Scientists study the natural world by making observations, asking questions, and conducting investigations and experiments. They use the scientific method, which involves forming hypotheses and testing them through experiments and research. Scientists work in various fields like earth science, life science and physical science. They share their results and conclusions, which are based on evidence gathered during their investigations.

1. Unit 1 Lesson 1 What Do Scientists Do?
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2. Unit 1 Lesson 1 What Do Scientists Do?
The Role of Scientists
• Science is the study of the natural world.
• A scientist asks questions about the natural
world.
• There are many kinds of scientists and many
questions to ask.
• Scientists work alone and in teams.
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3. Unit 1 Lesson 1 What Do Scientists Do?
The Role of Scientists
• Earth scientists study things like rocks, weather,
and the planets.
• Physical scientists study matter and energy.
• Life scientists study living things.
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4. Unit 1 Lesson 1 What Do Scientists Do?
Making Observations and
Asking Questions
• Scientists make observations about the world
around them.
• An observation is information collected by using
the five senses.
• Scientists ask questions about their observations.
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5. Unit 1 Lesson 1 What Do Scientists Do?
Making Observations and Asking
Questions
• Scientists conduct an investigation to answer
their questions.
• The steps of an investigation may include asking
questions, making observations, reading or talking
to experts, drawing conclusions, and sharing what
you learn.
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6. Unit 1 Lesson 1 What Do Scientists Do?
Experiments
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A Fair Test
• An experiment is a fair test. An experiment can
show that one thing causes another thing to
happen.
• In each experiment, you change only one factor,
or variable.

7. Unit 1 Lesson 1 What Do Scientists Do?
A Fair Test
• To be fair and accurate, you conduct the
experiment multiple times.
• To test something else, you must start a new
experiment.
• Being creative and working in teams can help
scientists conduct experiments.
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8. Unit 1 Lesson 1 What Do Scientists Do?
Scientific Methods
• Scientific investigations use scientific methods.
• Scientific methods may include the following
activities: make observations, ask a question,
form a hypothesis, plan and conduct an
experiment, record and analyze results, draw
conclusions, communicate results.
• A hypothesis is an idea or explanation that can
be tested with an investigation.
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9. Unit 1 Lesson 1 What Do Scientists Do?
Other Kinds of Investigations
• Many science questions cannot be answered by
doing an experiment.
• Some science questions can be answered by using
an investigation guide.
• Other science questions can be answered by using
models or tools.
• Some science questions can be answered with
research. Research includes reading what others
have written and asking experts.
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10. Unit 1 Lesson 1 What Do Scientists Do?
Scientists Share Their Results
as Evidence
• When scientists explain how things work, they
must give evidence.
• Evidence is data gathered during an investigation.
Evidence might support your hypothesis, or it
might not.
• A conclusion is an explanation that is based
on evidence.
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