Scientific Inquiry and bottle flipping 8th grade science

Big Bang... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7sSuhQ1_24

What is Scientific Method? • the diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence they gather

How do we start? •Scientific inquiry begins with a problem or question about an observation

1. Ask a Scientific Question (State the Problem) Form a question about a specific event or reaction; often this question is based on observations ***Remember it has to be testable

2. Collect Information Research all aspects of the problem— observations, research, etc.

3. Form a hypothesis A hypothesis is a prediction that can be tested, written in an “if … (iv) , then . . . (dv) because” format. (remember that this is a suggested solution to the problem

4. Design an Experiment Devise a way to test your hypothesis—write a step-by-step procedure Create a controlled experiment: which means that only 1 variable is manipulated or changed ***VARIABLE: factor that changes

A controlled experiment MUST have 2 groups: 1. CONTROL GROUP: all conditions of a “normal” situation (nothing is tested) 2. EXPERIMENTAL GROUP: only the condition that you are testing for is changed ( 1 thing is changed)

Establish the variables 1. INDEPENDENT VARIABLE: (manipulating variable) (you change this) 2. DEPENDENT VARIABLE: (responding variable) (changes because of IV)

Constants •Constants: the factors or conditions that must be KEPT THE SAME in the experiment

5. Collect & Analyze Data •Data are the facts, figures and other evidence gathered through observation

6. Draw Conclusions •Conclusion = summary of what you’ve learned from an experiment. (Was your hypothesis right? Was it wrong? What would you do differently?