“The Scientific Method”

How Scientists Work What happens to food left out in trash? Maggots Spontaneous Generation Redi used scientific method to disprove

“Steps” “1. Ask a question” Observation “2. Form a hypothesis” “hypothesis = a testable scientific explanation” “3. Design an experiment” Needs to be published

“Independent variables are the things we change on purpose.” “The factors in an experiment that can change are called variables.” A hypothesis should be tested by an experiment in which only one variable is changed at a time. “Independent variables are the things we change on purpose.” “Dependent variables are out of our control.”

“Controls are factors that do not change.” “4. Draw a conclusion” “5. Devise a theory.” Repeat if necessary.