Testing Our Ideas
📖 Learn
After asking a question, scientists test their ideas to find answers. An experiment is a way to test an idea and see what happens. Let's learn how to do simple experiments!
What is an Experiment?
An experiment is a test you do to find out if your idea is right. You try something, watch what happens, and learn from it!
Steps of an Experiment
- Ask a question: What do you want to find out?
- Make a guess (prediction): What do you think will happen?
- Do the test: Try it and watch carefully!
- See what happens: What did you observe?
- Learn: Was your guess right? What did you discover?
Key Words to Know
- Experiment: A test to find out if an idea is true
- Prediction: A guess about what will happen
- Observe: To watch carefully and notice what happens
- Result: What happens after you do the test
💡 Examples
Let's look at some simple experiments you can do.
Example 1: Sink or Float?
Question: Does a rock sink or float in water?
Prediction: I think the rock will sink because it is heavy.
Test: Put the rock in a bowl of water.
Result: The rock sank to the bottom!
What we learned: Heavy things like rocks sink in water.
Example 2: Which Melts Faster?
Question: Does ice melt faster in the sun or shade?
Prediction: I think ice will melt faster in the sun.
Test: Put one ice cube in the sun and one in the shade. Watch them.
Result: The ice cube in the sun melted first!
What we learned: Heat from the sun makes ice melt faster.
Example 3: Do Plants Need Light?
Question: Do plants need light to grow?
Prediction: I think plants need light to grow well.
Test: Put one plant by a window and one in a dark closet. Water them the same.
Result: After a week, the plant by the window looks healthy. The plant in the closet looks pale and weak.
What we learned: Plants need light to grow healthy!
Example 4: Which Ball Bounces Higher?
Question: Does a tennis ball or basketball bounce higher?
Prediction: I think the tennis ball will bounce higher.
Test: Drop both balls from the same height. Watch how high they bounce.
Result: The tennis ball bounced higher than the basketball!
What we learned: Different balls bounce different amounts.
Example 5: Will It Dissolve?
Question: Does sugar dissolve in water?
Prediction: I think the sugar will disappear in the water.
Test: Put a spoon of sugar in a glass of water and stir.
Result: The sugar disappeared! The water tastes sweet.
What we learned: Sugar dissolves (mixes) into water.
✏️ Practice
Answer these questions about testing ideas.
Problem 1
What is an experiment?
Show Answer
An experiment is a test you do to find out if your idea is right.
Problem 2
What is a prediction?
Show Answer
A prediction is a guess about what will happen.
Problem 3
What is the first step in doing an experiment?
Show Answer
Ask a question - what do you want to find out?
Problem 4
You want to know if a feather sinks or floats. What would you predict?
Show Answer
I predict the feather will float because it is very light.
Problem 5
What does "observe" mean in an experiment?
Show Answer
Observe means to watch carefully and notice what happens.
Problem 6
What is a result?
Show Answer
A result is what happens after you do the test.
Problem 7
Is it okay if your prediction is wrong?
Show Answer
Yes! Scientists learn from experiments even when their predictions are wrong. That is how we discover new things!
Problem 8
You want to know which paper airplane flies farther. How could you test this?
Show Answer
Make two different paper airplanes. Throw them from the same spot. Measure how far each one flies.
Problem 9
Why do scientists do experiments?
Show Answer
Scientists do experiments to test their ideas and find answers to questions.
Problem 10
Name the 5 steps of an experiment.
Show Answer
1. Ask a question. 2. Make a prediction (guess). 3. Do the test. 4. See what happens. 5. Learn from it.
✅ Check Your Understanding
Answer these questions to see what you learned.
Question 1
Think of something you want to test at home. What is your question and prediction?
Show Answer
Answers will vary. Think of something you are curious about, ask a question, and make a guess about what will happen!
Question 2
Why is it important to observe carefully during an experiment?
Show Answer
You need to watch carefully to see what really happens and learn from your experiment.
Question 3
What should you do if your experiment does not work the way you expected?
Show Answer
Think about why it happened differently, learn from it, and maybe try again! Scientists learn a lot when things do not go as planned.
Question 4
How are asking questions and testing ideas connected?
Show Answer
You start by asking a question, then you do an experiment to test your idea and find the answer!
🚀 Next Steps
- Try the "sink or float" experiment with different objects at home
- Do a simple experiment with a grown-up and write down what you observe
- Keep practicing asking questions and making predictions!
- Return to Simple Experiments Unit to review