Interactive Notebook (comp. ntbk) Set Up your notebook so you have an “In” “Out”, “Through” format. “In Activity”: What is Science? List two things! 1.Body of Knowledge (Bunch of information) 2.Process (scientific method) Step 1

SCIENTIFIC METHOD NOTES Name_____________ Per______Date_____

Steps of the Scientific Method 1.Observation: Use the 5 senses to observe 2.Question: Create a scientific question 3.Hypothesis: Create a prediction 4.Procedure: Write the steps of the experiment 5.Collect and Record Data: Build a data table. 6.Conclusions: What does the data tell you?

Step 1 Make an Observation Observation involves using all 5 senses to gather information. These senses are: 1.sight 2.hearing 3.touch 4.smell 5.taste You might observe the plant wilting and turning brown. Step 1

Making Observations Take a moment to observe a penny and draw a diagram of your observations on your notes page. Step 1

Posing a Question: A scientific question is one that can be answered by gathering evidence. (Testable) “I wonder why my tomato plant died?” Step 2

Step 1 Practice: Scientific Question or Not? Look at the following questions and decide which are scientific (testable) and which are not. 1.What is the effect of cigarette smoke on lungs? 2.Why is blue the best color in the world? 3.Why did the grass turn brown? 4.What is the effect of study time on test grades? 5.Why is basketball a boring sport?

Step 1 Scientific Question or Not? 1.What is the effect of cigarette smoke on lungs? Scientific 2.Why is blue the best color in the world? Not Scientific 3.Why did the grass turn brown? Scientific 4.What is the effect of study time on test grades? Scientific 5.Why is basketball a boring sport? Not Scientific

Step 1 Hypothesis A possible explanation that relates to a scientific question. Must be testable by observation If…..then….because I predict….. because Example: If I don’t expose my tomato plant to enough sunlight, then it may die because sunlight is needed for the photosynthetic process. Step 3

Step 1 Procedures (Design Your Experiment) A very detailed list of instructions that can be understood and repeated. Use numbers or bullets for each step. (Numbers are better.) Step 4

Practicing Procedure Writing 1.Write the procedure for tying a pair of shoes. 2.Be detailed so someone else can follow your procedure. 3.Use a numbered list. Step 1

Variables All the factors that can change during an experiment. Three main types, controlled variables, manipulated variables and responding variables.

Step 1 Controlled Variables Controlled variables are found in controlled experiments where two or more objects are compared. These are the variables that are kept exactly the same in two tests. (Same kind of plants, same amount of soil, same amount of water, etc…)

Step 1 Manipulated Variable (Independent Variable) This is the one variable the scientist changes. (Amount of sunlight.)

Step 1 Responding Variable The variable that is expected to change because of the manipulated variable. (The tomato plant’s growth.) ( Dependent Variable)

Step 1 Data The facts, figures and other evidence that you learn through observation are called data. Data comes in two forms, qualitative and quantitative data.

Step 1 Qualitative Data Qualitative data is data that describes color, odor or sound. This data does not involve measurement or numbers.

Step 1 Quantitative Data Quantitative Data are measurements made using standard units, such as mass in grams (g) or density in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm 3 )

Step 1 Collect and record Data Use a data table for recording numbers, descriptions, and other observations. Step 5

Step 1 Interpreting Data Scientists identify trends or patterns within the collected data to figure out what they mean. (My tomato plant grew taller over a period of days with more sunlight.) Step 5

Step 1 Drawing Conclusions: A conclusion states whether the data supported the hypothesis or showed it to be false. (My hypothesis was correct; my tomato plants did need more sunlight to maintain healthy growth.) Step 6