The Scientific Method

A step-by-step process for discovery.

The Scientific Enquiry Cycle

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1. Observation & Question (Tirohanga me te Pātai)

Notice something and ask a question about it. Why does that happen? What if...?

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2. Research (Rangahau)

Gather information about your question. What is already known?

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3. Hypothesis (Whakaaro)

Formulate an educated guess or a testable prediction. "If I do this, then this will happen."

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4. Experiment (Whakamātau)

Design and conduct a fair test. Change only the Independent Variable. Keep all other Controlled Variables the same.

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5. Analysis (Tātari)

Collect and examine the data from your experiment. What do the results tell you?

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6. Conclusion (Whakatau)

Summarise your findings. Was your hypothesis supported? What did you learn?

Connecting to Mātauranga Māori

The scientific method is one way of understanding the world. Mātauranga Māori, the body of knowledge from Māori ancestors, also uses deep observation of the natural world (tirohanga), passing down knowledge through generations (rangahau), and testing ideas through practical application (whakamātau). For example, the creation of the maramataka (Māori lunar calendar) required centuries of careful observation, testing, and analysis to understand the best times for planting and fishing. Both systems value curiosity, evidence, and a desire to understand the world more deeply.

Plan Your Own Experiment!

Let's plan an experiment to answer the question: "Does the type of liquid affect how fast a seed sprouts?"

Hypothesis:

If I water three seeds with plain water, salt water, and sugary water, then...

Independent Variable (the one thing you are changing):

Controlled Variables (the things you will keep the same):

What data will you collect?

📖 Key Statistical Terms

Mode: Most common value

Range: Difference between highest and lowest

Total: Sum of all values

Category: Group of similar items

📋 Teacher Planning Snapshot

Ngā Whāinga Ako — Learning Intentions

Students will engage with this resource to explore the intersection of STEM disciplines and mātauranga Māori — understanding how Indigenous knowledge systems and Western science share complementary ways of knowing the world.

Ngā Paearu Angitū — Success Criteria

✅ Students can identify connections between mātauranga Māori and STEM concepts in this resource.
✅ Students can explain how dual knowledge systems strengthen understanding of natural phenomena.

Differentiation & Inclusion

Scaffold support: Provide concept maps or sentence frames to scaffold access for students at the entry level. Offer extension tasks exploring specific mātauranga Māori knowledge domains (e.g., tohu āhua rangi, rongoā, whakapapa o te taiao) in greater depth.

ELL / ESOL: Pre-teach key vocabulary in both te reo Māori and English — including domain-specific STEM terms. Bilingual glossaries and visual anchors support comprehension. Allow students to demonstrate understanding in their preferred language.

Inclusion: Tasks are designed for a range of readiness levels. Neurodiverse learners benefit from structured, chunked activities with clear success criteria. Use hands-on, inquiry-based formats where possible. Affirm the value of different ways of knowing.

Mātauranga Māori lens: Mātauranga Māori encompasses astronomy, ecology, navigation, agriculture, and medicine — systems of knowledge developed over centuries. This unit treats mātauranga Māori as epistemically equal to Western science, not supplementary. Bring kaitiakitanga as a guiding ethic: knowledge is held in relationship, not extracted.

Prior knowledge: Students benefit from baseline understanding of the relevant STEM domain. No specialist te reo Māori knowledge required — glossaries provided. Best used after introductory lessons or as a standalone exploration.

Curriculum alignment

Nature of Science — Knowledge: Science is a way of investigating, understanding, and explaining our natural, physical world; mātauranga Māori offers complementary systems of knowledge that enrich scientific understanding.
Identity, Culture, and Organisation: Understand how different knowledge systems — including mātauranga Māori — shape how communities relate to the natural world.