THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
Give your idea
a fair test.
Two cups. One question. Change the setup, notice what matters, and leave your thinking on the sheet.
Your paper companions
Filled-in reference
The six-step story
- Observe: the pond freezes sooner than the ocean.
- Ask: why does that happen?
- Explain: propose a testable hypothesis about salt.
- Predict: the source predicts fresh water freezes at 0°C while salt water does not.
- Test: compare identical cups, changing only salt. Keep water amount, cup material, opening and freezer conditions the same.
- Refine: use observations to revise, repeat and ask again.
A fair setup helps isolate a variable. It does not supply results or prove an explanation. Record what actually happens and check whether another scientist can repeat the test.