1. Problem or Question 2. Research 3. Hypothesis 4. Procedure 5. Observations 6. Data 7. Conclusion

A possible explanation for observations that relate to a scientific question A possible explanation for observations that relate to a scientific question Must be testable by observation or experiment Must be testable by observation or experiment It is a Scientific “Guess” It is a Scientific “Guess” Example: I think that if I water the plant everyday it will grow. Example: I think that if I water the plant everyday it will grow.

Uses all five senses Uses all five senses Sight Sight Hearing Hearing Touch Touch Smell Smell Taste Taste You use all five of these to gather information

Observations and measurements recorded during an experiment Observations and measurements recorded during an experiment

Factors that can CHANGE during an experiment Factors that can CHANGE during an experiment 3 Types of Variables 3 Types of Variables Controlling Controlling Responding Responding Manipulated Manipulated

The variable that stays the SAME The variable that stays the SAME Example: You have two plants that are both in the same pot, with the same amount of soil, the same amount of seeds and have the same amount of water. You place one in front of the window and the other in a closet. After two weeks you measure to see the growth of each of the plants. Example: You have two plants that are both in the same pot, with the same amount of soil, the same amount of seeds and have the same amount of water. You place one in front of the window and the other in a closet. After two weeks you measure to see the growth of each of the plants.

The variable that the scientist CHANGES The variable that the scientist CHANGES Independent variable, Found on the x-axis Independent variable, Found on the x-axis Example: You have two plants that are both in the same pot, with the same amount of soil, the same amount of seeds and have the same amount of water. You place one in front of the window and the other in a closet. After two weeks you measure to see the growth of each of the plants. Example: You have two plants that are both in the same pot, with the same amount of soil, the same amount of seeds and have the same amount of water. You place one in front of the window and the other in a closet. After two weeks you measure to see the growth of each of the plants.

The variable that the scientist Measures Dependent variable, found on the y-axis Example: You have two plants that are both in the same pot, with the same amount of soil, the same amount of seeds and have the same amount of water. You place one in front of the window and the other in a closet. After two weeks you measure to see the growth of each of the plants.

The control or control group is used to compare your experimental results. It is the group or item that the scientist does nothing to. The control or control group is used to compare your experimental results. It is the group or item that the scientist does nothing to. Example – test 2 types of car wax. You wax two spots on the car and leave one spot unchanged (no wax is applied). Example – test 2 types of car wax. You wax two spots on the car and leave one spot unchanged (no wax is applied).

Students of different ages were given the same jigsaw puzzle to put together. They were timed to see how long it took to finish the puzzle. Students of different ages were given the same jigsaw puzzle to put together. They were timed to see how long it took to finish the puzzle.

Ages of the students Ages of the students Different ages were tested by the scientist Different ages were tested by the scientist

The time it took to put the puzzle together The time it took to put the puzzle together The time was observed and measured by the scientist The time was observed and measured by the scientist

Same puzzle Same puzzle All of the participants were tested with the same puzzle. All of the participants were tested with the same puzzle. It would not have been a fair test if some had an easy 30 piece puzzle and some had a harder 500 piece puzzle. It would not have been a fair test if some had an easy 30 piece puzzle and some had a harder 500 piece puzzle.

An investigation was done with an electromagnetic system made from a battery and wire wrapped around a nail. Different sizes of nails were used. The number of paper clips the electromagnet could pick up was measured. An investigation was done with an electromagnetic system made from a battery and wire wrapped around a nail. Different sizes of nails were used. The number of paper clips the electromagnet could pick up was measured.

Battery, wire, type of nail Battery, wire, type of nail None of these items were changed None of these items were changed

Sizes of nails Sizes of nails These were changed by the scientist These were changed by the scientist

Number of paper clips picked up Number of paper clips picked up The number of paper clips observed and counted (measured) The number of paper clips observed and counted (measured)

There are many different ways to organize the data into your results There are many different ways to organize the data into your results Bar Graph Bar Graph Data Table Data Table Line Graph Line Graph Circle Graph Circle Graph

Compare Hypothesis to the Data Compare Hypothesis to the Data How to begin…. How to begin…. According to my data, my hypothesis was right or wrong because…. I think this happened because….If I were to do this experiment again I would…..

A statement that describes what scientists expect to happen EVERY time under a particular set of conditions. A statement that describes what scientists expect to happen EVERY time under a particular set of conditions. Example: Law of gravity …what goes up will come down…(happens every time)

A well-tested idea that explains and connects a wide range of observations. A well-tested idea that explains and connects a wide range of observations. Can be changed because of new evidence Can be changed because of new evidence Example: My theory is that everyone in this class will get an A+ on their first test Example: My theory is that everyone in this class will get an A+ on their first test