See, Think, Wonder: A Researcher’s Starter Pack

How to begin to see think and wonder like a researcher. —

Goal

Help you turn an ordinary observation into a science experiment idea—just like real researchers do.

Step 1 – See

Look at something around you. It could be in your classroom, at home, or outside.
Write down exactly what you notice—no guessing, just facts.

Example:
I see… an ice cube melting in a glass of water.

Step 2 – Think

Now write what you think might be happening, or why it’s happening. This is where you start making guesses (hypotheses).

Example:
I think… the ice is melting faster because the glass is in the sun.

Step 3 – Wonder

Ask questions that could be tested in an experiment.

Example:
I wonder… will the ice melt slower if I put the glass in the shade?

Step 4 – Turn It into an Experiment

Pick one of your “I wonder” questions and figure out how to test it.

Example:
Experiment: Put two glasses of water with ice—one in the sun, one in the shade—and measure how long each takes to melt.

💡 Scientists often start with small observations, just like this. The most amazing discoveries can come from simply noticing something, thinking about it, and asking “I wonder…?”