1 The Scientific Method ntificmethod/

Steps of the Scientific Method 1. Problem/Question 1. Problem/Question: 2. Observation/Research 2. Observation/Research: 3. Formulate a Hypothesis 3. Formulate a Hypothesis: Predict a possible answer to the problem or question. Example: If soil temperatures rise, then plant growth will increase. 4. Experiment 5. Collect and Analyze Results 5. Collect and Analyze Results: 6. Conclusion 6. Conclusion Include a statement that accepts or rejects the hypothesis. Make recommendations for further study and possible improvements to the procedure 7. Communicate the Results

What The Difference Between Hypothesis and Theory A hypothesis is an attempt to explain phenomena. It is a proposal, a guess used to understand and/or predict something. A theory is the result of testing a hypothesis and developing an explanation that is assumed to be true about something.

Identifying Variables Step 4: Test your hypothesis

T YPES OF V ARIABLES There are 2 main types of variables: Independent Variable: The variable that is changed by the scientist; the ‘ I control ’ variable Dependent Variable: The variable that might change because of what the scientist changes – what is being measured

R EMEMBER ! Your hypothesis can TELL you what your variables are! Ex. If I drink Mountain Dew before bed, then I will not sleep very much. IV: Drinking Mountain Dew DV: the amount of sleep

P RACTICE Use this hypothesis to identify the variables: If I leave all the lights on all day, then my electric bill will be expensive IV: ______________________ DV: ______________________

If I brush my cat more, then there will be less fur on my furniture IV: ______________________ DV: ______________________

N OW READ THE FOLLOWING EXPERIMENT AND IDENTIFY THE INDEPENDENT AND DEPENDENT VARIABLES Elizabeth wanted to test if temperature affected how fast milk goes bad and curdles. She left milk in a room temperature closet, a fridge, and a oven that was turned on low heat. She then measured how rotten the milk was after 10 days. IV: ____________________________________ DV: ____________________________________

Constants and Controls

Constant Constant: something that scientist makes sure is the same throughout the experiment Ex. Watering the plants the same amount of water or making sure you are testing the same person every time

Control Control: The part of the experiment that the scientist doesn ’ t change or add the variable to Ex. The plant with the white light

Conclusion The results of the experiment; is your hypothesis “ right or wrong ” ?

Practice 1 Homer notices that his shower is covered in a strange green slime. His friend Barney tells him that coconut juice will get rid of the green slime. Homer decides to check this out by spraying half of the shower with coconut juice. He sprays the other half of the shower with water. After 3 days of "treatment" there is no change in the appearance of the green slime on either side of the shower. –Independent Variable? Dependent? –Constant? Control?

Practice 2 Bart believes that mice exposed to microwaves will become extra strong (maybe he's been reading too much Radioactive Man). He decides to perform this experiment by placing 10 mice in a microwave for 10 seconds. He compared these 10 mice to another 10 mice that had not been exposed. His test consisted of a heavy block of wood that blocked the mouse food. he found that 8 out of 10 of the microwaved mice were able to push the block away. 7 out of 10 of the non-microwaved mice were able to do the same. –Independent Variable? Dependent? –Constant? Control?

7 th Grade Experiment Disaster

Myth Busters Watch the following video and answer the questions as you are watching the video. Turn in sheet to black tray. NKtchttps:// NKtc