Parts of a Scientific Experiment Problem: question an experiment is trying to answer. usually answers: WHAT? HOW? WHY? WHEN? What brand of mouthwash kills the most germs? Which car body shape reduces air resistance most effectively? Which coffee has the most caffeine? Who is most likely to watch the movie Avengers, Infinity War?

Hypothesis a prediction about what will happen in the experiment. If … then … because … don’t use the words I, me, we, you can change as more information gathered. it’s okay to be wrong.

Hypothesis Ex. What type of gum makes the biggest bubbles? IF Excel and Hubba bubba are compared THEN Hubba Bubba will make bigger bubbles BECAUSE it is a chewier gum.

Ex. What makes flowers grow the tallest? IF flowers are given fertilizer THEN they will grow taller BECAUSE fertilizer has extra nutrients in it to help them grow.

Procedure list of steps to be followed. must be very detailed! includes the variables.

Observations information and measurements gathered using your 5 senses.

Inference guess or assumption based on observations, previous knowledge and experience

What do you think? Observation Inference The cup is green She has a blanket around her She is holding the phone There is coffee in the cup She is cold She is sick She is calling a doctor

Identifying Variables A variable is anything that can change the outcome of an experiment. Example: What variables might affect attendance at school? weather, time school starts, day of the week, homelife, classes What variables might affect how fast grass grows? soil, water, sunlight, weather

Three main types of variables: INDEPENDENT variable changed on purpose only ONE variable is allowed to change DEPENDENT variable observed CONTROLLED variable kept the same

Variable Examples Students of different ages were given the same maze to solve. Completion time was measured. Independent Variable: age of students Dependent Variable: time to solve maze Controlled Variables: mazes instructions

Variable Examples A study was done to find which shampoo leaves hair the shiniest. Independent Variable: different brands of shampoo Dependent Variable: shine of hair Controlled Variables: how often washed water temperature amount of shampoo how washed styling after washing

Results Show your findings. Bar Graph  show comparisons

Conclusion 2 parts to summarize findings: Was the hypothesis correct? Answer the question asked as the problem. ALWAYS 2 PARTS!!!

Which part of a lab is that? Put 3 drops of food colouring in the water. PROCEDURE The hypothesis was correct. A gas was produced. CONCLUSION If the paints are mixed then it will turn green because yellow and blue make green. HYPOTHESIS A dark blue solid formed on top of the liquid. OBSERVATIONS

Which part of a lab is that? Which month has the most lightning? QUESTION/PROBLEM It smelled like burnt sugar. OBSERVATION If it has bigger wings then it will fly farther because the wings will help it float. HYPOTHESIS Stir 5 times for 30 seconds. PROCEDURE