This interrupted case study presents the work of biologists who are trying to understand the functions of bright color patterns in jumping spiders. It is designed to guide students through the steps of the scientific method, while also exposing them to current research in animal behavior. Students are first asked to observe photographs of colorful jumping spiders and to use their observations to generate causal questions, hypotheses, and predictions. They are then presented with real data (from a published study on color patterns in jumping spiders) and use this data to test predictions, draw conclusions, and revise hypotheses. Throughout this process, students are asked to think critically about how experiments are designed and are then challenged to design their own. Although originally written for an advanced high school biology course or an introductory undergraduate biology course, this case study is also suitable for more advanced courses that focus on animal behavior, spider biology, research methods, experimental design, or any course where students need practice working through the steps of the scientific method.