Consumer Science Scientific Method

Lesson Essential Question How can the steps of the scientific method influence a life choice?

Vocabulary Fair Test: making sure that the test are exactly the same for all brands being tested (a controlled experiment). Bias: Letting your opinion influence the outcome of the experiment prior to testing.

The Scientific Method Song Observe the world around you and determine a problem Form a Hypothesis Research Conduct an experiment Record & Analyze your results Compare results with your hypothesis Share your information

Activate! Look at & read the wrapper you were given. Discuss the following questions with your group: What brand of paper towels do you use? Why do you think that brand is best? How could you find out for certain which brand is best?

The brands of paper towels we will be investigating will be labeled A, B, C, and D. Why do you think is might be a good idea to use letters instead of the actual brand?

What are some important things Paper Towels have to do? Absorbency: the amount of liquid a paper towel will hold Wet Strength: the amount of weight that can be supported by a wet paper towel.

Absorbency Experiment In your group you will design and conduct experiments that are “fair tests” which means that whatever is done to one brand must be done to the other 3. Don’t ask me for ideas, you are doing this your own way! Write down your experimental design for absorbency. Create a data table for you to record your data. Example: Towel Letter Results of Test Rank A B C D