6th Grade Science- Woodlawn Beach Middle School Scientific method 6th Grade Science- Woodlawn Beach Middle School The scientific method

What is the scientific method? It’s an organized way to solve problems. Organized using six main steps: State Your Problem Research Hypothesize Test Hypothesis through Experiments Make Observations Analyze Data Draw Conclusions Scientific method

Step One – state your problem State the problem that you want to test in the form of a question. Example – What type of paper towels are the most absorbent? Problem

Step two – make a hypothesis Another way to say hypothesis is inference. Both words mean to “guess” or make an “educated guess” Example – I believe that after experimenting that Bounty® Paper Towels will be the most absorbent brand of paper towels hypothesis

Step three – make observations Two Different Types of Observations Quantitative: deals with numbers or amounts(height, weight or length) Qualitative: deals with descriptions that cannot be expressed in numbers. (colors, smells) N = NUMBER; These observations come with numbers or measurements. Like a temperature from a thermometer will give you a numbered reading. Observations

The one variable that is purposely changed. Independent variable The one variable that is purposely changed. Example: color of feeder

The factor that may change in response to the independent variable. Example: number of times the hummingbird visits the feeder

experiment Step four – experiment Testing the hypothesis through experimenting should be a controlled experiment. A controlled experiment means that all of the INDEPENDENT variables are changed to affect the experiment (Like you always having to change your underwear); Example – The amount of liquid, how long they get to absorb and the environment should all be the same; the only thing changing should be the type or brand of paper towels. experiment

Step five – drawing conclusions Determine whether or not the experimental results support your hypothesis. If so, why? If not, why and what happened for it not to support it? Scientists use scientific models to show the results or test the hypothesis many times Conclusions

three Major scientific models Physical Models – Example: Rocket Mathematical Models – Example: Punnett Square Conceptual Models – Example: Animal Behaviors Scientific models are often used to help explain scientific theories and make them easier to understand Scientific models

Step six – scientific law Scientific discoveries or conclusions then are tested multiple times (hundreds, thousands of times) until a theory is developed. In order for a theory to become scientific law it must be thoroughly proven and agreed on universally. Scientific law

Scientific method And now you know everything there is to know about the scientific method! Woo! Scientific method