The Practice of Science TYPES OF SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS

Bellwork: What do you know about investigations? You are in the science Lab and your friend tells you to make sure when you measure to pay attention to the meniscus. Write 3 or 4 sentences describing what a meniscus is, why you have to pay attention, and describe what piece of laboratory equipment you are using and the units you will put after your measurements. t/f

EQ: What are types and parts of Scientific Investigations? Objective: I can describe the different kinds of scientific investigations because I can identify which kind is being used. SC.7.N.1.5

What are some types of scientific investigations? EXPERIMENTS OBSERVATIONS an organized procedure to study something under controlled conditions Include: FIELD STUDY IN THE LAB MODELS – information obtained by using the senses May lead to a scientific experiment.

What are Types of experiments: Field Study When do the birds migrate to and from our local park? A scientific study in which the subjects are observed in their natural habitat without changing, harming, or altering the setting or subjects.

2. Controlled Experiment in the lab How does the amount of water affect how quickly a surface heats up? A lab investigation in which all variables are kept the same except for one that is being changed- independent or manipulated and one that is measured (dependent or responding variable).

3. Model A simplified representation of a system. How can the relative positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun explain different kinds of eclipses? A simplified representation of a system. Useful for studying systems that are too big, too small, too complex too dangerous to study directly.

Match each question to the best type of investigation. Investigation Question Type of Investigation 1) How does applying different forces to the Earth affect the type of landforms that are created? 2 How does the temperature of the water affect how tall the tomato plant grows? 3 How does the air pressure change with different types of weather? How does the distance from the lake affect the types of plants and animals we see? 5. How does the time of month affect the appearance of the moon Field Study Controlled Experiment Model observation

What are some parts of scientific investigations? Hypothesis – a testable idea or explanation that leads to an investigation Often in the form of an IF -> THEN, BECAUSE If I paint my house white, then my air conditioning bill will be lower because white absorbs less heat.

2. variables

Label the independent, dependent and controlled variables

What are the parts of a scientific investigation 3. Data The numbers and information gathered by experimentation that can be analyzed

What are some scientific methods Scientists may follow many paths to conduct an investigation. One path a scientist might follow:

What are some characteristics of a good investigation? Repetition Replication The same scientist does many trials and gets the same results – many trials Other scientists perform the same investigation and get the same results

Identify the independent and dependent variables in the following investigations:

Students of different ages were given the same puzzle to put together Students of different ages were given the same puzzle to put together. They were timed to see how long it took to finish the puzzle.

Identify the variables in this investigation: Independent: Dependent: Conrolled: .

What was the independent variable? Ages of the students Different ages were tested by the scientist

What was the dependent variable? The time it to put the puzzle together The time was observed and measured by the scientist

What was a controlled variable? Same puzzle All of the participants were tested with the same puzzle. It would not have been a fair test if some had an easy 30 piece puzzle and some had a harder 500 piece puzzle.

Hw: complete sponge bob variables ws

Bellwork: Create a Venn Diagram Comparing and Contrasting Field work and experiment in a lab setting. Use the following words: A. very controlled, B. cannot be controlled, C. weather may be a factor, D. type of scientific investigation, E. very sterile, F. scientist can change conditions, G. obtain info using senses You want to investigate how plant height is affected by the hours of sunlight it receives. What is the independent variable? What is the dependent variable? Classify each of the following as repetition or replication: 4. You go to the park 5 times and take notes on the birds that you see. Your friend goes to the same park and takes notes on the birds that he sees List some parts of the scientific method.

very controlled, cannot be controlled, weather may be a factor, type of scientific investigation, very sterile, scientist can change conditions, obtain info using senses

Mythbusters: Are elephants afraid of Mice? http://www.snotr.com/video/5304/Mythbusters__Are_elephants_afraid_of_mice

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