1. The Scientific Method a way of problem solving The goal of science is to understand the world around us

2. Basic Lab Format 1. Title 2. Question 3. Hypothesis 4. Experiment 5. Data/Observations 6. Conclusion

3. Question  Purpose of Investigation  Clear question that is testable

4. Practice  Write a good scientific question to figure out what temperature would grow the tallest plant?

5. Hypothesis/Prediction  Solution to the problem (educated guess)  Written (If, Then, Because) –If-Manipulated Variable –Then-Responding Variable –Because-Prediction/Reason  Based on prior knowledge

6. Practice  Write a hypothesis for the plant question, using the if, then, because format.

If I ________________, then I think _____________ will happen, because ____________. Imagine you are testing temperatures of 30, 70 and 100 degrees Celsius for plant growth (height).

7. Experiment  The experiment tests the hypothesis to see if it can be supported or not  3 parts – Materials –Procedure –Variables

8. Materials  Must contain all materials referred to in Procedure  Should have specific quantities

9. Procedure  Logical steps so others can follow and repeat.  Must Have Repeated Trials (3X)  Must use word “record”  Numbered list  Always include SI units

10. Variables  Controlled Variable: the many things kept the same  Manipulated Variable: the one thing you change  Responding Variable: the data. What you are measuring

11. Practice  For the plant lab what would the variables be:  Controlled:  Manipulated  Responding

12. Results: Present in 2 ways 1. Recorded observations: things we see or hear 2. Diagrams 3. Sketches 4. Data: things we measure  Data table  Graph

13. Conclusion  Conclusive Statement: Must answer the Question (was hypothesis supported or not, why?)  Use evidence/data to support: Use average data, and high/low data  Explanatory Language: How does the data support your statement

14. Reflection  How does the lab relate to real life?  How does the lab relate to classwork? –Refer to a specific reading page, activity or notebook page

15. Repeat the work  Repeat experiment to check accuracy  To be accepted as valid work a science experiment must be repeated by another group with the same results!  Is there a new question to test?