Problem:
As a kindergarten teacher, I see the scientific method come alive in simple ways with my students. One example is when children notice their shadows changing on the playground. They often ask why their shadows look long in the morning, short at lunchtime, and long again later in the day. Together, we make an observation and form a hypothesis that the sun's position in the sky affects shadow length. To test this, the children measure their shadows at different times and record what they see. This activity shows how science relies on careful observation and evidence to explain natural phenomena (Rutherford & Ahlgren, 1990, section "Science Explains and Predicts"). It also helps my students understand that science is not just something done in a lab, but something they can explore in their everyday world (Fowler et al., 2013, section "The Process of Science"). There are also questions my students ask that cannot be answered with the scientific method. For example, a child might wonder if a rainbow is a sign of good luck. That type of question cannot be tested through observation or experimentation. Science is limited to questions that can be supported or refuted with evidence, while other questions may be answered through cultural or spiritual beliefs (Rutherford & Ahlgren, 1990, section "Science Cannot Provide Complete Answers to All Questions"). By guiding my students to see which questions can be explored scientifically, I help them begin to understand the difference between. Need Assignment Help?