1. How To Next Level Science
Mad Lab Skillz
How To Next Level Science

2. Let’s practice some skills at…
Pete’s Pond

3. Collecting and Analyzing Data
Observations: using the five senses to gather info
Ex: The chemical turned blue.
Predictions: making a guess about what may happen next
Ex: When baking soda is added, the mixture will bubble.

4. Collecting and Analyzing Data
Inferences: coming to a conclusion about something that may have occurred
Ex: The chemical turned blue because the mixture contained sugar.

5. Analyzing Experiments
Good experiments …
Can be replicated
Have all variables
Are carefully done

6. Analyzing Experiments
Watch out for…
Bias – unfair prejudice for a certain result (ex- a company testing their own product)
Confounding Variables – unintended changes that mess up the results (ex- changing a lab rat’s food right before the experiment)

7. After the Experiment
Results have to be verified by repeated trials and support/review from other scientists
It may take years, but eventually a hypothesis may be proven true.

8. After the Experiment A proven hypothesis becomes
a LAW if it is a proven observation
Ex: What goes up, must come down = The Law of Gravity
a THEORY if it is a proven explanation.
Ex: Gravity is caused by an attractive force that exists between two bodies that have mass = The Theory of Gravity
Note: a Theory will never become a Law or vice versa!

9. Analyzing Experiments Practice
Let’s try it…

10. Analyze This…
Jordan is doing a project on the effect of music on plant growth. He has two tomato plants (plant A and plant B) that he grows in a window and gives the same amount of water. Plant A is exposed to classical music through headphones attached to the soil. At the end of the experiment, Jordan counts the number of tomatoes produced by each plant. Plant A = 35 tomatoes. Plant B = 55 tomatoes.
Control group?
Independent variable?
Dependent variable?
Constant?
Conclusion?

11. Analyze This… ANSWERS
Jordan is doing a project on the effect of music on plant growth. He has two tomato plants (plant A and plant B) that he grows in a window and gives the same amount of water. Plant A is exposed to classical music through headphones attached to the soil. At the end of the experiment, Jordan counts the number of tomatoes produced by each plant. Plant A = 35 tomatoes. Plant B = 55 tomatoes.
Control group? Plant B
Independent variable? Music
Dependent variable? Number of tomatoes produced
Constant? Same type of plant, same window, same water
Conclusion? Music does not help tomato growth

12. Identify This…
Identify the statements as an observation, prediction, or inference
The cookies taste better with a little salt.
The cookies with shortening will be crunchier than the cookies with butter.
The whole wheat flour caused the cookie to turn too dark.

13. Identify This… ANSWERS
Identify the statements as an observation, prediction, or inference
The cookies taste better with a little salt. Observation.
The cookies with shortening will be crunchier than the cookies with butter. Prediction.
The whole wheat flour caused the cookie to turn too dark. Inference.

14. Identify This…
Identify the statements as a hypothesis, theory, or law.
Organisms have adapted to their environments through years of accumulated genetic change. This is why each type fits its environment.
Across all species, male birds are always more colorful or the same color as the females. Females are never more colorful.
If peppermint essential oil is used, then acne will clear faster.

15. Identify This… ANSWERS
Identify the statements as a hypothesis, theory, or law.
Organisms have adapted to their environments through years of accumulated genetic change. This is why each type fits its environment. Theory
Across all species, male birds are always more colorful or the same color as the females. Females are never more colorful. Law
If peppermint essential oil is used, then acne will clear faster. Hypothesis