1. Scientific Method Intro
Key Question: What is the scientific method?
Initial Thoughts:

2. The Scientific Method Evidence 1-
The scientific method is the only scientific
way accepted to back up a theory or
idea. This is the method on which all
research projects should be based. The
Scientific Method is used by researchers
to support or disprove a theory.

3. The Scientific Method
The Scientific Method involves 10 steps: Scientific Question/Problem
2. Research the problem or question
3. Explore ideas
4. Plan Summary
5. Hypothesis
6. Materials
7. Procedures
8. Data and Observations
9. Analysis
10. Conclusion

4. The Scientific Method
1. Scientific Question/Problem - Develop a testable question or problem that can be solved through experimentation.

5. What is a “Testable Question?”
A testable question is one that can be answered by designing and conducting an experiment.

6. Testable Questions have two parts
 A manipulated variable (cause) – the variable that is changed.
 A responding variable (effect) – the variable that is being measured.

7. Forms of Testable Questions
Testable questions always have the same type of format…fill in the blanks with the variables.
What is the effect of __MV___ on __RV___?
Does changing ___MV____ affect ___RV____?
How does changing __MV___ affect __RV___?

8. The Scientific Method 2. Research the problem or question
- You do research and find out as much as you can about your topic.

9. The Scientific Method 3. Explore Ideas
- Choose 3 distinct, different ways to test your question.

10. The Scientific Method 4. Plan Summary
- Restate your best “Explore idea” and state the scientific reasoning for your choice.

11. The Scientific Method 5. Hypothesis A hypothesis is an educated guess.
You predict what you think the
answer to your question might be.
Write it in an “If…then…because…
statement.

12. Hypothesis Write a hypothesis from the testable question.
What is the effect of temperature on the height of a plant?

13. Hypothesis If temperatures rise,
then the height of the plant will increase,
because plants need warmth to grow.

14. The Scientific Method 6. Materials
List all of the materials you will use during the lab.

15. The Scientific Method 7. Procedures
Write the “logical steps” you will follow to complete the experiment.
Test your hypothesis.

16. The Scientific Method 8. Data and Observations Label charts and graphs
Appropriate use of charts and graphs
NEVER make-up fake data
All data must include measurements
Evidence of procedures followed in obtaining data

17. The Scientific Method 9. Analysis
Detailed and objective summary of data collected. Show math calculations
Work and/or reasoning explained as needed

18. The Scientific Method 10. Conclusion – Restate hypothesis
State your data/Say what happened
Support/Explain: Use data to substantiate your hypothesis claim.
Reflection including scientific reasoning for the changes to be made in variables.

19. Evidence: Catapult Brainstorm
In your lab group, “play” with your catapult and make observations. You have 5(ish) minutes.
Things I could change or vary:
Things I could measure or observe:

20. The Scientific Method
1. Scientific Question/Problem - Develop a testable question or problem that can be solved through experimentation.

21. What is a “Testable Question?”
A testable question is one that can be answered by designing and conducting an experiment.

22. Testable Questions have two parts
 A manipulated variable (cause) – the variable that is changed.
 A responding variable (effect) – the variable that is being measured.

23. Forms of Testable Questions
Testable questions always have the same type of format…fill in the blanks with the variables.
What is the effect of __MV___ on __RV___?
Does changing ___MV____ affect ___RV____?
How does changing __MV___ affect __RV___?

24. Asking A Question:
What is the effect of _______________________ (changed variable)
On the _____________________?
(measured variable)
*Students fill out the Problem/Question on your lab sheet

25. Asking A Question:
What is the effect of changing the angle (changed variable)
On the distance traveled of an item?
(measured variable)
*Students modify your answer if it is not the one above.

26. The Scientific Method 2. Research the problem or question
- You do research and find out as much as you can about your topic.
- List 1, 2 and 3 vertically
*Students fill out the research the problem section

27. The Scientific Method 2. Research the problem or question
1. How would the materials affect the marshmallow?
2. Background information on catapults.
3. How does wind resistance factor
into shooting items?
*Students if you do not have 3 ideas,
copy one down

28. The Scientific Method 3. Explore Ideas
- Choose 3 distinct, different ways to test your question.
- List 1, 2 and 3 vertically
*Students fill out the research the problem section, leave number three blank.

29. The Scientific Method 3. Explore Ideas
1. Throw an item at different angles and measure the distance.
2. Use a rocket launcher to launch an item at different angles and measure the distance.
3. Use a catapult to launch an item at different angles and measure the distance traveled by the item.
*Students make sure number three is the same as on your lab sheet.

30. The Scientific Method 4. Plan Summary
- Restate your best “Explore idea” and state the scientific reasoning for your choice.
*Students come up with your own plan summary, DO NOT say I choose number three because…

31. The Scientific Method 4. Plan Summary
1. Use a catapult to launch an item at different angles and measure the distance traveled by the item. The reason I chose this idea was because the experiment is easy to reproduce and the materials are easily available.
*Students make sure the idea is the same but the reason can be different.

32. The Scientific Method Side note-
1. To help out with the hypothesis, a brief overview of the procedure: pennies will be used to change the height of the catapult, from 0 pennies to 6 pennies. The pennies will be place on the front side of the catapult.

33. The Scientific Method 5. Hypothesis A hypothesis is an educated guess.
You predict what you think the
answer to your question might be.
Write it in an “If…then…because…
statement.

34. Hypothesis Write a hypothesis from the testable question.
What is the effect of temperature on the height of a plant?

35. Hypothesis If temperatures rise,
then the height of the plant will increase,
because plants need warmth to grow.

36. Hypothesis Write a hypothesis from the testable question.
What is the effect of changing the angle on the distance traveled of an item?
*Students write your own hypothesis using the If, Then, Because format.

37. The Scientific Method 5. Hypothesis If ___ pennies are added to the
front of the catapult
Then the item launched will go
the furthest
Because of Science!
*Students make sure you have a Science reason and
you have filled in the blank with a number 0-6.

38. The Scientific Method 6. Materials
List all of the materials you will use during the lab. NO quantities just plurals.
*Students make a list of all the materials you will need for the experiment.

39. The Scientific Method 6. Materials -Rubber bands -Popsicle sticks
-Spoons
-Pennies
-Marshmallows (item to be shot)
-Measuring device (ruler/meter stick)
-(pencil/paper)
*Students if you are missing something make sure to add it to your list

40. The Scientific Method 7. Procedures
Write the “logical steps” you will follow to complete the experiment.
Test your hypothesis.
* Students you will need to have the procedure and data chart done at the beginning of class tomorrow. Chart needs to include enough room to do 5 trials, mean, median and mode and 0-6 pennies for the angles. Don’t forget to include titles.

41. The Scientific Method
7. Procedures

42. The Scientific Method 8. Data and Observations Label charts and graphs
Appropriate use of charts and graphs
NEVER make-up fake data
All data must include measurements
Evidence of procedures followed in obtaining data

43. The Scientific Method 9. Analysis
Detailed and objective summary of data collected. Show math calculations
Work and/or reasoning explained as needed

44. The Scientific Method 10. Conclusion – Restate hypothesis
State your data/Say what happened
Support/Explain: Use data to substantiate your hypothesis claim.
Reflection including scientific reasoning for the changes to be made in variables.

45. Analysis Questions
What is the first thing a scientist does in the scientific method?
Why did you predict the responding variable the way you did?
Why is it important to keep the control variables the same?

46. Summary
3-4 sentences
What did you think before about the scientific method
What did you learn about the scientific method
Further Thoughts or Questions

47. Reflection
Think of another toy you could experiment with, and identify one manipulated variable and one responding variable.