Scientific Method What observations are being made by the people in this video? After watching (and from personal experience), what conclusions do you make? Does making a conclusion = making an action ?

Introduction to Science 1-1

SCIENCE GOAL – Investigate and understand the NATURAL WORLD. Through this, we want to explain it. Is an ONGOING PROCESS…

SCIENTISTS… 1) Collect and organize data/information in a careful and orderly way. 2) Propose explanations that can be tested. WHAT ISN’T THERE THAT SHOULD BE?

The Scientific Method (SM) The common steps that biologists and other scientists use to gather information and answer questions Not a fixed, rigid set of steps – just basic guidelines…

Observations The SM generally begins when observations are made – this leads to the identification of a problem to be solved…

What observations can you make about this organism?

The Hypothesis after collecting relevant information, a hypothesis is made – this is the testable explanation (STATEMENT) to the problem Ex. If I double the water I give to my plants then they will grow twice as tall.

Experimenting a hypothesis must be tested with a controlled experiment – the results of the experiment will help determine whether the hypothesis was valid

Controlled Experiments Involve: A control group – the one that is NOT changed (does not receive treatment) An experimental group – the tested group (receives treatment)

Controlled Experiments Conditions (variables) The variable in the experiment that is tested is the independent variable – it affects the outcome of the experiment. The observed or measured variable that results from the change is the dependent variable – changes based on the independent variable.

Results data must be analyzed and interpreted to make a reasonable conclusion data must be recorded during the experiment and must be accurate in order for others to repeat the experiment

Data Data can be: Qualitative – purely observational, does not involve numbers (e.g. the desk is black) Quantitative – numerical data, results from counts or measurements (e.g. the pencil is 15 cm long)

Theories and Laws A theory is an explanation of a natural phenomenon that is supported by a large amount of evidence – theories can be revised. A law is absolute and does not change.

Theory, Law, or Hypothesis? These 323 Reindeer were killed by lightning. NORWAY, 8/26/16

Chauncey wonders if not holding the laces of a football allows him to throw it farther. He predicts that he can throw a football twice as far if he doesn’t put his fingers on the laces. He stands at the goal line on a windless sunny morning and throws the same football three times without holding the laces and then three times while holding the laces. The table shows how far he threw each. Answer the following: Hypothesis: Independent Variable: Dependent Variable: Control Group: Experimental Group: Controlled Variables: Conclusion: .

Experiment Example John predicts that a fertilized venus fly trap plant will produce twice the amount of insect-catching leaves as an unfertilized venus fly trap. With the person at your table, brainstorm and write down how John should conduct his experiment.

Heart Rate Lab Purpose: To understand how scientists approach and solve problems. You are going to find your pulse and calculate the number of beats per minutes. Then you are going to perform an experiment to see how much and in what way activities affect your pulse.