In this lesson, students will be introduced to the scientific research process, scientific experimentation process, and engineering design process. Students will make connections between the four skills required by these processes and the common reporting framework of the scientific method. This lesson will help students make an informed decision when choosing which process to explore for their science project. If students are familiar with the safety features and rules of the laboratory, have students practice skills of the scientific process using a lab activity. 

In this lesson, students will take a deeper look at the components of a scientific question and hypothesis. In particular, students will learn about independent, dependent, and control variables, and how these need to be identified when engaging in the scientific and engineering design processes. Students will practice this skill in small groups. 

To begin, small groups are asked to define the word, variable. Next, groups are asked to identify the important variables of their randomly assigned question. This then leads to students using the terms: independent variable, dependent variable, control variable, and control properly in context to a scientific question. Writing a question is followed by formulating a hypothesis. The goal is to give students the foundational knowledge and skill to formulate a question and hypothesis for their own science project.

A science fair project is recommended for this course.  It can be worked on throughout the semester and completed towards the end of the course.

The science fair project could be used as part of the final 30% assessment in the course.

Other Science Fair Project Files

This is a general rubric that can be adapted and used with most lab activities. It is a tool to assess students on both their STEM Investigation Skills and activity specific learning goals. 

Using recycled goods, students will design and build a wind turbine that can raise a suspended load.

Associated Files

Activity - Posted by Ontario Science Centre

These activities are created by the Ontario Science Centre. This document summarizes all of the activities with important information such as time length, materials and description.

This is an activity where students will use micro:bits to design a robot to care for Fluffy, the pet. This could be used as an engineering design project, to build the prototype with recyclable materials.

Students will have the opportunity to build a wireless alarm to warn you when someone opens a door – or leaves it open, using two microbits and a magnet.