BELL WORK 8/8/11 What are the 5 Steps to the Scientific Method? Problem/Purpose Hypothesis Experiment Analyze Results and Conclusion

Cornell Notes Title and Date

The Scientific Method

What is Science? “Science” derived from Latin ‘to know’ A way of investigating the world and observing nature in order to form general rules about what causes things to happen

What is the Scientific Method? It is the steps someone takes to identify a question, develop a hypothesis, design and carry out steps or procedures to test the hypothesis, and document observations and findings to share with someone else. In other words, it’s a way to solve a problem.

(What observations could be made?) FOR EXAMPLE: We use the scientific method in everyday life Problem: What if you got in your car to drive to BBQ Kai and turned the key but the car wouldn’t start? (What observations could be made?)

Hypothesis: If the car won’t start when I turn the key then. . . Predictions: battery dead, ignition problem, out of gas Experiment (test): turn on headlights, check spark plug wires, dip stick in gas tank Analyze: headlights work, strong ignition spark, no gas on dip stick-gas gauge reads half full Results and Conclusion: gauge inaccurate, out of gas

Problem/Purpose “The question”

The problem is always in the form of a question. Scientist have to take the time to think logically when they are investigating a question or problem. The problem is always in the form of a question.

Hypothesis “an educated guess”

-The hypothesis is in a statement form. Scientists develop a question, gather information and form an hypothesis. -The hypothesis is in a statement form. -If. . . then . . . because. . .

Example of a Hypothesis Hypothesis: If all objects fall when dropped then gravity is valid (true) because the object will not be able to go against gravity’s force. Test this by dropping objects Each object we drop is a test of our prediction, the more successful tests the more confidence in our hypothesis

Although things to consider. . . What if we drop a helium balloon? What if we drop something in the space shuttle in space? Does this make our hypothesis invalid?

3. Experiment “a procedure to test your hypothesis”

Two Groups Control Group (what stays the same in the experiment to compare change made) Experimental Group (the change that you are testing)

Variables: Independent (manipulated) variable: condition or event under study, what we change in the experiment Dependent (responding) variable: condition that could change under the influence of the independent variable

Two Kinds of Data Qualitative Made with our senses. Color, shape, feel, taste, sound. Quantitative How many? Will always have a number Based on exact measurement

Analyze “Examine”

A key to experiments is observing what happens and writing it down. Breaking down and examining your data to see if it agrees with your hypothesis.

5. Results and Conclusion

A detailed summary of what happened in your experiment. Contains: The Problem/Purpose Explaining whether hypothesis is valid (truthful) or needs to be revised (changed) Data from experiment

In Review The steps of the Scientific Method are: 1. Problem 2. Hypothesis 3. Experiment 4. Gather Data 5. Results and Conclusion

Title, Date, Key words or Questions, Notes, Summary Finish your Cornell Notes by writing a summary at the end of your notes. Must have all of the following parts of the Cornell Notes to receive credit. Title, Date, Key words or Questions, Notes, Summary