Experiment Recording Sheet
What we did and what happened, blank.
The Experiment Recording Sheet is a simple, open-ended blank form for grades 1–6 that captures the heart of any science activity: what we did and what happened. Two generous sections — procedure and results — give students space to write, draw, or tally without the overhead of a full scientific-method layout. It is perfect for early elementary learners who are just beginning to document investigations, and equally useful for quick demonstrations where teachers want a focused written response rather than a full lab report. Parents running a backyard experiment or a baking challenge at home can hand this sheet to a child and get a genuine record of the activity. Because it is deliberately open-ended, it adapts to any science topic from magnets to melting ice to plant growth.
Learning objectives
- Practise documenting experimental procedures in student's own words
- Build the habit of recording observations immediately rather than from memory
- Develop descriptive writing skills in a science context
- Bridge early literacy and science inquiry for K–2 learners
- Provide a simple evidence trail for teacher assessment or portfolio use
- Encourage accurate, honest reporting of unexpected or surprising results
How to use this template
- Download and print the free PDF — one sheet per student or one per pair for cooperative experiments.
- Before the activity, students write or dictate the experiment name and the date at the top.
- During the experiment, students describe or sketch what they did in the 'What we did' section.
- After the experiment, students record what they observed or measured in the 'What happened' section.
- Optionally, prompt students to add one sentence at the bottom about what surprised them or what they wonder next.
Classroom & home ideas
- Use during a STEM rotation station so each group records their own findings independently before a whole-class debrief.
- Combine with a class 'wonder jar': students record findings on the sheet and add a new question slip to the jar for a future experiment.
- Attach to a zip-lock bag containing the materials needed for a take-home experiment kit — the sheet becomes the instruction card and response form in one.
- Use it as a quick formative assessment after a teacher-led demonstration to check whether students understood the key outcome.
- Let students illustrate the 'What happened' section with annotated drawings when they are not yet confident writers.
Skills & curriculum links
Frequently asked questions
How is this different from the Scientific Method Template?
The Experiment Recording Sheet has only two sections — procedure and results — making it faster to complete and accessible from grade 1. The Scientific Method Template adds hypothesis, materials, and conclusion boxes for a more formal structure suited to grades 2 and up.
Can this sheet be used for cooking or baking activities?
Absolutely. Any activity where students follow steps and observe an outcome fits perfectly — baking, simple chemistry at home, or a gardening task all work well with this template.
Is there a space for drawing?
The results section is unlined and spacious so students can sketch what they observed, write in sentences, or use a mix of both. There are no pre-drawn boxes, giving full flexibility.
How many copies should I print per class?
Print one per student for individual accountability, or one per pair if you want students to collaborate on a shared written record. Both approaches work well depending on your goal.
Make it your own in the Worksheet Studio
Combine this with other worksheets, duplicate it, or generate a fresh version for any grade and language — free, no sign-up.
Open the Worksheet Studio