1. The Scientific Method
7M Science

2. Objectives What is the scientific method?
What are the steps of the scientific method?
What are constants and variables?

3. The Scientific Method
Scientific Method is a way of investigating things that go on around us, by acquiring new knowledge, or correcting previous knowledge.

4. The Steps
The steps of the scientific method are to:
1. Problem
A question that needs to be answered scientifically.
Examples…….

5. The Steps
2. Hypothesis
An educated statement made by an individual to potentially answer a problem that needs to be solved or a question that needs to be answered.
The hypothesis must be able to be tested
Must be supported by research

6. The Steps
3. Experiment
An individual must design an experiment that they can use to test to check if their hypothesis is correct or null (incorrect). The experiment must be created in a way that another individual can reproduce it to achieve similar results:
The experiment must include:
A specific materials list
Specific, step by step instructions

7. The Steps 4. Observations
An organized, recorded observation of the facts and information which occurred during the experiment.
These observations can be recorded using:
data tables, graphs, diagrams, equations, calculations, drawings, or other methods of showing your data.

8. The Steps
5. Conclusion
A thoughtful (meaning you thought about it) statement summarizing your reasoning, decisions, or opinions formed as a result of your investigation.
It is o.k. to be right, but it is also o.k. to be wrong!!!!!

9. Constants
Constants:
Part of a controlled experiment that stays the same from the original problem you noticed.

10. Variables: Independent and Dependent
Part of a controlled experiment that you change or manipulate from the original problem you noticed; helps to determine if it is related to causing the problem or not.
Independent Variable: The variable in the experiment that is the input, or that causes a change.
Dependent Variable: The variable in the experiment that is the output, or that is effected during a change.

11. History of the Scientific Method