Campo Elementary School What is Science? Lesson #1 Mr. Bordelon, M.S. Assistant Teaching Principal Science 1

What is Science? Science is a systematic method for finding answers to questions about what is happening around us. 2

The Scientific Method State the Problem Gather Information Form a Hypothesis Perform an Experiment Analyze the Data Draw Conclusions 3

State the Problem When you state a problem, you are asking a question that you would like an answer for. 4

Gather Information Once a problem/question is identified, a detailed plan is developed that includes possible ways to solve the problem. Part of the plan includes listing what is already known about the problem. An important part of the plan includes careful study of the problem. Maybe more than one problem needs to be solved. Perhaps a large problem needs to be broken down into smaller problems. 5

Form a Hypothesis A hypothesis is a prediction or statement that can be tested. Use your prior knowledge, new information, and any previous observations to form a hypothesis. 6

Perform the Experiment In well-planned experiments, variables are tested. Experiments are reliable only if the variables are controlled. This means that only ONE factor, or variable, is changed at a time. The variable that is changed is called the independent variable. The dependent variable is the factor being measured. 7

Your experiment will not be valid unless a CONTROL is used. A control is a sample that is treated exactly like the other experimental groups except that the independent variable is not applied to it. 8

Analyze the Data A well-thought-out experiment includes a way to accurately record results and observations. Data tables are one way to organize and record your results and observations. Avoid bias by collecting numerical/quantitative data. 9

Draw Conclusions Sometimes, the data analyzed may allow you to draw a conclusion that supports your hypothesis. Sometimes, the data collected does not support your hypothesis. A successful experiment is not always the one that comes out the way you originally wanted it to end. 10

Communicate your Results Communication is important in science. Giving talks, writing papers, and presenting information on the internet are just a few ways of communicating science. 11

Explain why the experiment is not a failure. Think About It! The data gathered during an experiment do not support your original hypothesis. Explain why the experiment is not a failure. 12