1. What is Science?

2. What is Science? FACTS based on observations: information from senses
organizing evidence to learn about the natural world
based on observations: information from senses

3. Observation and Inference
When using the “scientific method” you need to use your Observation Skills.
An observation involves using one or more of the senses to gather information.
You also may have to use Inference
An inference is a logical interpretation based on prior knowledge and experience.

4. 2 types of Observations
A Quantitative Observation involves numbers, such as counting or measuring. (data collection)
A Qualitative Observation involves characteristics that cannot be easily measured or counted, such as color or texture.

5. What is Biology? The study of living things (organisms)
The study of interactions between living things
bio= life
ology= study of

6. Scientific Method

8. Why?
Battery?
Gas?

9. How could you test battery?

10. What if it still didn’t start?

11. Is it out of gas??

14. Scientific Method Ask a question Formulate a hypothesis
Design and conduct and experiment
Collect and analyze data
Make a tentative conclusion
Test conclusion, if necessary, refine question & go through each step again

15. Scientific Method Ask a question Formulate a hypothesis
Why won’t the car start?
Formulate a hypothesis
Dead battery?
Design and conduct and experiment
Try the lights… Try jump starting…
Collect and analyze data
Do the lights go on? Does it start with jumper cables?
Make a tentative conclusion
If not dead battery… does the car have gas?
Test conclusion, if necessary, refine question & go through each step again

16. Conclusion C. Data E. Hypothesis
Pop Quiz: Identify the following examples of components of the scientific method.
Conclusion C. Data E. Hypothesis
Control group D. Experimental group F. Problem
A chart with the number of roaches killed and the treatments they received.
I wonder what will kill a roach?
Roaches are killed more quickly when sprayed with Raid than if sprayed with water.
One group of roaches is sprayed with Raid
If roaches are sprayed with Raid, then they will die quickly.
One group of roaches is sprayed with water

17. Conclusion C. Data E. Hypothesis
Pop Quiz: Identify the following examples of components of the scientific method.
Conclusion C. Data E. Hypothesis
Control group D. Experimental group F. Problem
A chart with the number of roaches killed and the treatments they received. C
I wonder what will kill a roach? F
Roaches are killed more quickly when sprayed with Raid than if sprayed with water. A
One group of roaches is sprayed with Raid. D
If roaches are sprayed with Raid, then they will die quickly. E
One group of roaches is sprayed with water. B

18. Designing an Experiment
Controlled Experiment
One variable
IV vs DV

19. Independent Variable Dependent Variable

20. Experimental Design

23. Hypothesis
The plant exposed to fertilizer will grow taller

26. What am I testing?
What is my hypothesis?
What am I measuring?
How will I know if my hypothesis is supported?

27. Independent Variable IV
Manipulated Variable
The thing you are testing

28. Dependent Variable DV Responding Variable
The thing you are measuring as a result of exposure to the IV

29. Parts of a Graph Title y axis dependent variable (unit) x axis
independent variable
(unit)

30. Parts of a Graph MIX DRY Title y axis dependent variable (unit) x axis
independent variable
(unit)

31. Independent Variable: the thing you are testing (CAUSE)
Dependent Variable: the thing you are measuring (EFFECT)

32. Independent Variable: the thing you are testing (CAUSE)
Dependent Variable: the thing you are measuring (EFFECT)

33. Collecting Data

37. Discrete Data Discrete Data can only take certain values.
Example: the number of students in a class (you can't have half a student).
Example: the results of rolling 2 dice:
can only have the values 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12

38. Continuous Data Continuous Data can take any value (within a range)
A person's height: could be any value (within the range of human heights), not just certain fixed heights
Time in a race: you could even measure it to fractions of a second
A dog's weight
The length of a leaf

40. Pop Quiz (Quantitative? Qualitative?)
My biology teacher is funny
The new restaurant in town is fancy
The school cafeteria is more crowded during “A” lunch than “B” lunch
The boys in 1st block biology are taller than the boys in 2nd block biology
Our class has a lot of school spirit
The birds are so colorful this time of year