Warmup Complete the Fossil Find worksheet from yesterday and turn it into the classwork bin when finished.

Scientific Method Chapter 1.2

What is Science? Science is a process Science helps explain the natural world Science covers three main categories: Life Science Earth Science Physical Science

What is Science? Science uses observation and investigation Observations are recorded Experiments are conducted Models are tested Investigations follow a general pattern called the SCIENTIFIC METHOD

The Scientific Method Our scientific method has six steps Steps can be repeated many times New steps can be added

Scientific Method Step 1. What’s the Problem? Someone observes a natural event Then asks “why?” or “how?”

2. Research Gather as much information as possible Has this been tested? Are there tests that will be helpful?

3. Hypothesize HYPOTHESIS: a possible explanation for a problem Uses what you know Uses what you observed

4. Test It Test by: Making observations Building a model Perform an experiment An EXPERIMENT tests the effect of one thing on another thing, using controlled conditions

Experiment Vocabulary An experiment contains variables and controls A VARIABLE is something that can have more than one value. It changes, or varies. A CONSTANT is something that does not change. A CONTROL is something to which the variable is not applied. Results are compared to the control.

Experiment Vocabulary Dependent variable: factor that changes because of changes in another variable Independent variable: the variable you change to see how it affects the dependent variable

5. Analyze Data Information is recorded and organized All data, including results, are recorded Data is displayed in tables and graphs

6. Make a Conclusion Do the results support the hypothesis? The hypothesis is valid if the results support it every time If the results do not support the hypothesis, revise the hypothesis or the experiment