Glossary:

Paleontologist: n. One who studies the forms of life existing in prehistoric or geologic times, as represented by the fossils of plants, animals, and other organisms.

Herbivorous: adj. Feeding on plants; plant-eating.

Phenomenon: n. An unusual, significant, or unaccountable fact or occurrence; a marvel.

The Mantells and the Scientific Method:

The first description of dinosaurs in Western culture came from Dr. and Mrs. Mantell in their book The Fossils of South Downs, or Illustrations of the Geology of Sussex, published in 1822. Their discovery of large, herbivorous teeth and unaccountable pieces of backbone led the Mantells to question their origin. Dr. Mantell used the scientific method to help him identify the fossilized bones.

The Five Steps of the Scientific Method:

Observe a Phenomenon

Form a Hypothesis

Design an Experiment

Carry out the Experiment to Obtain Results

Draw Conclusions and Brainstorm New Hypotheses

I. Observe a phenomenon.
A. What is it?
B. What do you already know about it?

II. Form a hypothesis.
A. What would happen if you did ____ to it?
B. Make a guess about what it is/does/will do based on what you have observed.

III. Design an experiment.
A. Try getting rid of variables that will confuse what you're trying to find out.
B. Make up a test that you can do on the phenomenon that will tell you more about how it works or what it is.

IV. Conduct your experiment.
A. Write down all the things you do in your experiment (including equipment, amounts, timing).
B. Be sure to write down the results of your experiment.

V. Conclusion and/or Next Hypothesis.
A. Was your hypothesis right? What did you find out about the phenomenon by doing this experiment? Did you get the results you were looking for or were they different than you thought they would be? Unexpected results are okay too, they can tell us a lot about the phenomenon. How do your results change the way you think about the phenomenon? Are you satisfied that you know enough to answer your questions about the phenomenon or would you like to try another experiment? What would be your next hypothesis?

Back to Lesson Plan Map or On to More of the Mantells' Method!