific method to the class, possibly using a flowchart schematic. The teacher will then use one normal size bag of M&M’s and ask the class what sort of questions they might have about its contents (number of candies, number of colors, weight of bag, weight of candy, etc.).  To make informed hypotheses, some observation is needed. The teacher should open the bag and let the class make some observations (don’t let students count the number of candies, but let them observe things like the weight of an individual candy, the number of colors, etc.).  Each group should then make a hypothesis or prediction that answers their question about the candies in the bag, which they will answer using their own group bag during the “data collection” process.  Use the M&M worksheet that is provided.

After the groups compare data sets, they should see that the number of candies and the number of candies of each color varies from bag to bag. The teacher should encourage them to extend their knowledge and make predictions about similar bags of candy, such as a bag of peanut M&Ms or a large bag of M&M’s. They can then compare the data and make determinations about their hypothesis.  Hopefully the students will consider and use the individual weight of an M&M to extrapolate how many candies are in the big bag, and recognize that peanut M&M’s are bigger and therefore there are fewer in a bag.

Resources

  1. Mental Exercises (http://www.okc.cc.ok.us/biologylabs/Documents/Scientific%20Method/Scientific_method.htm) – Website with good mental exercises/real world examples in applying the scientific method
  2. “Think Like a Scientist” (http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/kenny/papers/scientist.html) Fable about a caveman named Fred and his attempts to explain his world scientifically.
  3. Scientific Method Notes (http://sciencespot.net/Media/scimethodwkst.pdf)
  4. Sponge Bob Experimental Logic worsksheet (http://sciencespot.net/Media/scimthdexps.pdf)
  5. Scientific Method Poster – http://home.att.net/~teaching/science/method.pdf
  6. Online Collaborative Experiments (COILS) (http://web.stclair.k12.il.us/splashd/Experimt.htm) – outdoor experiments with other classes across the nation, on a variety of topics. Encourages use of the scientific method with refreshing applications. (Biodegrading, Solar Energy, etc.)

M&M Group Activity

  1. Find a partner and sit with that person(s).
  2. Get 1 bag of M&M’s per group.
  3. Decide on 1 question you would like to answer about your bag of M&M’s.  Write it down.  (DO NOT OPEN BAG)
  4. Guess what the answer to your question might be (hypothesize).  Write it down.  (DO NOT OPEN BAG)
  5. Open your bag of M&M’s and answer your questions (data collection/experimentation)
  6. Also, be sure to count the total number of M&M’s in your bag and the number of each color M&M in your bag.
  7. DO NOT EAT ANY M&M’s YET

Fill in the following information as you work:

  • Question:
  • Hypothesis:
  • Data:
  • Total Number of M&M’s in bag:
  • Number of each color of M&M in bag:

Definition Sheet

The following words will be defined during class. Fill in the definition as you hear it. The teacher will also write the definition on the board.

  • Hypothesis
  • Data Collection
  • Multiple Trials
  • Variance
  • Average
  • Median
  • Mode
  • Histogram
  • Pie Chart
  • Inference