The Scientific Method and Engineering Design Process are both crucial processes for students to learn. While there are some similarities, there are also important differences for students to learn about! This resource includes everything you need to teach both methods.

What You'll Get: Scientific Method

✅ Posters (8 pages): one for the scientific method, and then one for each of the steps (plus Share Results). Includes several bonus posters as well!

✅ Informational text, vocabulary, and assessments (10 pages): text and assessments for each of the following

• Scientific Method: What IS the scientific method? What are the steps? Why is it important?
• Variables: What ARE variables? Types of variables, examples of variables!
• Scientific Tools and Instruments: Types of tools and instruments and what they are used for.
• Vocabulary sheet and crossword puzzle also included.

✅ Interactive notebook resources and examples of the scientific method (13 pages): Scientific method cards are provided in both color and black and white. These can be used to make flash cards, accordion-style booklets (black and white pages), or printed on card stock and used as a memory game (match word to definition).

Example pages that help the student walk through the scientific method are presented in both worksheet and interactive options.

Blank pages are also included so that you can either write in your own or have your students use these templates while following the scientific method with their own research. Works great for a science fair!

✅ Lab sheets (2 pages): Choose from basic or graphic organizer style.

✅ Labels for Science Project Displays (1 page)

What You'll Get: Engineering Design Process (+ Extra Scientific Method)

This resource is the culmination of years of my work as an engineer and STEM educator! In it, you will find:

✅ A 20+ page teacher guide:

• A brief overview of STEM and why it's important
• An in-depth look at each step of the EDP
• The 4 Cs and STEM
• The Scientific Method and comparison to the EDP
• A simplified and fun acronym option for teaching the EDP to younger students
• How to tell if it's STEM (Is it Impostor STEM or ✨ Authentic ✨ STEM?)
• Video links to introduce the EDP
• STEM challenge tips
• Walk-through for Index Card STEM challenge
• Completed samples
• Follow-up questions to ask students to assess STEM learning and encourage out-of-the-box thinking

✅ Student Printables

• 3-page introduction to the EDP
• EDP warm up activity (2 levels provided)
• Research an engineering profession
• EDP printable (students label and define steps)
• Scientific method overview and EDP comparison (3 pages)
• EDP and Scientific Method sorting activity
• EDP knowledge check/assessment (2 options)
• Growth mindset and failure color and doodle page (2 options)

✅ Bonuses

• Checklists and Rubrics: 6 pre-made checklists and rubrics plus 3 editable options (in Google Slides)
• EDP Posters: Choose from "Ask Imagine Plan Create Improve" or DIP ME "Define Imagine Plan Make Enhance"
• Graphic Organizers and STEM Challenge Recording Sheet: Several options to choose from for students to record their ideas, data, and progress.
• Spot Impostor STEM! Can you tell the difference between a high-quality, authentic STEM challenge and an impostor? Use the graphic and checklist to vet STEM challenges you want to try in your classroom.