There Is No One Way to Do Science

There Is No One Way to Do Science: Grade 4 Science Worksheet

Do all scientists follow the same steps? A short Florida story shows that scientists study questions in many creative ways, but always use evidence. Students read a short story about three scientists who study Florida manatees in different ways: watching from a dock, tracking with a satellite tag on a tail belt, and counting from an airplane. Then they answer circle questions about steps, observations, evidence, and creativity.

Key Science Vocabulary

• observation: something a scientist notices and records
• evidence: facts and observations that support an idea
• creativity: coming up with new ideas
• tracker: a tool that shows where an animal goes
• method: the way a scientist studies a question

What Students Do

• Read a short story about three ways to study manatees, with three doodles
• Part A: three circle questions about steps, observations, and creativity
• Part B: circle the true sentence about science
• Answer key with red reason lines

Standards

Florida SC.4.N.1.3: Explain that science does not always follow a rigidly defined method but that science does involve the use of observations and empirical evidence. Also supports SC.4.N.1.8 (science involves creativity in designing experiments).

Where It Fits in Grades 3 to 8

Earlier grades learn that scientists observe and ask questions. Grade 4 shows that there is no single scientific method. In middle school, students design their own investigations and see how scientists choose methods that fit the question.

Teaching Tip

Ask small groups to plan a way to count the birds in the schoolyard, then compare the different plans. Every plan that uses observations is real science. Prints clearly in black and white and takes 8 to 10 minutes.