Scientific Method (and Life Science) What is it and what are the steps to follow?

Scientific Method Steps Observation and Inferences Theories and Laws Models

The Scientific Method The scientific method is a series of steps that scientists use to answer questions and solve problems.

August 12th In your notebook, write what you think the following statement has to do with Life Science. “ANN HAS TWENTY ADORABLE DOGS AND CATS”

Purpose ASK A QUESTION… “ANN” Asking a question helps to focus your investigation and identify what you want to find out. – Why does……? – What will happen if…..? – How can……..?

Hypothesis “HAS” A hypothesis is an educated guess or a possible explanation or answer to a question. CAUSE AND EFFECT – Would be worded as an “if…..then” statement – Written as a statement- NO “I” EXAMPLESl IF salt is added to ice, THEN it melts faster Miracle Grow will make cucumbers grow largest. Wearing Nikes makes athletes run faster. What hypothesis could you write for Coke/Cola/Pepsi?

Experiment Test the Hypothesis… “TWENTY” A procedure to test and answer a question through collecting data or making observations: In a lab report, this should appear as: 1-Materials Needed (INCLUDE AMOUNTS): list 2-Procedures:

Analyze Results “ADORABLE” See what you learned from the data DATA- INFORMATION GATHERED IN THE EXPERIMENT- #, COLOR, TIME, DISTANCE … It can be organized into: Tables, Graphs, Charts Observations, Diagrams, Drawings Sorted Columns Mean, Median, Mode

Draw Conclusions “DOGS” At the end of the investigation, you must decide if the hypothesis was right or wrong: This would be worded as: “The data has shown that……..” and end with “the hypothesis was supported/not supported….”

Communicate Results “CATS” scientists share their results with papers, articles, presentations or web sites. Other scientists can learn from what you have done

Making your Flipbook 1.Choose 4 sheets of paper from your table (any colors). 2.Stack them up so the bottom edge of each paper is about 1-1 ½ inches above the one below it. 3.Fold the papers so the top paper is now folded over to meet the bottom sheets. 4.Staple along the top edge 2 times.

FLIPBOOK NOTES EACH PAGE (FLIP): (ALONG LEFT) ANN HAS TWENTY ADORABLE DOGS CATS

FLIPBOOK NOTES ON EACH PAGE (RIGHT SIDE) ASK A QUESTION HYPOTHESIS TEST ANALYZE DATA DRAW CONCLUSION COMMUNICATE

FLIPBOOK TAKE NOTES ON EACH PAGE- (INSIDE) WRITE IN YOUR OWN WORDS! Don’t copy!!!