Scientists conduct each science experiment by going through a series of steps called the scientific method. To start an experiment, a scientist asks a question based on an observation. This question might be based on other scientist's research, or it might be a new question that no one has ever thought of before.

For example, a scientist notices that when they drop a piece of toast on the floor, it always seems to land butter side down. They think, “Does toast really always land butter side down?”

Next, they formulate what is called a hypothesis, which is an educated guess that predicts the outcome of the experiment. In this case, the hypothesis might read, “When dropped from a table, buttered toast will land butter side down over 50% of the time.”

The experiment is then designed and carried out. The results (or data) are collected and put into an easily readable form, sometimes in charts, figures, or graphs. Finally, the scientist analyzes the results and determines if the hypothesis for the experiment is supported or refuted by the data. They can decide if they are satisfied with the experiment's outcome or if they believe that more science experiments need to be performed in order to answer the original question.

Science would be ineffective if the results of science experiments weren't communicated between those who work in the field. Professional researchers publish the results of their science experiments in science journals, which are read primarily by other researchers in a specific scientific field. By studying articles in these science journals, scientists find out the latest information on science experiments performed in their field. They can then base new experiments on that research. Science journals have published the results of all kinds of scientific experiments – even those on tumbling toast.