Making Scientific Hypotheses

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

You saw a picture of a boy that was choosing what to eat.

You made a prediction about what was going to happen next. A prediction is a guess you make about what will happen next.

Scientists make predictions about the results of scientific experiments. A scientific prediction is called a hypothesis. Scientists make hypotheses (plural) about what will happen in an experiment by using evidence, or clues.

Take a look at the picture again. If you look at the boy’s eyes, you can tell he is looking at the sweets. This can be a clue (evidence) as to which he may choose. Where he is looking and his expression can be used to make your hypothesis.

Here is an example of a great hypothesis with evidence:

• I think the boy is going to eat the sweets instead of the fruit because he is looking and smiling at the sweets.

The hypothesis includes evidence and what might happen next. Hypotheses aren’t always right, though! Sometimes things change in an unexpected way. It’s okay to make a hypothesis that is not correct. Scientists make mistakes just like you and me; the important thing is that you learn from your mistakes!

Form a hypothesis about the picture below.

• What do you think is going to happen next?

You made a hypothesis about what would happen next. Either you thought the dog would catch the Frisbee or the dog would miss the Frisbee. If you made either of those hypotheses, you are on the right track.

Both hypotheses have evidence in them. The evidence includes the dog and the Frisbee. You saw both of these things in the picture, and both hypotheses make sense.

You saw a few examples of how hypotheses are made. You will make one more hypothesis before you move on to the Got It? section.

• There are leaves all over the yard. Susie and Bobby are out in the yard with their rakes. What do you think they are going to do next?

Say your hypothesis aloud. Make sure you include evidence in your hypothesis.