Scientific Inquiry and The Scientific Method An introductory slide show for the vocabulary, tools, and steps in the scientific process. Created by Kristina Cochran ©2015 Adorable Graphics by MyCuteGraphics.com Additional pictures from pixabay.com

For the Teacher This power point includes directions for activities included in a student study booklet. There are certain materials you will need to complete the activities. They are listed below. Vocabulary Terms printout or index cards File folders or large construction paper to create a folder glue, scissors, markers/crayons additional paper or construction paper for add-ons

Scientific Vocabulary Before you can begin your scientific inquiry, you must first understand the terms you will be using and hearing. Scientific Vocabulary standard measure microscope spring scale observation inference prediction estimate hypothesis experiment interpret scale scientific method variable data

Vocabulary Pocket Today, we are going to define the vocabulary terms and assemble our vocabulary pocket for our study booklet. I will pass out the vocabulary term sheets. There are 4 terms per sheet.

Directions Using your text book glossary, a dictionary, and/or an online dictionary, define the vocabulary terms. When you have finished the definitions, cut apart your vocabulary cards Place your vocabulary terms into the pocket provided and write “Vocabulary” on the front of the pocket. Glue the pocket on the inside of you file folder. If time permits, you may decorate the front of your folder with the following: SCIENCE INQUIRY FOLDER, Your Name and Number, Your Science Class Name, and drawings that relate to science inquiry.

Science Tools The tools you will be using in your inquiries are also important. You need to know what they are and how to use them. Science Tools ruler measuring tape dropper graduated cylinder beaker measuring cups magnifying box hand lens forceps microscope slide thermometer pan balance spring scale standard mass test tube flask

Ruler a straight, rigid device a straight, rigid device marked at regular intervals marked at regular intervals used to draw straight lines and measure lengths and distances used to draw straight lines and measure lengths and distances

Measuring Tape a thin, flexible tool a thin, flexible tool marked at intervals marked at intervals used for measuring objects used for measuring objects

Dropper a glass or plastic tub, with a rubber bulb at one end a glass or plastic tub, with a rubber bulb at one end used to measure out small drops of liquid used to measure out small drops of liquid

Graduated Cylinder a narrow cylinder shaped container a narrow cylinder shaped container marked in intervals marked in intervals used to measure the volume of liquids used to measure the volume of liquids

Beaker a large cylinder shaped glass or plastic container a large cylinder shaped glass or plastic container marked in intervals marked in intervals used to measure the volume of liquids or to contain other substances used to measure the volume of liquids or to contain other substances

Measuring Cups a measuring devices a measuring devices marked in specific amounts marked in specific amounts used to measure the volume of liquids or solids used to measure the volume of liquids or solids typically used in cooking typically used in cooking

Magnifying Box a box or container used to contain objects for observation a box or container used to contain objects for observation lid contains a magnifying lens for enhanced viewing lid contains a magnifying lens for enhanced viewing

Hand Lens a hand held magnifying lens

Forceps a tool used for holding or grasping objects a tool used for holding or grasping objects another term for tweezers another term for tweezers

Microscope instrument used to view very small objects instrument used to view very small objects Magnifies the objects hundreds of times Magnifies the objects hundreds of times typically used to see objects not viewable with the human eye typically used to see objects not viewable with the human eye

Slide small, rectangular piece of glass or plastic small, rectangular piece of glass or plastic used to hold specimens for viewing with a microscope used to hold specimens for viewing with a microscope

Thermometer instrument used to measure how hot or cold something is instrument used to measure how hot or cold something is marked in intervals marked in intervals measures in Fahrenheit and Celsius measures in Fahrenheit and Celsius

Pan Balance used to weigh or compare mass of objects used to weigh or compare mass of objects marked in intervals marked in intervals use mass weights to determine actual mass use mass weights to determine actual mass

Spring Scale tool used to determine mass of objects using a tension spring

Standard Mass objects having specific weights used with scales and balances to determine the mass of objects

Test Tube thin, glass or plastic tube thin, glass or plastic tube closed at one end, rounded at the other closed at one end, rounded at the other holds small amounts of materials holds small amounts of materials used in lab testing and experiments used in lab testing and experiments

Flask narrow neck glass or plastic container narrow neck glass or plastic container marked in intervals marked in intervals used to hold liquids in laboratories and experiments used to hold liquids in laboratories and experiments

More Science Tools You will be also using tables, charts, and/or graphs to display data from your experiments and investigations. There are several kinds you may already be familiar with. Charts, Tables, and Graphs Tables Data is organized in rows and columns Bar Graphs Data is displayed using horizontal or vertical bars. The bars represent a given data set using a scale. Line Graphs Data is displayed using connected points on a graph. The line represents a given data set using a scale. Circle Graph Data is displayed in a circle divided into sections. Each section represents a part of the whole and allows for a comparison between sections and the whole. Another term for circle graph is pie chart.

The Scientific Method Now that we are familiar with the vocabulary and the tools you will be using, you need to know the process it takes to complete a scientific inquiry or experiment. Steps in the Scientific Method 1.Make an Observation 2.Ask a Question and Research 3.Make a Hypothesis 4.Design and Conduct and Experiment 5.Analyze Results & Draw Conclusions 6.Report Results

Observation What we see, hear, smell, feel, or taste often lead us to wonder about things. When you want to design an experiment, begin here. Look around. What observations can you make that cause you wonder… My Observation “I saw this weird ice cream called Dippin Dots.”

Question “What if…” These two words lead to the beginning of a scientific investigation. These two words lead to the beginning of a scientific investigation. First, observe. “ I saw a kid eating Dippin Dots at the water park. That’s some really strange ice cream! Next, question. “I wonder if it melts slower than ice cream scoops?” Your question should be one that can lead you to make a discovery. It should begin with words such as what, when, where, why, or how. Once you have your question, you need to do some research. If I want to know if Dippin Dots melt slower, I must first learn about Dippin Dots. Using research tools, I would find information and learn about Dippin Dots. This will help me when I begin to design an experiment.

Research Dippin Dots From tiny beads of ice cream, yogurt, sherbet, and flavored ice tiny beads of ice cream, yogurt, sherbet, and flavored ice flash frozen flash frozen can melt if not stored correctly can melt if not stored correctly require sub-zero storage require sub-zero storage would stick together in your home freezer would stick together in your home freezer

Hypothesis A hypothesis is an educated guess about what might happen in a scientific investigation. If my questions is: “Will a scoop of Dippin Dots melt slower than a scoop of ice cream? After my research, I could formulate the hypothesis: “Dippin Dots will not melt slower than a scoop of ice cream. Now that you have your hypothesis you can begin to design an experiment to test your hypothesis.

Experiment An experiment is a step by step process for testing a hypothesis. Experiment should be repeated several times. We call these trials. These questions will help you design an experiment. What materials will you need? What materials will you need? What are your variables? Variables are the things that stay the same and things that change. What are your variables? Variables are the things that stay the same and things that change. How will you measure and record your data? How will you measure and record your data? What will my data table or chart look like? What will my data table or chart look like? As a class, think of possible answers to these questions.

Experiment Let’s design an experiment together. Create a materials list. Determine your variables. Write step by step directions on how you will conduct your experiment. Design a data table to record your observations or measurements.

Our Experiment Let’s begin with the materials list. The materials are everything your will use to conduct the experiment. What will we need for our experiment? Dippin Dots, ice cream, measuring spoons, containers, timer, lamp, graduated cylinders Can you think of anything else?

Our Experiment Now, what are our variables? A variable is any object, event, or category you are trying to measure. There are two kinds of variables: independent and dependent. There can be more than one. Independent Variable: It is NOT changed. It is constant. Dependent Variable: Changes depending on other factors What do you think our variables will be for our experiment? Independent: containers, amount, time Dependent: Dippin Dots, ice cream

Our Experiment What are we going to measure? In this experiment, we are going to measure the amount of liquid there is after a specific amount of time for each trial. Experiments need to be repeated at least 3 times; each time is called a trial. Let’s design a table to record our data. A table arranged information in rows and columns.

Our Experiment Our table can look like this. Which Ice Cream Melts Faster? Dippin Dots LiquidIce Cream Liquid Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Our Experiment Here is an example of step by step directions for this experiment. Step 1: Measure out an equal amount of Dippin Dots and ice cream and place each into a container. Step 2: Place each container under the lamp so each one receives the same amount of light. Step 3: Set the timer for 5 minutes. Step 4: Pour the melted ice cream/ Dippin Dots liquid into separate graduated cylinders and record the amount on the data table. Step 5: Clean your materials and then repeat the experiment at least two more times.

Data Documents your times, measured amounts, etc. as you conduct the experiment and write the information down on your chart or table. Describe what you see, hear, smell, feel, or taste- if that is part of the experiment- with your data. Observations

Our Experiment After you complete all of your trials, look at your data and analyze the similarities, differences, and other observations. *the following data table is NOT from an actual experiment. It was designed for instructional purposes only. In all three trials, there was more melted liquid in the ice cream container than in the Dippin Dots container. The ice cream appeared to melt faster than the Dippin Dots. Which Ice Cream Melts Faster? Dippin DotsIce Cream Trial 13mL5mL Trial 24 mL5mL Trial 32 mL6 mL

Results & Conclusion Conclusions begin with analyzing the results of your experiment by taking a close look at the data you collected. What did you notice about the data in each trial? How did it changed, if there were any changes? In the conclusion, use the results and the data to write about whether or not the experiment supported your hypothesis. Write about factors the effected your experiment and how you would change them if you did it again.

Report When scientists have finished conducting their experiments, analyzing the results, and writing their conclusions, they publish their results. Examples of published results are: scientific journals scientific journals posters at school posters at school display boards in a science fair display boards in a science fair