Synopsis

The practice of scientific inquiry begins with a question, followed by careful observation, a proposed explanation—what scientists term a hypothesis—and then experimentation. Often, questions arise from noticing something peculiar. Consider, for example, the curious wrinkling of fingers during a bath. The initial observation—the shriveled fingertips—marks the first stage. A do-it-yourself approach to science demands attention to detail in documenting these observations. Gathering related inform