1. Nature of science
Ms. Fernandez

2. Essential Questions
What is scientific inquiry?

3. Vocabulary to look out for!
Control group
Constants
Controlled experiment
Scientific investigation
Observation
Experiment
Hypothesis
Test/independent variable
Outcome/dependent variable
Data
Inquiry
Claim
Empirical Evidence
Reasoning
Trials
Repetition
Replication
Support/Fail to support
Analyze
Valid
Theory
Law
Pseudoscience
Bias
controlled experiment, scientific investigation, observation, systematic observations, experiment, hypothesis, test variable (independent variable), outcome variable (dependent variable), controlled variable, data, inquiry, claim, empirical evidence, reasoning, predict, hypothesis, trials, repetition, replication, support, fail to support, analyze, control group, conclusion, valid

4. The Nature of Science
Science is a Continuous process, seeking to answer questions about the natural world.
Studies questions that are TESTABLE
Is subject to change
Pluto is no longer considered a planet
Does not always provide complete answers to all questions
What happened to the dinosaurs?
Science demands EVIDENCE (i.e. data)
Explains and predicts
Avoids bias: Bias is the tendency to have an opinion, or view that is often without considering evidence and other information.

5. Observations When observing ask “ who, what, where, and when”
An observation is the act of noting and recording something with your senses or instruments.
When observing ask “ who, what, where, and when”

6. How good is your observational skills?

7. How good are your observational skills?
How many cars were in the picture?
How many of those cars were green?
What did it say on the store sign?
What is the name of the school?
Name one object that was in a window.

8. Scientific Investigation
The Scientific Method: A systematic approach for scientists to answer questions.
Scientific Inquiry: the activities through which students develop knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, as well as an understanding of how scientists study the natural world
WATCH :)

9. Steps of the Scientific Method
Pose a question or problem
Gather information (observations/research)
Construct a hypothesis
Test with an experiment
Analyze results (data)
Make conclusions and share your findings
Re-test, re-think, and form new questions and hypothesis

10. Step 1- Pose a Question or Problem
This will define the focus of your research
Make sure the question is testable and scientific
Meaning it can be answered with evidence, rather than an opinion
Ex: Will my plant grow faster if I play it music?
Investigate other information on the subject
Read other research or books
Step 2: Gather research

11. Step 3: Generate a hypothesis
Hypothesis- a testable, educated guess to answer your question or is a possible solution to the problem based on your research
“I think…”
Written in an “If…Then..because” format
It must be testable.
Ex. If the plant is played soft classical music, then it will grow at a faster rate than if no music was played at all.

12. Step 4: Design an Experiment
Parts of an experiment:
Parameter: something that can be measured.
Ex. Plant growth, amount of music, ….

13. Experimental design- Parameter
The parameter being tested is the test/independent variable. This is what you are changing on purpose
Ex: Music
The parameter that you are measuring is called the outcome/dependent variable. It changes in response to or because of the independent variable
Ex. Plant growth
A controlled experiment has only one independent variable

14. Experimental design- Parameters
The variables that don’t change are called the constants.
I.e. Soil, water, sunlight, seeds
A control group is the group that does not receive the test variable
used for comparison.
I.e. Plant with no music
The constants DO NOT change so you can be more sure that your independent variable CAUSED your dependent variable to change

15. Experimental design: Repetition vs Replication
Repetition: When you repeat your experiment (trials)
Replication: When someone else replicates your experiment
Provides better statistical data (averages)

16. Let’s Practice!
You have 15 minutes to complete the Independent vs Dependent variables worksheet.

17. Step 5: Collecting and Analyzing Data
Data are the facts figures and other evidence gathered through observations of your experiment
As you collect the data you got from your experiment, write it down.
Organize your data into a chart, table, or graph
Use pictures or photos to explain your results
Analyze your data by writing a summary of what happened in your experiment.

18. Average daily height of the radish plant (mm)
Plant Data
Condition
Average daily height of the radish plant (mm) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
With music 57
124
193
267
359
451
543
658
761
872
984
Without music 58
112
173
247
342
436
527
633
727
813

19. Step 5: Analyze results
Does the results of your experiment support your hypothesis or not?
Do you need to revise your hypothesis and retest?
Empirical Evidence: Information acquired by observation or experimentation. Scientists record and analyze this data. The process is a central part of the scientific method.

20. Step 6: Draw Conclusions and Communicate your results to others
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
A statement or conclusion that answers the original question/problem.
Scientific data that supports the claim. The data needs to be appropriate and sufficient to support the claim
A justification that connects the evidence to the claim. It shows why the data counts as evidence by using appropriate and sufficient scientific principles
Share what you found out from your experiment
Scientists make presentations and write papers so others can repeat their experiments

21. Step 7- Reevaluate hypothesis, pose new questions
If the hypothesis was rejected, why?
Re ask the question, and begin again
If the hypothesis was supported, explore deeper
Ex. Will playing rock music, or classical music make the plant grow faster?

22. Summary Question: Will a plant grow faster if music is played to them
Hypothesis: If music is played to the plant, then it will grow faster.
Independent Variable: Music vs No Music
Dependent Variable: Plant growth (mm/day)
Constants: Temperature, water, sunlight, soil, seeds
Control group: Plants with no music

23. Experimental design worksheet
Please complete the given worksheet at this time ☺

24. Theory Vs. Law
Theory- an explanation based on many observations and accumulated data (hypothesis is repeatedly supported and through various experiments)
Enables scientists to predict new facts and relationships, it is often added to as new information is gathered.
Law- describes a relationship under certain conditions of nature.
Considered a rule of nature
(Theories are the explanations to laws)
Theory- an explanation based on many observations and accumulated data (hypothesis is repeatedly verified over times and through various experiments)
Theory enables scientists to predict new facts and relationships, it is often added to as new information is gathered.
I.E Atomic theory, Cell Theory
Law- describes relationships under certain conditions of nature.
Considered a rule of nature.
I.e law of gravity, law of conservation of matter

25. Science VS. Pseudoscience

26. HOROSCOPE MINI LAB