Teach the Cast
Some of ScienceForge’s cast are still learning. When you teach them, YOU learn it best — catch what they get wrong, then quiz them.
Teach Predict
You be the teacher — Predict is still learning. Helping Predict figure it out is the practice. (Only for you; nothing is saved.)
Teach the connections
Show how the science-method steps connect
You've helped them one at a time. The real understanding is how the ideas CONNECT — teach that next.
Question (question-formation — what do we want to find out?) × Predict (hypothesis-formation — I think... because... so we should see...)
A student writes 'plants will grow taller' with no question in mind. What do Question and Predict say is missing?
Question then says: “A hypothesis works fine with no question behind it — you can predict things at random.” — is that right?
The link: the hypothesis is a testable answer to the question you asked.
Ask the question, then predict its answer.
Setup (experiment-design — one thing changes, everything else stays) × Sample (data-collection — many measurements, then we see the shape)
You changed the light AND the water AND the pot, then measured growth. Why do Setup and Sample say your data is hard to trust?
Setup then says: “You can change several variables at once and still know exactly which one caused the result.” — is that right?
The link: change one thing, and the data can finally point to a cause.
Control the setup, and the measurements mean something.
Capstone — run one investigation together
Three steps of the method. Bring in the cast member for each.
Form the question you want to answer. Who?
Who do you bring in?
Make a testable prediction with a reason. Who?
Who do you bring in?
Change one thing while holding the rest steady. Who?
Who do you bring in?
The synthesis: ask a question, predict an answer, and control the experiment — the backbone of the scientific method.
Question, predict, and control — how science works.
Try it in the predict tools →
