STEPS of SCIENTIFIC METHOD 1. State1. State the Problem or Question 2. Form a TESTABLE HYPOTHESIS 3.Design a Controlled Experiment 4. Collect & Analyze Results 5. Draw a Conclusion(s) 6. Communicate Results What is it you want to solve? Write an “IF..THEN” educated guess statement you think will solve the Problem or Question Design an Experiment with Procedures & only 1 variable being tested at a time. Organize Data into tables. Graph data & figure out what it means State if your hypothesis is correct or incorrect & why Communicate your experimental findings Ex) Report, Presentation

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OBSERVATION vs INFERENCE StatementObservation Inference Object A is round and orange. Object A is a basketball. Object C is round and black and white. Object C is larger than Object B. Object B is smooth. Object B is a table-tennis ball. Each object is used in a different sport. An OBSERVATION involves using your senses An INFERENCE is a guess & may not be tested A HYPOTHESIS is an educated guess which can be tested Make an INFERENCE as to what object A, B, & C might be A=_______________ B=_____________ C=_____________ X X X X X X X BasketballSoccer BallCue Ball

EXPERIMENTAL VARIABLES OBSERVATIONS: Flies land on meat that is left uncovered. Later, maggots appear on the meat. HYPOTHESIS: Flies produce maggots. PROCEDURE Controlled Variables: jars, type of meat, location, temperature, time Manipulated Variables: gauze covering that keeps flies away from meat Uncovered jarsCovered jars Several days pass Maggots appearNo maggots appear Responding Variable: whether maggots appear CONCLUSION: Maggots form only when flies come in contact with meat. Spontaneous generation of maggots did not occur.

You will need 3 data tables, one for each variable being tested. Write these in numerical steps so another Sophomore could understand how to do your experiment without having ever done it. To fix Grammy’s Grandfather Clock by speeding it up. If I increase the mass, and string length then Grammy’s Grandfather Clock will have an increased frequency (speed up) Give Quantitative amounts for all materials used. Example 6 washers

Use “cm” for your pillbugs Use book or notebook Do NOT DROWN THEM (2-5 sec) Stop watch & known distance (1’)

PROCEDURE: 1.A B. (Letter A through H, Do & answer) C. D. E. F. G. H. Speed=distance/time Ex) 2cm/sec EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN With PILLBUGS

Things to keep in mind for the Pillbug Experiment 1. ALL forms of life deserve respect. DO NOT HARM ANY LIVING ORGANISMS. (Unless maybe its bacteria) 2.When observing living organisms make sure you DO NOT influence its behavior when trying to learn about its natural behavior. 3. Have fun with this BUT keep in mind that your behavior will determine the future of labs-Stay on task,& BEHAVE! I am always looking for someone to clean something. Labs or lack of them will affect the “Biology Fun Factor”. IF YOU SO CHOOSE: (Optional for this Lab) -you may wear safety goggles &/or lab apron CLEANUP: -Put EVERYTHING back in the specific container from which you took it. Including Pillbugs -Wash, rinse, & dry all equipment before returning it to the proper location. -Remember, EVERYONE helps cleanup & the lab must be clean & organized before ANYONE is dismissed from class. -Police each other, if you see someone doing something they shouldn’t, let them know about it. Also keep each other on task & focused on the job at hand. -Throw away used paper towels

Using the materials provided you will have to figure out a way to do or answer the Steps 1-6 today in class. If you need other supplies for your experiment next time you must bring them. No Inappropriate Equipment can be used (ex. Knives, lighters, etc.)

6. TITLE: Our Pillbug Experiment (or Be more Creative) OBJECTIVE: (Question or Problem you want to solve) HYPOTHESIS: (your testable IF…. THEN statement) MATERIALS: (list of materials needed for your experiment) VARIABLES: MANIPULATED: (variable testing) RESPONDING: (variable being measured-try & making it quantatative) CONTROLLED: (all other factors which may affect your experiment other than the manipulated) PROCEDURES: ( Step by step numerical directions on how to do your experiment) DATA: (usually a data table to record your experimental results) CONCLUSION: (use your data to accept or reject your hypothesis & explain what your data told you about your experiment)