The Scientific Method Organizing Our Science Notebooks

The Scientific Method What do you think the scientific method is? What do you think the scientific method is? Discuss this with your groups or tables. Discuss this with your groups or tables. We will share our ideas in We will share our ideas in 3 minutes. 3 minutes.

The Scientific Method is a series of steps that are used to investigate a natural occurrence.

Form a Question or Purpose Form a Question or Purpose Form a hypothesis Form a hypothesis Procedure/Plan for testing the hypothesis Procedure/Plan for testing the hypothesis Results/Data/Observa tions Results/Data/Observa tions Draw conclusions Draw conclusions Communicate Results Communicate Results

Step # 1 - Question Develop a question or problem that can be solved through an experiment. Develop a question or problem that can be solved through an experiment. This will need to include a purpose (Why are we doing this experiment?) This will need to include a purpose (Why are we doing this experiment?)

Step # 2 - Hypothesis An educated guess An educated guess A possible explanation or answer to the question/problem. A possible explanation or answer to the question/problem. Is testable. Is testable. Constructed in “If”…… “then”…… pattern. Constructed in “If”…… “then”…… pattern.

EXAMPLES If I sleep at least 8 hours a night, then my grades will improve. If I sleep at least 8 hours a night, then my grades will improve. If a plant is given fertilizer, then it will grow taller than a plant that is not given fertilizer. If a plant is given fertilizer, then it will grow taller than a plant that is not given fertilizer.

Step #3 - Materials List all materials that are needed to complete the investigation List all materials that are needed to complete the investigation

Step # 4 – Plan/Procedure Scientists perform a controlled experiment to test their hypothesis. Scientists perform a controlled experiment to test their hypothesis. To do this, you have to have a step by step plan or procedure. To do this, you have to have a step by step plan or procedure. Scientists need to be organized. Scientists need to be organized. Scientists also need to be safe when performing experiments. Scientists also need to be safe when performing experiments.

Step # 5 – Results/Data This is the time when you observe, using your senses. This is the time when you observe, using your senses. Scientists always write down what they are observing. Scientists always write down what they are observing. Sometimes an experiment must be repeated. Sometimes an experiment must be repeated. Include tables, charts, graphs if needed. Include tables, charts, graphs if needed.

Step # 6 – Conclusions What have I learned? Include a statement that either agrees or disagrees with your hypothesis. Include a statement that either agrees or disagrees with your hypothesis. Do not get discouraged if it disagreed with your hypothesis. That is how we learn. Do not get discouraged if it disagreed with your hypothesis. That is how we learn.

Communicate/ Next Steps and New Questions Communicate/ Next Steps and New Questions Tell others what you found out. Tell others what you found out. Write down any other questions that were not answered in your experiment. Write down any other questions that were not answered in your experiment. Write down any other steps that you might take to have those questions answered. Write down any other steps that you might take to have those questions answered.

IMPORTANT TERMS Constant: all the factors we keep the same during an experiment Constant: all the factors we keep the same during an experiment Variables: the factors or materials that we may change during an experiment Variables: the factors or materials that we may change during an experiment

Let’s put our knowledge of the Scientific Method to a realistic example that includes some of the terms you’ll be needing to use and understand.

1.Question/Problem: Does a chemical change occur when we mix substance A and substance B? Record this question in your notebooks. 2.Hypothesis: Work with your group and record your hypothesis in your notebook. *Remember* If… then… 3.Materials: 1.Safety goggles 2.Gloves 3.Liquid A 4.Liquid B 5.Cup 6.Straw 4. Procedure/Plan: 1. Wear safety goggles and gloves. 2. Pour liquid A into the plastic cup of liquid B. 3. Stir fast for 30sec to 1min with a straw. 4. Observe. 5. Leave straw in the cup. 5. Data/Observations: Observe what happens when substance A and B are mixed. Record what you see in your notebook. You can use bullets, pictures, or sentence format. 6. Conclusion/Questions: Make a statement (sentence format) that tells what happened. Did it agree or disagree with your hypothesis? Record in notebooks. Do you have any new questions that you might want answered? Write those down too!

We will now review and learn how to organize each experiment in our notebooks. We will now review and learn how to organize each experiment in our notebooks. 1.Questions/Problem 2. Hypothesis 3. Materials 4. Procedure/Plan 5. Data/Observations 6. Conclusions/New Questions

Now that you have participated in an experiment, you can create your own experiment using the scientific method. Now that you have participated in an experiment, you can create your own experiment using the scientific method. I have provided the topic…DIAPERS. I have provided the topic…DIAPERS. I have also provided step #1 of the scientific method……The Question/Problem. I have also provided step #1 of the scientific method……The Question/Problem. It’s up to your groups to do the rest! It’s up to your groups to do the rest!

1.Question: Which diaper is the most absorbent? Which diaper will hold the most liquid? 2.Hypothesis: If…then… 3.Materials: What are you using in the experiment 4.Procedure/Plan: step-by-step, include materials list 5.Observations/Data: words or pictures 6.Conclusion/New Questions?: agree or disagree * Remember to work in your groups and use the appropriate voice level.

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