Research Report #14:

Lesson Plans on the Scientific Method

Lessons on the Scientific Method Should Be Taught Across the Curriculum

With knowledge doubling at an ever-increasing rate, we have no choice but to teach the scientific method model. There is even a frightening forecast that knowledge will double every 73 days by the year 2020 – and that is only a few years away! So more than ever we must know how to use method.

The scientific method (SM-14) is the basic method or guide by which we originate, refine, extend, and apply knowledge in all fields – through problem origination, prevention, solution, and challenge of solution. This model formula should be taught across the curriculum in all grades. It is essential in the teaching of:

Here Is How this Scientific Method Lesson Plan Relates to Subjects in the Curriculum

In the teaching of English and other languages: Early in my research, I wondered how the scientific method could aid in teaching English. Then a business associate complained that while his staff could read, they seemed to have trouble comprehending what they had been reading – Aha! To comprehend what you read and to write effectively, you must be educated and trained in problem origination, prevention, solution, and challenge of solution. You must know what concepts are, be able to spot them, and abstract the reasoning and principle thoughts that have been expressed.

Then a chart came from the Council for Basic Education. Under their vision of what English Standards should be, point three says: “Engage in fluent, responsible speech and writing; analyze, classify, compare, formulate hypotheses, make inferences, draw conclusions from information at school and in the world; and solve problems, both rationally and intuitively.” This is a close description of the scientific method (SM-14).

There is also now a movement to teach students to “write across the curriculum.” This involves putting their thinking, research, problem solutions, portfolios, etc. into writing. SM-14 is a valuable tool and guide in all subject areas. Thus, it should be taught as part of English and foreign language courses in grades K to 16. Use The Scientific Method Today booklet for lesson materials.

Scientific Method Lesson Plans – Importance to the Teaching of Geography, History, Social Studies, and the Arts

Again, visions listed by the Council for Basic Education (as to what the standards should be for these subjects) were the type that would require the scientific method (SM-14).

Importance to Vocational Education of Problem Solving Competencies

Gene Bottoms, Director of High Schools that Work, in discussing reform principles for vocational education, said, “Simply knowing how to perform a routine task is not enough in today’s increasingly complex workplace. Career-bound students need math, science, language arts, technical and problem-solving competencies to get and hold a good job.”

Scientific Method for Kids – Introduction to the Scientific Method

Here I present subjects for a lesson plan template on the scientific method. This would be taught before details on each step, hands on activities, or scientific method lab activities.

1. History of the scientific method – the development of the scientific method over the centuries.
2. Importance of the scientific method as the best of all methods for reliable knowledge.
3. Definition of the scientific method. Scientific method vs. scientific methods. Mental activity steps or stages.
4. Science and the scientific method. What is a science?
5. Scientific method theory on the value of method.
6. Scientific method process is a general problem solving method for all fields, including our personal lives.
7. The 11 steps or stages to the scientific method and the SM-14 model formula and the three supporting ingredients.
8. Explanation of the three supporting ingredients.

Future Scientific Method Activities

Scientific method steps. Study details of each step or stage and the ingredients.

Lessons on the scientific method. While doing scientific method of inquiry on hands on projects or scientific method lab work or scientific method experiments.

Scientific method problem. Assign each student a problem to solve or allow students to use scientific method observation to select their own problem.

Lessons on innovation, creativity and brainstorming. Develop kids’ ability to be creative so they continue to be creative as they get older.

Students’ Personal SM-14 Notebook – Scientific Method Notes

Students would start their study of the scientific method of inquiry with one 8 ½ x 11 inch looseleaf notebook. This would expand into a series of notebooks as students progress through grades, to be used for both learning and review. Students could also scan the material into their own computers, as I allow free usage.

Sections of Students’ SM-14 Notebook

Section A – Steps or Stages and Ingredients of the Scientific Method (SM-14)
This section would contain pages on the stages and ingredients of SM-14 similar to those in The Scientific Method Today booklet. Supplemental pages would be added as various subjects are taught in more detail.

Section B – Thinking Skills – All Types as Part of the Scientific Method Lesson
A looseleaf sheet for each of the most used thinking skills, with supplements prepared when necessary. One series for students and matching ones for teachers.

Section C – Methods and Processes Used under the SM-14 Steps or Stages and Ingredients
It is often difficult to classify what is a thinking skill and what is a method or process. A national study committee could standardize this and recommend those most often used and most important.

The looseleaf format makes review and change easy. It is easily scanned for use on a computer and in multimedia presentations. This is especially important as the number of sheets increases.

Section D – Scientific Method Activities on Specific Subject Areas from Arts to Zoology for Learning the Scientific Method
Each domain, in addition to aiding in teaching general thinking skills and methods, would teach special skills and methods peculiar to or especially important in that particular field.

Additional sections of the notebook may be varied and personalized for teaching scientific method process.

Student Abilities and Motivation Set the Pace of Learning the Scientific Method

This plan would call for frequent application of SM-14 by students. Those who have the ability or motivation to exceed any standards of achievement could easily be provided for by allowing them to originate more difficult problems to solve and/or an expanded series of skills and methods.