The Scientific Method

The scientific method is a very natural way to discover the answers to unknown questions. It is so natural that it is possible to perform the steps without realizing it. I was feeling a bit guilty because we haven't covered this topic. Then I realized we were already doing it. Here's one example of the scientific method in action.

Jewelry cleaning machines are great at cleaning coins.....
.....but there are many rules for not mixing metals and which cleaners should be used with which coins.

My son used the scientific method to discover some of these rules. 

Scientific Method
Ask a question
Research the answer
Construct a hypothesis
Test hypothesis by doing an experiment
Analyze data and draw conclusions
Communicate results

Ask a question - Will the jewelry cleaning machine work on pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters?

Research the answer - Members of the local metal detecting club said they have used jewelry cleaning machines to clean coins with great success.

Construct a hypothesis - It will work on pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters.

Test the hypothesis - He thought there was a possibility that it wouldn't work and would even ruin the coins, so he asked to test mine. In addition, the first time he ran the machine he put in only one coin.

He tested each type of coin separately.

Analyze the results - He spent a lot of time inspecting the cleaned coins and noticed that he could read the date much easier on some of the cleaned coins.

Communicate the results - He was excited to tell me that the dimes and quarters became much cleaner, but the pennies and nickles didn't change much.




This post is linked to: 
Sunday Science
Link and Learn
Homegrown Learners
Crayon Freckles
TGIF Linky
Hammock Tracks

7 comments:

  1. We're studying the scientific method also. My 7 year old is MAJORLY into it!! Yours looks fun!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Visiting from TGIF Friday. I'd like to invite you to my Friday Flash Blog, where you can share your best blog entry of the week! The party goes on ALL weekend. And who knows, you may just get featured next week.

    Jennifer
    thejennyevolution.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I agree, kids naturally use the scientific method if left to explore. I love how your son investigated how to clean coins in the jewellery cleaning machine.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a fun way to learn about scientific method.
    ]Blessings, Dawn

    ReplyDelete
  5. We have been learning about the scientific method here lately. This afternoon is our homeschool group's science fair and my kiddos have been busy getting their projects ready:)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I really like how you were able to observe how your son used the scientific method naturally.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Isn't it amazing how many things we feel guilty about because we didn't check it off the list as learned? The fact is they did learn it...we just didn't have it scheduled and ready to teach. LOL Thanks for sharing at Homeschool Review.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...