Obj. 1 Investigative Techniques State Correlation 1a-1h The Nature of Science Obj. 1 Investigative Techniques State Correlation 1a-1h

What is Science? A way or a process used to investigate in order to learn more about the natural world Learning process usually begins by observing with your eyes and asking a question ex. You see a rainbow and wonder why it is shaped like a half circle Scientists ask questions about the natural world.

Examples of questions Why, how, or when something occurred Can you think of an example that can be answered scientifically? Students share at least one question per person in a group. Call on two groups to share one example

Science creates Technology The practical use of science to make products or tools that people can use

Technology & Science: Working hand-in-hand Science helps create technology, but technology helps advance Science Give an example of this statement.

Conducting an Investigation Science In Action Conducting an Investigation The scientific method includes ways or steps to follow in order to solve a problem.

Steps of the Scientific Method Observing & Questioning Research / background knowledge Form a hypothesis & making predictions Investigate to learn more Analyze Form conclusions Communicate findings Repeat the process Use a sequence flow map to order the steps of the process

All Science starts with an Observation or Question Qualitative observations: Observations of an object / substance which cannot be given a mathematical value (measured or counted) Ex. Color of material, smell, taste, state of matter Quantitative observations: Observations of an object / substance/ situation that are measurable and are given a specific mathematical value Ex. Length of material, melting point, speed, mass, volume Use a circle map to define Qualitative and Quantitative observations HW or bell work: double bubble to compare and contrast

Research/Background Knowledge Research what others already know and results of other people’s investigations related to your topic. Helps make a hypothesis/speculation Increases background knowledge to help make better conclusions about results Examples of resources: Internet, electronic encyclopedia, journals, community, magazines

Designing an Investigation Controlled experiment: used to answer questions by testing a hypothesis through a series of carefully controlled steps manipulate one variable to see if it affects another variable Example: Do an experiment to determine if the type of gas used in a tire increases tread life

Elements of a Controlled Experiment Testable Question (cause & effect) Example: What type of fertilizer will help plants grow the best? Hypothesis: a prediction or statement that can be tested or solved Variables: a factor that changes in an experiment

Types of Variables Independent variable: factor that is changed/manipulated because it is controlled by the experimenter Ex. Type of Fertilizer Dependent variable: factor that is being measured and changes as a result of the independent variable being applied Ex. Height the plant grows Use a tree map to organize types of variables, Use a double bubble to compare and contrast independent and dependent variables

Variables Constant: factors that remain the same throughout the course of the experiment Ex. Plant, amount of water Can you think of other examples? Control Group: Sample that is treated like other experimental groups except that the independent variable is not applied to it Example: One plant will not get fertilizer

Collecting & Organizing Data Detailed & accurate notes must be written & measurements must be taken Ways to organize: journal, log book, data charts Week Fertilizer A (height) Fertilizer B (height) Fertilizer C No Fertilizer 1 2 3 4

Analyze Your Results Analyze: to examine carefully and in detail so as to identify causes, key factors, &/or possible results Represent data in a meaningful way Ex. Line graph, Bar graph, Circle graph Evaluate the data you have collected Look for patterns Sequentially organize results

Line Graph Shows a cause and effect relationship between an independent and dependent variable.

Draw Conclusions Restate the hypothesis with evidence from the investigation to justify your conclusion Based on your data justify your conclusion Inferences: decisions/conclusions based on an investigation and evidence Justify: stating whether a hypothesis is right or wrong using evidence to support your answer. Also known as reasoned judgement

Skepticism Scientific skepticism is the practice of questioning the validity of a conclusion that lacks solid evidence Must be repeatable to be reliable Must make sense Other explanations must be considered Causes doubt Examples: Earth was thought to be center of solar system.

Accuracy and Precision - Mathematics and Science Accuracy and Precision Experiments & data must have both! Accuracy: true, correct, or exact; freedom from error or defect; correctness. Precision: repeatable; same results every time

Communicate Communicate your results to others in order to help create technology or new investigations

“Is Man’s Best Friend a Spy?” What question led to this study? What was the scientists’ hypothesis? How did they test this? What were their results? What kind of new questions could this study raise? Design an experiment to test this.