Final answer:
The first step in applying the scientific method is to make observations in order to identify patterns and formulate questions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first thing you must do when applying the scientific method is to make observations. This involves carefully observing natural phenomena or reading the science of others. By making observations, you can identify patterns or trends that lead to questions.
For example, let's consider a student who observes that plants in a certain area are growing taller than plants in another area. This observation leads to the question: Why are the plants in one area growing taller?
Observations are crucial in the scientific method as they help establish a basis for further investigation and experimentation.