The Scientific Process By Mr. Lin

What is Science? Science is simply the solving of problems in our natural world. Image Courtesy of

How Do We Solve Scientific Problems? We use a step-by-step process. –This process is called the “Scientific Method.” Image Courtesy of gif

Scientific Method: Step #1 Question No question, no point to experiment, no science. Image Courtesy of envupdates/Summer2003/gfx/question.jpg

Scientific Method: Step #2 Hypothesis –An educated guess to answer the question. –MUST BE TESTABLE. Use “If... then...” Image Courtesy of mages/atom.jpg

Good Hypotheses If I place a rock into water, then it will sink. If I use a prism, then light will be split into many different colors. If my mom adds sugar to cereal, then my sister will eat more. If my class gets rid of “transition time” in class, then they will get more recess. Image Courtesy of state.edu/~gilmore/images/collection/misc/prism.gif

Scientific Method: Step #3 Experiment Experiments often have 2 parts. –One setup where everything is left alone This is called the “Control.” Absolutely nothing is change. –And another setup where only one thing is changed. Constant: Anything that never changes between the two setups Independent Variable: The one thing you changed in the second setup. Dependent Variable: What ends up happening because you changed the Independent Variable.

Confused? Let me walk you through a simple experiment.

Does Salty Water Freeze As Fast As Fresh Water? Sample Question

If I add one teaspoons of salt to one glass of water, then it will freeze slower than one glass of fresh water. Hypothesis

The Experiment

Experiment Independent Variable: –The ONE (and only one) thing we make different from the control. Dependent Variable: –What happens because of the independent variable Image Courtesy of 38/m38l62p475.jpg

Independent Variable Versus Dependent Variable

Scientific Method: Step #4 Observation Use your five senses (seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, and smelling) to notice any dependent variables. Image Courtesy of NNERS-NOMINEES/PRO-advertising/images/The- Five-Senses.jpg

Scientific Method: Step #5 Collect Data Take notes. Jot down interesting numbers and observations.

Scientific Method: Step #6 Analyze Make some sense out of the data. –Make graphs –Draw pictures –What can you infer because of the data? Minutes needed till frozen

Scientific Method: Step #7 Conclusion What is the answer to your question based on the experiment. –Do you need to perform more experiments? –Are there new questions? –Are there new hypotheses? Image Courtesy of fba/Globe_Photo/2007/09/11/ _5139.jpg

Scientific Method: Summary Question Hypothesis Experiment –Control –Constants –Independent Variable –Dependent Variable Observe Collect Data Analyze Conclusion Image Courtesy of %20and%20Graphs/j jpg