Science Starter 8/24 Please take out the sheets we used for the Puzzle Activity (your drawing and the sheet with questions) Finish your drawing quickly if you have to What are three things you want to work on improving this school year? (academically or personally)

Scientific Method

What is science? Science is a tool. Medicine: “I have high cholesterol, what should I do?” Take cholesterol lowering medication. Consult your horoscope Hope for the best

The Scientific Method model test Observe an event and ask a question Develop a model (or hypothesis) which makes a prediction. Test the hypothesis. Analyze the result. Revise the hypothesis. Repeat as needed. Communicate Results **A successful hypothesis becomes a Scientific Theory. model test

Everyday Science Scientific Method Car Repair Observation Engine won’t turn on. Hypothesis (prediction) Predict battery is dead. Test Replace battery. Analyze result Engine now turns on. Revise hypothesis? Not needed. New test? Scientific Theory Cars won’t work without a fully charged battery.

1. Observe and Ask a question Finding the reason something is happening (e.g. why do the tadpoles have deformed limbs??) Make observations—be accurate! May also need to collect data When you want to find out what causes something to happen Make observations!!!! Collect data if necessary

2. Form a Hypothesis This is an educated guess! May have more than one hypothesis per question Make predictions A hypothesis is just an educated guess/explanation!!! You could have more than one hypothesis for your question Make some predictions

3. Test the Hypothesis Design and conduct an experiment: Control group where no changes are made Experimental group(s) Only tests one hypothesis/factor at a time Design an experiment Must contain a control group—to see what happens without intervention from you! Determine a variable/factor to test Test your hypothesis, the levels for the variable can differ but no other variable can be tested at this time.

4. Analyze results Analyze your results and then decide if your hypothesis was true or false.

5. Revise Hypothesis If incorrect, reevaluate your hypothesis and try another one (do all steps over again with a different hypothesis).

6. Repeat as Needed Start with a new hypothesis Re-test new hypothesis Analyze results

7. Communicate the Results Tell other scientists about your results—both correct hypothesis and incorrect! So other scientists can evaluate your results and add to your work with their own experiments.

HW Devise a scientific test for some pseudoscience (astrology, tarot, etc). What claim are you testing? How will you test it? Due Tuesday 16th.