Scientific Method Steps Explorer¶
Specification¶
The full specification below is extracted from Chapter 1: "Chapter 1: Science in the Kitchen".
Type: MicroSim
**sim-id:** scientific-method-explorer<br/>
**Library:** p5.js<br/>
**Status:** Specified
**Learning objective:** Students will be able to recall (Bloom L1 — Remember) the seven steps of the scientific method and recognize how each step connects to the next in a food science context.
**Canvas size:** 760 × 520 px, responsive to window width.
**Layout:** Seven rounded rectangular boxes arranged in a vertical flowchart with downward arrows between each step. Each box is labeled with the step name and a short subtitle (e.g., "Ask a question / What do I want to know?"). A circular "repeat" arrow on the right side connects "Draw a conclusion" back up to "Ask a question" to show that science is a cycle.
**Default state:** All boxes are displayed in a neutral light-gray color. Arrows are dark gray.
**Interaction — click a step box:**
When the user clicks any step box:
- The clicked box highlights in green (#2e7d32).
- A side panel (or overlay below the chart) expands showing:
- The step name in bold.
- A 2–3 sentence explanation of what happens at that step.
- A concrete food science example (e.g., for "Form a hypothesis": "A food scientist might hypothesize: 'Bread baked at 375°F will rise higher than bread baked at 325°F.' This prediction is testable and specific.").
- Clicking elsewhere or clicking the same box again collapses the panel.
**Color scheme:** Green primary (#2e7d32), orange accent (#f57c00), light background (#f1f8e9).
**Food science examples for each step:**
1. Ask a question: "Why does bread rise when it is baked?"
2. Background research: "Bakers have known for centuries that yeast produces gas. Scientists discovered the gas is carbon dioxide."
3. Form a hypothesis: "If yeast has more sugar to eat, then the bread will rise higher."
4. Design an experiment: "Bake three loaves with 0 g, 5 g, and 10 g of added sugar. Keep everything else the same."
5. Collect data: "Measure the rise height of each loaf after 60 minutes of baking."
6. Analyze data: "Loaf with 10 g sugar rose 12 cm; 5 g rose 9 cm; 0 g rose 5 cm."
7. Draw a conclusion: "More sugar increased rise height. Hypothesis supported. Publish and share results."
**Responsive behavior:** On narrow screens, the flowchart stacks steps vertically in a scrollable column. Side panel appears below the chart.