Bell Ringer Monday October 8th Name as many of the steps of the Scientific Method as you can

THE NATURE OF SCIENCE AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD What is Science? How is Science Done?

SCIENCE IS: a way of understanding the natural world based on our senses exploration

SCIENCE ASKS: What’s there? How does it work? How did it come to be this way?

SCIENCE IS DONE By EVERYONE, EVERYDAY to develop new knowledge using the SCIENTIFIC METHOD

The Scientific Method The Scientific Method is the only scientific way accepted to back up a theory or idea.

The Scientific Method

The Scientific Method involves: Observation Question (Problem) Hypothesis Experiment/ Collect Data Result Conclusion

The Scientific Method Observation- We use our senses to gather information about the world around us. AH—Look at this!

Qualitative Observations Color, shape, feel, taste, sound. EXAMPLES: Olivia is wearing a blue sweater. The dog’s fur is shiny.

Quantitative Observations Quantity: How many. Will always have a number. Based on exact measurement. EXAMPLES: The dog has 2 ears. There is 1 dog.

Question- You ask a question about what you observe. The Scientific Method Question- You ask a question about what you observe. State the problem or question.

Created from observations, inferences, and predictions made by you The Scientific Method -An educated guess Created from observations, inferences, and predictions made by you Hypothesis

INFERENCE? HYPOTHESIS? OR PREDICTION? an explanation based on observations a guess at what will happen based on prior experience INFERENCE a testable explanation that guides an experiment PREDICTION HYPOTHESIS

explanation based on observations INFERENCE

Making Inferences Could be in trouble (ISS, OSS, Expelled) You are at the counter in the main office. You see a student leave the principal’s office crying and upset. We could make an inference as to why the student is upset. Could be in trouble (ISS, OSS, Expelled) Family problems at home(sick, accident) Student not feeling well

a guess at what will happen based on prior experience PREDICTION

Making Predictions We inferred that the student was: - In trouble (ISS, OSS, expelled) - Had family problems at home ( sick, accident) - Not feeling well We could predict that the student will: - Go to ISS room - Be picked up to go home - Go to the Nurse

a testable explanation that guides an experiment HYPOTHESIS

How do we write a Hypothesis? Use “If”, “Then” format If we drop a ball from a higher height, Then it will bounce higher. “If” is the manipulated variable. (Independent) “Then” is the responding variable. (Dependent)

Some plants are taller than others An Example OBSERVATION Some plants are taller than others HYPOTHESIS If fertilizer is added to a corn plant than it will grow taller than a corn plant without fertilizer PROMPT: WANT TO TEST FERTILIZER CONTROL: NO FERTILIZER EXP GROUP: FERTILIZER

The Scientific Method Experiment/ Collect Data- You figure out a way to test your hypothesis . The outcome must be measurable Record and analyze data.

receives independent variable receives “normal” treatment DESIGN AN EXPERIMENT A controlled experiment is a comparison of two or more groups with one difference between the groups EXPERIMENTAL GROUP receives independent variable CONTROL GROUP receives “normal” treatment Corn will receive: sunlight water soil Corn will receive: sunlight water soil fertilizer PROMPT: WANT TO TEST FERTILIZER CONTROL: NO FERTILIZER EXP GROUP: FERTILIZER

VARIBLES CONSTANT VARIABLE: factors that stay the same sunlight, water, soil CONSTANT VARIABLE: factors that stay the same INDEPENDENT VARIABLE: the difference between the groups; the factor manipulated (changed) by the experimenter fertilizer INDPEPENDENT: FERTILIZER DEPENDENT: PLANT HEIGHT DEPENDENT VARIABLE: the measured result of the experiment; the factor that responds to the change plant height

Result- You do the experiment using the method you came up with and The Scientific Method Result- You do the experiment using the method you came up with and record the results. You repeat the experiment to confirm your results by retesting.

Experiment & Collect Data DATA / EVIDENCE: “raw” or unprocessed measurements from the experiment QUALITATIVE: (subjective): descriptive data, uses words, pictures QUANTITATIVE: (objective): numerical data, from instruments Height of corn with fertilizer was taller than control group QUALITATITVE: taller, bigger, short, no growth QUANTITATIVE: any numerical change like 2cm taller, 0 cm growth Height of corn with fertilizer averaged 2 cm taller than control group

RESULTS & ANALYSIS What does your data mean? RESULTS: evidence from experiment; organization of data Tables, graphs, visual representation of data This is to be very objective – no commentary

The Scientific Method Make a CONCLUSION (explanation based on data) State Conclusion- Does the data support or refute the hypothesis? Make a CONCLUSION (explanation based on data) Are there any ERRORS (sources of mistakes)? Is there a way to improve the experiment?

WHAT NOW???? MODEL: graphical explanation or representation After several experiments have been done, Scientists SHARE their findings and/or develop… MODEL: graphical explanation or representation THEORY: a well-tested hypothesis that is has not been proven wrong; generally accepted to be “correct,” unless disproven LAW: a predictable relationship that is accepted as fact MODEL: ATOMIC STRUCTURE THEORY: EVOLUTION LAW – usually means formula; PRINCIPLES – usually more general LAW/Principle often used interchangeably BIG IDEA: CREATE NEW KNOWLEDGE AND TELL OTHERS