It is a process that is used to find answers to questions about the world around us.

No, there are several versions of the scientific method. Some versions have more steps, while others may have only a few. However, they all begin with the identification of a problem or a question to be answered based on observations of the world and provide an organized method for conducting experiments.

It is information gathered during an experiment.

Steps followed to solve a problem and develop a theory 1. State the problem 2. Gather information 3. Form Hypothesis 4. Experiment 5. Conclusion

1. State the Problem  What might be his problem?  Always listed as a question  Who, what, where, when, how, why

2. Gather Information  Use books, internet, magazines, talk to people, etc.

3. Form a Hypothesis  An educated guess on how to solve your problem  PREDICTION – what you think might happen in a future situation

4. Experiment  Test your hypothesis to solve your problem  Record the DATA or information you get while conducting the experiment

5. Conclusion  An answer that explains the problem.  Is the data reliable?

 A constant – the object or item not changed in the experiment.

A. Independent variable  You can change or control this factor B. Dependent variable  What is being measured (height, weight, etc).

 Does sugar affect student’s behavior?  How much rain is needed for earthworms to appear?  How much fertilizer do we need to grow healthy tomatoes?  Does dish soap make algae grow?  Does exercise improve memory?

 The Experimental Group  This is the group that is being experimented on.  One variable is allowed to change in this trial group  The Control Group  Used as a comparison in an experiment  Group that does not have something changing in it.