Use the Scientific Method in All Subjects

The scientific method is the basic process of investigation and discovery in science, but it can be used in other academic subjects and in life in general, too.

M. Moore Educational Resources ran a series about using the scientific method in different subject, and though it’s pretty old, it’s worth a read if you want to infuse a little more science into everyday life.

She started with how to use questions and research in different school subjects (example: understanding the goals of different assignments or researching an artist), then covered hypothesis and experiment (devising questions based on what they are learning and trying it out) and finally conclusion and publication (explaining what they learned and sharing it with others).

It’s really a pretty simple thing to start thinking like a scientist in other areas of the classroom, and kids with a scientific bent will love coming up with hypotheses related to geography or doing art experiments.

Do you think or talk about different subjects in terms of the scientific method? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

[Photo: M. Moore Educational Resources.]

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Using the Scientific Method with Kids

Not all of us live where there is a lot of snow in the winter (or even where it is winter as I write this, but it can still be fun to learn about snow, what it is and why it falls, so let’s get into it!

First, let’s talk snowflake science with The Homeschool Scientist. They have a free prinatble snowflake science less that’s more than 60 pages long and good for multiple grade levels. The blog post linked here includes some fun snow facts, information about how snowflakes form and why they are both six-sided and (probably) all different.

Expressive Monkey has a great post about how snowflakes are formed and why they have six arms, and also shows some of the pictures taken by W. A. Bentley in the 1920s (more on him below).

You can also grab a free snow facts worksheet with space for kids to draw their own unique snowflakes from Education.com. Simple Living Creative Learning also has a paid snow study resource set that includes things like different types of snowflakes, the snow cycle, symmetry drawing with snowflakes, tips for snow safety, snow-related vocabulary and more.

Homeschool Superfreak has another great page for learning about snowflakes, which includes information about Snowflake Bentley, a great book to read (and person to learn about). It includes lesson plan ideas and links to activities.

Speaking of activities, if you happen to have snow around you can make snow ice cream or maple candy, paint on snow or with snow, or do some snow science experiments. If you get a ton of snow you could maybe even build an igloo or snow structure.

If you don’t get snow you can learn about how animals keep warm in the snow and cold temperatures with this experiment from I Can Teach My Child. Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls can help you learn why big paws (or snowshoes) make it easier to walk in the snow. Or make a snowstorm in a jar like this one from MomBrite.

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