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Some people say that science is one of the subjects that people won't need in the "real world", but people do science experiments every day. Troubleshooting car trouble, figuring out what's wrong with an air conditioner and other simple tasks are all science experiments in some way. Whether you're messing around with your thermostat to accurate temperature measurement or using trial and error to figure out the best way to cook a roast, you're conducting an experiment to figure out the world around you. Most people reading this may remember a few things from science class, but one of the most important science related facts to remember from your k-12 schooling is the scientific method. Remembering the scientific method when you're using trial and error to solve a problem could make the process much easier. Refresh your memory so that your next everyday experiment goes smoothly. Observe You can't accurately determine a solution to a problem without learning more about the issue at hand, that's why observation is the first step in every science experiment. Before you dive into your car engine to see what's making that strange sound, pop the hood and watch the engine in action. Spend a day taking note of your AC's temperature readings so you can learn more about its readings before you see if you need to call in a repair man. Question You've spent enough time observing the problem at hand, now it's time to determine the questions you may have about it. Your question should tell what it is that you're trying to discover or accomplish in your experiment. Ask yourself why your car is making a strange sound or why your thermostat seems to have inaccurate temperature readings after your HVAC system has been running. Hypothesize Once you determine your question, make an educated guess about what you think is causing the problem. Do you think that your engine is making a strange sound because a gear is loose? Do you think that your temperature readings are off because your thermostat is old and needs to be replaced? Experiment Now that you've observed, asked questions, and thought about possible solutions to your problem, it's time to put all of your work to the test. An experiment could be conducting a simple repair, or it could involve trying something new. Conclude Did your experiment produce the results that you thought it would? If it didn't that doesn't mean that you've done it incorrectly, a lot of experiments produce results that people didn't think could happen.
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accurate, temperature, measurement,
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