Thinking like a scientist

Quick Write In your notebook, write for 3 minutes about what it means to “think like a scientist”.

What is the scientific method? A flexible but logical process Some steps… Pose a question Develop a hypothesis (“If, then” statement) Design an experiment & make observations Analyze the data Draw conclusions Reflect, modify and repeat

A controlled experiment Variable: a factor or condition that can change in an experiment. EX. What variables might affect the taste a homemade pizza?

Scientific Method

Warm Up On a piece of scrap, write your name and list the 5 steps to the scientific method.

A controlled experiment Tests a hypothesis in a careful way All variables are held constant (same) except for the manipulated Most have a control which is a group that does not get the treatment ex. If you’re testing the effect of fertilizer on plant growth, the control will not get any fertilizer.

3 Types of Variables Manipulated (Independent): the variable that is intentionally changed in an experiment   Responding (Dependent): the variable that might be affected by changing the manipulated variable Controlled: the variable that is not changed

3 Types of Variables A student wanted to see if adding different amounts of cola to radish seedlings would affect how tall they grew. In this experiment, what is the manipulated variable? What is the responding variable? What should stay the same (controlled variables)?

Scientific Vocabulary Observation Using your senses to gain information about the world around you

Scientific Vocabulary Hypothesis An educated guess, possible answer to a scientific question that can be tested

Scientific Vocabulary Theory A basic hypothesis supported by many experiments over time