Webquest: The Scientific Method

Welcome!

2020-05-16T16:23:00.000-07:00

Hello Junior Scientists!

This quest is about learning to be a scientist by creating an experiment using seeds and using the scientific method to do it. Did you know that all of us who have curiosities or questions and try to figure it out on our own are scientists? That is all it takes! You don't have to know formulas you simply need a question and you need to figure out a way to come up with an answer. All it is is simple problem solving, which everyone has the capability of doing.

Your first job is to learn about the scientific method, which is the steps a scientist takes to solve a problem. Click on the 2nd link under the table of contents titled, 'Scientific Method' to begin your job as a scientist.

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Teacher Notes

2007-06-03T23:19:00.001-07:00

Hello fellow teachers!

I decided to create a webquest to help students learn about scientific inquiry in a meaningful way. This webquest is designed for older elementary students and explores the nature of inquiry along with the magic of seed growth.

You may extend the project to last a week, two weeks, or whatever you want. I would give the students at least a week to make observations.

I try to give my students options, so the project is a bit open-ended. The project may be a little too open-ended for some students so just make sure you are keeping track of student progress. You may even want them to write you a proposal for their experiment.

To grade this project I would simply check their journal entries to make sure that they have included all of the elements of the scientific method and that it makes sense.

I hope you enjoy exploring the wonders of nature with your students!

Sincerely,
Jessica Kellar

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Grow Your Own!

2007-05-16T16:25:00.000-07:00

You now should have the basic knowledge of seed growth and the scientific method. You learned that plants need water, sun, and food in order to grow and these factors can vary.
You also learned that the scientific method has steps: Question, research, hypothesis, procedure/method, data, observations, and a conclusion. I want you to put your knowledge to work! I want you to create an experiment about seed growth.

Some ideas are:

1. Measure the growth rate of different kinds of seeds taken care of with the same conditions.

2. Measure the growth rate of the same kinds of seeds taken care of with the same conditions.

3. Measure the growth rate of the same kinds of seeds taken care of with different conditions.

These are a few ideas but you can create whatever kind of experiment you want to! I will provide whatever kind of materials you will need, just let me know.
You can work in groups or by yourself but we are essentially all working together because after our experiments we will get together as a class to review our results.

You will need to create a journal that describes your experiment. Your journal should include the 7 elements of the scientific method that we described. It would probably be easiest if you had a journal with at least 7 pages and reserved one page for each of the elements.

Most importantly, HAVE FUN. Don't be afraid to ask ANY questions. I am here for you.

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The Scientific Method

2007-05-16T16:24:00.000-07:00

The first thing I would like you to do in your quest to learn more about being a scientist and collecting data is to check out this powerpoint that another teacher created to help students understand the scientific method. But before you click on the 'Powerpoint' link below, open up the 'Crossword' link and print out the crossword so you can complete it as you are watching the slideshow.

Powerpoint

Crossword

The next link shows us a chart that gives us a good overview of the scientific method. If you could not complete the crossword with the slideshow, use this chart to complete it.

Chart

When you have completed the crossword, you are ready to move on to the next quest: How to Grow a Seed.

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How to Grow a Seed

2007-05-16T16:23:00.002-07:00

Now that you know a bit about the scientific method, you need to learn about plant growth.
What does a seed need in order to grow? Plants have very similar and basic needs as humans do:

1. Water

2. Sun

3. Food

This may seem very simple, but it is a bit more complex. Every kind of plant has different needs. You have to collect information about specific needs of specific plants. These are some of the questions to consider:

1. How much water will you feed it?

2. What will the environment be like? (temperature, amount of sun, amount of darkness, etc.)

3. What will you grow it in? (potting soil, seed starter soil, just water, on a paper towel, etc.)

4. What will you feed it? (synthetic fertilizer, organic fertilizer, just water, etc.)

Now that you know a bit about options of how to sprout a seed, I would like you to play a game by clicking on the link below. This game allows you to 'grow' a seed by controlling its water levels and sunlight levels.

Game

After you have mastered the game by taking good care of your seed, you are ready to go on to 'The Project.'

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