I have mixed feelings about teaching the scientific method as it is traditionally presented. Though I see value in using it as a model for how science is done, too often it is presented as a rigid set of steps that must be followed in order. The reality is that, in practice, scientists rarely follow the scientific method step by step. Rather, the steps might be shuffled, and some might be skipped or omitted. Some science is merely observational – describing patterns found in nature, and might not even involve a true hypothesis.
All this being said, I still do start each year with a unit on the scientific and experimental design. I find the latter to be particularly important, and most of my time is spent on teaching students about how to design experiments, how to analyze data, etc. Below are some of the materials I have used in my classes:
Notes: Scientific Method Notes Teacher Version | Scientific Method Student Guided Notes
Slides: Scientific Method and Experimental Design
Experimental Design Practice Worksheet
Experimental Design in Google Slides Activity
Inquiry Lab: Water Flea Cardiovascular Physiology – coming soon!
Fatigue and Heart Rate Experimental Design Lab