The document outlines the steps of the scientific method which are: 1) making observations and asking questions, 2) developing a hypothesis, 3) conducting an experiment to test the hypothesis, 4) recording results, and 5) drawing a conclusion. It then discusses the key variables in an experiment - the independent variable which is deliberately changed, the dependent variable which is measured as a result, and controlled variables which are kept the same. Examples are provided to illustrate each type of variable.