The Scientific Method

how science works · experiments · discovery · thinking

Asking smart questions. A scientist starts by noticing something in the world and wondering why it happens. Good scientists are curious about everything, from why plants grow toward light to how soap cleans your hands.

Making an educated guess. Before experimenting, scientists make a hypothesis (a testable guess) about what they think will happen. This guess should be based on what they already know, not just a wild idea.

Testing with experiments. Scientists carefully design experiments to test their hypothesis. They change one thing at a time and measure what happens, keeping everything else the same so they can see the real cause and effect.

Looking at the numbers. Scientists record their results and look for patterns in the data. Sometimes the numbers tell them their hypothesis was right, and sometimes the numbers prove them wrong.

Learning and improving. If the experiment didn't work the way they guessed, scientists don't give up. They adjust their hypothesis and try again, or ask a brand new question. This cycle of testing and learning never really stops.