Ever wonder how scientists figure things out? They don’t just guess. They follow a process called the scientific method. It’s a reliable way to explore questions, test ideas, and make discoveries. Because scientists around the world use the same method, they can repeat each other’s experiments and compare results. That’s what makes science so powerful. It’s all about asking questions, gathering evidence, and finding answers that others can trust.
What is the purpose of the scientific method?
The scientific method isn’t just for scientists in labs. It’s also a great way for students to explore questions and think critically. While scientists use variations, most versions follow these basic scientific method steps:
- Make Observations- Start by noticing something interesting or puzzling in the world around you.
- Ask a Question- Turn your observation into a question you want to answer. For example, why do some plants grow faster than others?
- Do Some Research- Find out what’s already known. This helps you build background knowledge and avoid repeating past mistakes.
- Form a Hypothesis- Make an educated guess or possible answer to your question that you can test.
- Test the Hypothesis- Design and carry out an experiment. Collect data and keep track of what happens.
- Analyze Results and Draw Conclusions- Look at your data. What does it tell you? Was your hypothesis correct?
- Communicate Your Results- Share what you learned. This could be through a report, a presentation, or even a classroom discussion.
The scientific method gives students a structured path to scientific sensemaking and inquiry. It becomes even more powerful when paired with Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (CER).
Using CER with the scientific method
This approach helps students explain their thinking clearly and supports the goals of 3D learning, which emphasizes not just knowing science facts, but doing science. A student's claim is their conclusion based on the investigation. Their evidence comes from the data they collected during the experiment. And their reasoning explains how that evidence supports their claim, using scientific process and principles. When students use CER alongside the scientific method, they’re not just completing a lab. They’re learning to think critically, communicate clearly, and connect their ideas to real-world science.
5 strategies to support the scientific method
Bringing the scientific method into the classroom works best when students can see it in action—and connect it to their own thinking. Here are five strategies that can help:
- Use real-world scenarios- When students investigate questions that relate to their lives or current events, science feels more meaningful. It sparks curiosity and encourages deeper engagement.
- Use virtual simulations and STEM Cases- Digital tools like simulations and STEM Cases allow students to explore complex ideas in a hands-on, interactive way without needing a full lab setup. These tools make it easy to test hypotheses, collect data, and analyze results.
- Highlight the need for evidence- Reinforce the importance of backing up claims with data. This is where Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (CER) comes in. Students learn to support their ideas with real evidence and explain their thinking clearly.
- Encourage science as an ongoing process- Science isn’t about getting it “right” the first time. Encourage students to keep journals or logs where they can track their thinking, reflect on what they’ve learned, and revise their ideas. Iteration isn’t failure. It’s progress.
- Model flexibility- Show students that it’s okay to revisit earlier steps in the scientific method. Sometimes new information leads to new questions or a change in direction. That’s part of how real science works.
Using the scientific method to enhance student understanding
The scientific method is more than just a checklist of steps. It’s a flexible way of thinking that encourages curiosity, problem-solving, and evidence-based reasoning. When students use this method, they’re not just learning how to conduct experiments. They’re learning how to ask thoughtful questions, explore ideas, and make sense of the world around them.
This process supports deeper understanding by helping students connect what they observe to what they already know, and then test those ideas through investigation. It also aligns with 3D learning, which emphasizes active engagement with science practices, core concepts, and crosscutting ideas. By using the scientific method regularly, students develop the habits of mind that scientists use every day: curiosity, critical thinking, and supporting their conclusions with evidence. This flexibility is what makes the scientific method teaching ideas so powerful in the classroom. Tools like Gizmos STEM Cases make it easy for students to dive into real-world scenarios where they can explore, test, and revise their ideas, just like scientists do.
Teaching students to think like scientists
Helping students think like scientists builds content knowledge while nurturing a scientific mindset. This includes curiosity, critical thinking, and a willingness to explore and revise ideas based on evidence.
When students approach learning with these habits, the scientific method becomes a natural tool for investigation rather than a rigid set of steps. They begin to see science as a way of thinking, not just something they do in a lab.
Classroom example: Student-led investigations
One of the best ways to help students understand the scientific method is to let them take the lead. Start by gathering questions. Ask students from previous years what they were curious about, and use those questions to spark ideas for your current class. Then, group students and let them choose a question that interests them. Over the next few days, guide them through the steps of the scientific method as they design an experiment to explore their question.
This kind of student-led investigation builds ownership and engagement. Even better, it’s something they can revisit throughout the year. As they learn more about Claim, Evidence, Reasoning writing, they can return to their original CER statements and revise them with a deeper understanding. It’s a great way to show that science is an ongoing process and that learning grows over time.
Experience the scientific method in action with Gizmos STEM Cases
Gizmos STEM Cases give students the chance to experience the scientific method in a truly hands-on way. These interactive case studies place students in the role of STEM professionals, like ecologists, engineers, or doctors, who are solving real-world problems. As they work through each case, students use the scientific method to form questions, test ideas, analyze data, and draw conclusions. It’s about learning the steps and applying them in meaningful, engaging scenarios.
STEM Cases also encourage students to think critically and revise their ideas as they learn more, reinforcing the idea that science is a process, not a one-time event. By practicing these skills, students build a strong foundation in STEM and develop the confidence to tackle challenges both in and out of the classroom.
Launching Soon: Gizmos Investigations
Gizmos has long been a trusted resource for bringing science concepts to life through interactive simulations. Now, with Gizmos Investigations, teachers will have even more support in guiding students through the scientific method. These fully guided lessons are designed for grades 6–8 and wrap around one or more Gizmo simulations, helping scaffold students’ sensemaking practices.
Each Investigation walks students through real-world problems, guiding them as they form hypotheses, test ideas, analyze data, and draw conclusions, just like scientists do. With built-in assessments and ready-to-use materials, Gizmos Investigations make it easy for teachers to deliver engaging, student-driven science instruction that’s repeatable and effective. Whether you're looking to bridge gaps in science understanding or deepen students’ critical thinking skills, Gizmos Investigations is a powerful tool to help you do both.
Ready to see it all in action? Take a free Gizmos trial and explore how Gizmos Simulations, Investigations, and STEM Cases can transform your science classroom.