Scientific Method

What is the Scientific Method? Systematic approach to problem solving In your own words: Steps to solve a problem

Steps of the Scientific Method State the problem Research Hypothesis Experiment Analyze Conclude

Mnemonic S ally R eally H ates E ggs A nd C heese

State the problem What exactly are we trying to figure out?

Research Gather information to build background knowledge

Hypothesis With the information gathered make a Hypothesis – educated guess The Hypothesis is an IF…..THEN statement Ex. If I study, then I will make passing grades

Experiment The experiment – a set of procedures used to test the hypothesis

Procedures Peanut Butter and Jelly Time! –I have the following materials: Napkin Bread Peanut Butter Jelly Knife What’s the problem I am trying to solve?

Your Turn! Program a Robot to throw a piece of paper in the trash can!

Components of an Experiment Independent Variable Dependent Variable Constant Control Factor that causes change Factor that has been changed Factor that remains the same in both set-ups The comparison group; the “normal” set-up

_______________ causes ______________ (Independent)(Dependent) to change

Let’s Try an Example Look at the following worksheet Let’s practice together!

Your Turn! Independent Practice

Analyze Observations and Inferences made about the results produced from the experiment Observation: information gathered based on the 5 senses Inference: information gathered based on prior knowledge

Let’s Take a Observation vs. Inference Look at the worksheet and write an O (for observation) or and I (for Inference) beside each statement Tootsie

Magazine Ad Now it’s your turn to differentiate between the two! Find a magazine image Cut it out and insert the image inside your notebook Write 5 observations Write 5 inferences