TTo investigate and understand the world. TTo explain events in the natural world. TTo use those explanations to make useful predictions. WWe do this with the SCIENTIFIC METHOD!

 A systematic approach to problem solving.  A method that is applied in all scientific investigations.  The steps are a guideline more than an exact recipe.

 To be a good scientist you must be able to accurately see things around you. This will give you questions about the world and allow you to find the answers accurately as well  This is called making observations, it is an important part of science and an important part of life!

 Are there cars parked on the sides of the road?  What color is the pickup truck driving in the road?  Any minivans around?  What color is the paper sign?  What's the speed limit?  Are there any pedestrians on the road?

 Are there cars parked on the sides of the road? YES  What color is the pickup truck driving in the road? BLUE  Any minivans around? YES 1 parked & 1 Driving  What color is the paper sign? BLUE  What's the speed limit? 35 MPH  Are there any pedestrians on the road? NO

 Quantitative data: expressed as numbers, obtained by counting or measuring.  Qualitative data: descriptive and doesn’t involve counting

 Make 2 qualitative and 2 quantitative observations about this picture: Which type is more accurate?

OOOObserve a problem or ask a question (Purpose) GGGGather information on the problem. (Research) FFFForm a hypothesis. PPPPerform experiment(s) to test the hypothesis. RRRRecord and analyze data and make observations. SSSState a conclusion. So…why do we have the scientific method???

YYYYou have 1 minute….think of some random questions! TTTThese are the questions science is all about! WWWWe can learn accurate information about ANYTHING if we use scientific thought TTTThis is why we study science

 A sheep farmer in Africa was puzzled about the disappearance of some sheep on his farm. One sheep would disappear every week! He had to figure this out!!!

 This is the purpose of the investigation.  Usually in the form of a question.

He wondered: (PURPOSE) Why are my sheep disappearing?

He investigated: (Research) What are some things that happen to sheep? -they escape -they get stolen -they get eaten -they get lost

VVVVarious resources: internet, text, encyclopedias, interview, newspaper etc… YYYYou must educate yourself about your investigation so that you can make an “educated guess” to test. JJJJust don’t believe everything you see/read!

AA hypothesis is an educated guess based on research. TThe hypothesis is what you are testing in an investigation. UUse the farmer’s purpose question to make a hypothesis: I think that…..(write your hypothesis)

 the farmer decided to put up an electric fence and check the fence line everyday.

 The “thing” that is being changed by you - by your manipulation.  There can only be ONE manipulated variable.  The “thing” that reacts (responds) to what you have changed (manipulated).  This is the “thing” you are measuring. Manipulated Variable Responding Variable

 These are the “things” that stay the same throughout the investigation or experiment. “Controlled Variables” aka “Constants”

 Data includes the measurements and/or observations  In this case…  the farmer counts his sheep every day and writes down how many there are and what day it is.  Then he checks his fence and records anything he finds

About a week later, this is what he found! D: That is some strong evidence! But we need to know for sure!!!!

 The farmer can continue to count his sheep every day to make sure that no more go missing  The farmer can also continue to check the fence every day  #1 best way to tell….check inside the snake!

 Write a conclusion for this outcome  Include whether or not your hypothesis was correct or incorrect  Explain why your hypothesis was incorrect

 To test whether aspirin can keep flowers fresher for a longer period of time, take two large beakers (labeled A and B) with equal amounts of water. Place one red carnation in each beaker. In beaker A put one tablet of aspirin. In Beaker B do not put aspirin. Identify the following with regard to this particular experiment. What is the manipulated variable? Amount of Water Aspirin Carnations Time the flowers stay fresh

Apply what you’ve learned….. To test whether aspirin can keep flowers fresher for a longer period of time, take two large beakers (labeled A and B) with equal amounts of water. Place one red carnation in each beaker. In beaker A put one tablet of aspirin. In Beaker B, do not put aspirin. Identify the following with regard to this particular experiment. What is the responding variable? Amount of Water Size of beakers Size of carnations Time the flowers stay fresh

Apply what you’ve learned….. ”If the amount of sunlight available increases, the rate of photosynthesis in a plant will also increase". This statement is an example of a(n) ConclusionPurpose AnalysisHypothesis

Apply what you’ve learned….. The effect of one minute of walking and one minute of running on the pulse and respiration rates of a human. In this experiment, what is/are the responding variable(s)? Speed Time Pulse & Respiration Rates Walking & Running

Apply what you’ve learned….. If you were doing research on the deadly E-bola virus, which resource in the library would give the most current information? Internet Book World Book Encyclopedia Reader’s Guide

Apply what you’ve learned….. The effect of one minute of walking and one minute of running on the pulse of a human. In this experiment, what is the controlled variable(s)? Speed Time Pulse & Respiration Rates Walking & Running

Apply what you’ve learned….. Scientists must analyze the results of an experiment before they: Form a hypothesis Perform experiment Identify a control Draw a conclusion

 A student plants one marigold seed into each of three pots. One pot she uses soil from a flower bed outside her house, one pot she plants with soil from a garden store, and one she plants into rocks. She uses a pitcher and waters each seed. She puts a pot on the window sill of her kitchen, one under the grow lights on her porch and one in a bag. She waits three days and makes her first observation. This is not a well prepared experiment. On a sheet of paper write at least 3 reasons why this is not a scientifically sound experiment. Then we will discuss your answers.discuss your answers