The Scientific Method

Objective:  By the end of today, students will be able to:  Understand the process behind the scientific method.  Use the scientific method for the purpose of solving problems and explaining phenomena.

Vocabulary: Terms to know by the end of today: HypothesisIndependent Variable TheoryDependent Variable LawControl Group ConstantExperimental Group Variable

Getting Started: Posing A Question  Starting with an observation  Problem or question about an observation Image obtained from:

The Big Idea: Developing a Hypothesis  Hypothesis: a possible explanation for a set of observations or an answer to a question  Must satisfy the four scientific criteria! Image obtained from: Testable NaturalReproducible Falsifiable

To The Lab: Designing an Experiment  Experiment: a controlled test of a hypothesis  Constants  factors which remain the same throughout the experiment  Variables  factors which change during the experiment Image obtained from:

To The Lab: Designing an Experiment  Independent Variable  Factor that you directly change during the experiment  Dependent Variable  Factor that changes in response to you changing the independent variable Image obtained from:

To The Lab: Designing an Experiment  Experimental Group  Contains the independent variable  Control Group  Does not contain the independent variable Image obtained from:

Test Away: Collecting Data & Results  Data collected, observations recorded  Organizing results:  Tables  Charts/graphs  Allows for easy interpretation of data Image obtained from:

Thinking Hard: Drawing A Conclusion  Analyze data, make sense of data  More questions:  What was learned by doing the experiment?  Was your hypothesis supported or disproven?  Support conclusions with data/evidence Image obtained from:

Sharing is Caring: Communicating Your Results  Share your findings with scientists & non-scientists alike  Publish in science journal  Present at conferences or meetings  Converse with other scientists– some may be wondering the same things as you! Image obtained from:

Keeping It Straight: Hypotheses, Theories, and Laws  Hypothesis  Possible explanation for a set of observations  A possible answer to a question  Educated guess based on inferences Image obtained from:

Keeping It Straight: Hypotheses, Theories, and Laws  Theory  A well-tested explanation for wide range of observations or experimental results  As close to proof as science can get  “Well-tested”– different tests, different people, lots of times  Why or how something happens Image obtained from:

Keeping It Straight: Hypotheses, Theories, and Laws  Law  A description of what scientists expect to observe every time under certain conditions  Describes a pattern; no attempt to explain it  Usually involves math formulas  What is expected to happen Image obtained from: