You will need a bag of M&M's and this form.

It's relative simple.  First review the scientific method with the kids.  Then have them come up with a question to ask about the bag.  My kids wanted to know how many of each color was in the bag.  Next they made a predicition/hypothesis of how many of each color there was.  Then they sorted into different piles and counted.  They recorded the information on the science form and drew conclusions.  They also compared each others results with their own.  They used the results from all their experiments to come up with an average for each color found in the bags.  Of course you have to eat the M&M's when your done :o)  It's an easy, tasty experiment that gets the basic point across.  We followed the form to help us go throught the steps and we talked about how you have to do an experiment several times to get a solid conclusion.

Vocabulary:  variable, controlled, reasoning, objective, bias, dependent, independent, identical, repeat, conclusion, problem, hypothesis, observation, data, research, inductive, deductive, prediction, replication, quantitative, statistic, theory

Introduce the Scientific Method using this power point presentation.  Make sure to talk about each step to help them get a clear understanding. (Using the following example to help explain it)

http://www.chariho.k12.ri.us/faculty/kkvre/1

The scientific method is a very important part of our lives and the most important thing for scientist.  We use the scientific method everyday without even realizing it.  For instance you decide you want to go for a bike ride.  You then go out to get on your bike only to discover that the tire is flat.  Your first thought will be why is my tire flat? (The question)  You then think back to the last time you had a flat or maybe you ask your dad why you have a flat. (Research)  You hypothesis that maybe it is because your tire has a hole.  You then go through the procedure of looking for the hole.  You then observe that there is a hole and go about repairing it.  You pump up the tire after you patch it to see if that was the reason for the flat.  When the tire holds air you have concluded that yes that was the reason for the flat tire.  This is just one example of how we use it everyday to answer questions in our life.  We often use logic and reason to find the answers to problems in our everyday life. 

Often people let emotions get in the way of drawing the conclusion.  It is very important to follow the procedure to get accurate results.  If we let our emotions manipulate the results then we have not truly followed the scientific method because we are being bias, reflecting our belief unto the results and procedure.

Then give them this printout to keep in their folders for future reference.

http://www.chariho.k12.ri.us/faculty/kkvre/smethorg.htm

We are now going to visit this site and learn about how not following the scientific method can give you some incorrect conclusions. (we’ll do this together to so the younger guys can get a good understanding)

http://biology.clc.uc.edu/courses/bio104/sci_meth.htm

I will then have the older kids (7^th and up) read this site to learn a more in-depth explanation of the scientific method including the different types of hypothesis.

I will have the other kids read this site.  (3^rd-6^th)

Now we get to do the fun part learning the scientific method through practice. Remember to do several of the experiments so that they get the scientific method down and have a good understanding of it.

Don’t forget to use the scientific report form to record your experiments on.

http://chasesc.com/CHASEScienceExperimentForm.pdf

Scientific method crossword puzzle

http://www.chariho.k12.ri.us/faculty/kkvre/smcrosswrd.html

Scientific method experiment drops on a penny

http://www.csc.edu/msp/msp/Drops%20on%20a%20Penny.pdf

3 hole soda bottle

http://www.indiana.edu/%7eensiweb/lessons/threehol.html

M & M’s and the scientific method

Use the scientific method to make the best bubble solution

http://www.zurqui.com/crinfocus/bubble/form.html

Here is a variety of experiments to use applying the scientific method

http://www.mcrel.org/whelmers/

Experiment with popcorn

http://www.jollytime.com/kids_corner/science6.asp

Consumer challenge in the classroom

Now that we have learned about the scientific method and how to use it in some experiments use these steps to design your own project.

http://www.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/cf/SciProjIntro.html