By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:
Define life science and its areas of study
Understand and explain the steps of the scientific method
Apply scientific reasoning to real-world examples
Answer GED-style science questions involving experiments and investigations
Life Science is the study of living things and their interactions with the environment. It includes:
Biology
Genetics
Anatomy
Ecology
Evolution
Life science is everywhere—from how your body works to how vaccines are developed.
| Step | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Ask a Question | What do you want to know? | Why do plants grow faster in sunlight? |
| 2. Do Background Research | Learn what others know | Read articles on plant growth |
| 3. Form a Hypothesis | Make a testable guess | “Plants in full sunlight grow taller” |
| 4. Conduct an Experiment | Test your idea with variables | Two plants: one in light, one in shade |
| 5. Analyze Data | Use charts, tables, observations | Measure height over 2 weeks |
| 6. Draw a Conclusion | Was your hypothesis correct? | Sunlight helps plants grow faster |
| 7. Communicate Results | Share findings clearly | Write a report or present your data |
Independent Variable = what you change (e.g., sunlight)
Dependent Variable = what you measure (e.g., plant height)
Controlled Variables = what you keep the same (e.g., soil, water, pot)
Scenario: A scientist tests whether a new medicine lowers blood pressure.
Independent Variable: Use of the new medicine
Dependent Variable: Blood pressure
Control Group: Receives no medicine or a placebo
Experimental Group: Receives the new medicine
1. What is the dependent variable in a study on fertilizer and plant growth?
A) Amount of fertilizer B) Height of plant C) Type of soil
✅ Correct Answer: B
2. A hypothesis should be:
A) A fact B) A guess without evidence C) A testable statement
✅ Correct Answer: C
3. Which of the following is an example of a control variable?
A) The fertilizer amount B) The type of plant used C) The growth in inches
✅ Correct Answer: B
4. Why do scientists repeat experiments?
A) To make it longer
B) To improve their writing
C) To confirm that the results are reliable
✅ Correct Answer: C
5. Which is the first step in the scientific method?
A) Make a hypothesis B) Ask a question C) Analyze data
✅ Correct Answer: B
Task: Think of a real-life question (e.g., “Which detergent cleans best?”).
Write the 7 steps of the scientific method as if you’re designing an experiment to find the answer.
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