Grades 2–4
Steps of the Scientific Method
Number the seven steps of the scientific method in order, then match three words to their meanings.
Science worksheet · Scientific method
Observation or Inference?
Ten sentences to mark as an observation (what you notice) or an inference (what you figure out).
- Grade level
- Grades 3–5
- Time
- About 15 minutes
- Topic
- Scientific method
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- The scientific method, Hypotheses, Fair tests
What kids do
Printed on the sheet:
- An observation is something you notice with your senses. An inference is something you figure out from what you notice.
- Circle O for observation or I for inference.
- The leaf is green and yellow.
- The leaf fell because it is fall.
- The sidewalk is wet.
- It rained last night.
- The dog is wagging its tail.
- The dog is happy to see us.
Teacher tip
Show a photo of wet streets and ask: what do you see, and what do you think happened?
How to use it
- Run a quick class experiment first, like which paper towel soaks up the most, and fill in the sheet together.
- Post the steps of the scientific method on the wall.
- Start with a two-minute “I notice, I wonder” talk about the picture on the sheet.
Watch for
A wrong hypothesis is not a failure. Scientists learn from it too.
Talk about it
- What did you change, and what stayed the same?
- Where have you seen this outside of school?
Take it further
Let kids design their own fair test and present it at a mini science fair.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More scientific method worksheets
Grades 2–5
Science Experiment Recording Sheet
A lab sheet for any experiment: question, hypothesis, materials, steps, data, results and conclusion.
Grades 3–5
Hypotheses and Variables
For three experiments, name what you change, what you measure and what stays the same, then write an if-then hypothesis.
Grades 2–5
Science Observation Journal
Look closely at one object: draw it as if under a magnifying glass, describe it and ask a question.
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