Paradigm (experimental)

Well, sweetie, when scientists want to understand something about the world, they usually come up with a plan. This plan is like a roadmap and it helps them know what steps to take to find answers. This roadmap is known as a paradigm.

Now, let's say scientists want to study how plants grow. They might start with a paradigm that focuses on measuring the amount of water, sunlight, and soil nutrients that the plants receive. They might also pay attention to the temperature and humidity around the plants. This paradigm gives them a way to look at the plants and their environment in a certain way so they can learn more about them.

But over time, as scientists learn more and new ideas come up, they might start to question this roadmap. They might realize that there are other factors that play a role in how plants grow, such as the genetics of the plant or the interactions between different species in an ecosystem. So they might change their paradigm to include these new ideas and ways of looking at things.

Changing a paradigm can be a bit tricky, though. Some scientists might not want to let go of the old way of looking at things. But eventually, if enough evidence supports the new way of thinking, the paradigm can shift towards a new direction.