1. Learning to THINK like a SCIENTIST!!!
SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY
Learning to THINK like a SCIENTIST!!!

2. Designing an Experiment
Designing an experiment starts with what?
Observation!
What’s an observation? What do we use to make them?
We use our Five Senses to make an observation!
Then a question regarding that observation is asked.
The PROBLEM QUESTION
From there you must figure out a way to collect data that will help answer your question.

3. The PROBLEM QUESTION…
Before you ask this question you must know what VARIABLES you are working with.
Every experiment has two variables:
INDEPENDENT
and
DEPENDENT

4. INDEPENDENT VARIABLE
This is the variable that you will be controlling (changing) in the experiment.
This is the variable that might effect the results of the experiment.

5. DEPENDENT VARIABLE
This is what you will be measuring in the experiment.
This is the variable that gives you the data you will be collecting.
Let’s Practice with an Airplane lab!!!

6. Airplane Lab Each cadet will make their own paper airplane
Then, each will take turns throwing their paper airplane only once
Next, each cadet will make one modification to their airplane
Who has the closest birthday to today? That cadet can make as many modifications as they want

7. Airplane Lab
Now throw a second time from the same spot as the first time
How did your modification cause your airplane to fly differently?
If you made many modifications which ONE modification caused your airplane to fly differently?
What are some other parts of this lab that changed from the first throw to the second throw?

8. Airplane Lab
In the airplane exercise we just did, what was the I.V. and D.V.?
I.V.= the different modifications you made to the plane.
Because you controlled what changes to make.
D.V. = Distance the plane traveled.
Because we can measure how far it traveled.

9. Let’s Practice… Pepper Lab
You want to grow some big peppers this summer, but you do not know which fertilizer will make them grow biggest. Last year you didn’t use any fertilizers, so this year you set up five rows of peppers. Here is what you put on each row:
1. Cow poop Miracle Grow
3. Nitrogen Nothing
5. Compost

10. Let’s Practice… Pepper Lab
You want to grow some big peppers this summer, but you do not know which fertilizer will make them grow biggest. Last year you didn’t use any fertilizers, so this year you set up five rows of peppers.
QUESTION:
What is the I.V. ?
What is the D.V.?

11. ANSWER… I.V. = type of fertilizer Because it is what we are
controlling/changing.
D.V. = size of the peppers
Because this is what we are
measuring.

12. Let’s Practice Some More…
Tea Lab
You want to know if sugar will dissolve faster in cold or hot tea.
QUESTION:
What is the I.V. ?
What is the D.V.?

13. ANSWER… I.V. = temperature of the tea Because it is what we are
controlling/changing.
D.V. = time it takes the sugar to dissolve.
Because this is what we are
measuring.

14. Setting Up a Data Tables
When you make a data table:
the I.V. always goes on the LEFT
the D.V. always goes on the RIGHT 1 2 3 4 20 21 22 23
I.V.
D.V.

15. The PROBLEM QUESTION…
Now that you know what variables are, you can write the problem question for the experiment!!!
Follow this formula:
What is the effect of the _________
on the ________?
I.V.
D.V.

16. Let’s Practice… ANSWER: Airplane Lab
Write the problem question for the Airplane Lab.
ANSWER:
What is the effect of the different types of
modifications on the distance the plane travels?
I.V.
D.V.

17. Let’s Practice… ANSWER: Pepper Lab
Write the problem question for the pepper experiment.
ANSWER:
What is the effect of the type of fertilizer on the size of the peppers?
I.V.
D.V.

18. Let’s Practice Some More…
Tea Lab
Write the problem question for the hot and cold tea experiment.
ANSWER:
What is the effect of the temperature of the tea on how much time it takes the sugar to dissolve?
I.V.
D.V.

19. Designing an Experiment
Starts with an observation.
Then a question regarding that observation is asked.
The PROBLEM QUESTION
From there you must figure out a way to collect data that will help answer your question.

20. Designing an Experiment
Next, you think about what you expect the outcome to be.
This is done BEFORE the experiment and is based on your prior knowledge of the situation. (NOT a guess!!!)
The HYPOTHESIS:
An “Educated Prediction” not a guess!
“I don’t care what you think, feel or believe!”
Science is about FACTS not opinions!

21. The HYPOTHESIS… Follow this formula: If _________________________
Then the ___________
will _________________________
State how the I.V. is being changed.
D.V.
increase, decrease, OR stay the same
Choose only one!!!

22. Let’s Practice Together…
Write a hypothesis for the Airplane experiment using the “variable” you chose!
ANSWER:
IF I use a paper clip on my plane, Then the airplanes distance will increase.
I.V.
D.V.

23. Let’s Practice… ANSWER: Write a hypothesis for the pepper experiment.
IF the type of fertilizer is cow poop
Then the size of the peppers will increase.
I.V.
D.V.

24. Let’s Practice Some More…
Write a hypothesis for the hot and cold tea experiment.
ANSWER:
If the temperature of the tea increases
Then the time it takes the sugar to dissolve will stay the same.
I.V.
D.V.

25. Use your notes to help you!!!
Review
You want to know if you will perform better on a science exam if you study for 30 minutes a night instead of the usual 60 minutes.
Write the I.V. & D.V.
Problem question
Hypothesis for the following scenario.
Use your notes to help you!!!

26. Answers I.V. = the time you study each night
D.V. How well you perform on the exams
What is the effect of the time I study for my science exam on how well I perform on the science exam?
If I study 30 minutes a night for my exam, than my exam grade will increase.

27. Designing an Experiment
Now you know how to:
Make an Observation
Determine the I.V. and the D.V.
Write a Problem Question
Write a Hypothesis
But, there’s more to understand here…

28. Constants and Controls
In every experiment you can only change one variable. The rest must be held constant.
A constant is something that stays the same throughout the lab.
What was the constant in the Airplane Lab?
Where you stood during your throw!
The control group is…
the part of the lab that we use to compare our results to! No changes are made to the control in the lab! (Usually the original)
What was the control in the Airplane Lab?
The First throw! B/c I can compare the 2 throws!

29. The CONTROL GROUP… Challenge…
You will collect data from this group, BUT it does not have any of the I.V.
Challenge…
What is the control group in the Pepper experiment???
Answer: The row without any
fertilizer!!!

30. Identifying Controls and Variables
Smithers thinks that a special juice will increase the productivity of workers. He creates two groups of 50 workers each and assigns each group the same task (in this case, they're supposed to staple a set of papers). Group A is given the special juice to drink while they work. Group B is not given the special juice. After an hour, Smithers counts how many stacks of papers each group has made. Group A made 1,587 stacks, Group B made 2,113 stacks.
1. Independent Variable
2. Dependent Variable
3. Control Group

31. Answers… I.V. which group gets the special juice
D.V. how many stacks of papers each group has made.
Control is Group B because they did not get the special juice. We can compare the results to this group!

32. Identifying Controls and Variables
Homer notices that his shower is covered in a strange green slime. His friend Barney tells him that coconut juice will get rid of the green slime. Homer decides to check this out by spraying half of the shower with coconut juice. He sprays the other half of the shower with water as always. After 3 days of "treatment" there is no change in the appearance of the green slime on either side of the shower.
1. Independent Variable
2. Dependent Variable
3. Control Group

33. Answers…
I.V. which side of the shower was sprayed with what substance.
D.V. the appearance of the green slime in the shower
Control the side of the shower that was sprayed with water.

34. Identifying Controls and Variables
Bart believes that mice exposed to microwaves will become extra strong (maybe he's been reading too much Radioactive Man). He decides to perform this experiment by placing 10 mice in a microwave for 10 seconds. He compared these 10 mice to another 10 mice that had not been exposed. His test consisted of a heavy block of wood that blocked the mouse food. He found that 8 out of 10 of the microwaved mice were able to push the block away. 7 out of 10 of the non-microwaved mice were able to do the same.
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
3. Control Group

35. Answers… I.V. Which mice were microwaved or not.
D.V. If they could move the heavy wood block or not.
Control The mice that were non-microwaved.

36. Experimental Design Mission

37. Your Mission… For each of the following experiments write:
The independent variable
The dependant variable
A problem question
A hypothesis
5. Control group

38. Breakfast Experiment #1
A study is being conducted to find out if students who eat a healthy breakfast before school perform better academically.
One group of students is given no breakfast. A second group is fed junk food, and a third group is fed a healthy breakfast. The students are then given a test.

39. Breakfast Experiment #1
The independent variable- The different types of breakfast consumed
The dependant variable- test scores
A problem question/statement- What is the effect of the different types of breakfast consumed by students on their test scores?
A hypothesis- If a student eats a healthy breakfast then their test scores will increase.
5. Control group- No breakfast

40. Air Freshener Experiment #2
I see a commercial on T.V. that claims this product removes Jon’s bad odors better than any other. I decide to try the product and see if it really works on Jon’s bad odors. For the first week I used Febreeze on Jon, for the second I use Stink-B-Gone on Jon, for the third week I used Why-B-Stinkin’ on Jon and for the fourth week, unfortunately I used nothing on Jon!

41. The Air Freshener Experiment #2
The independent variable- Different types of air freshener
The dependant variable- the amount of odor removed
A problem question/statement- What is the effect of the different types of air freshener on the amount of odor removed?
A hypothesis- If the air freshener used is Febreeze then the amount of odor removed will increase.
5. Control group- No air freshener

42. Flashback Questions
What is the difference between a control and a constant?
A constant is something that stays the same throughout the lab.
The control group is the part of the lab that we use to compare our results to! No changes are made to the control in the lab! (Usually the original)
Why is the control so important in a lab?
It allows us to compare the variables in the lab!

43. Writing a conclusion to an experiment…
A conclusion is how you will share the overall results of your experiment. Every conclusion needs to have the following FOUR items…
The PURPOSE of the experiment
The HYPOTHESIS
3. What the data showed (results statement)
Use at least 2 examples of Data (numbers) to support the results statement.
4. If the data supported or did not support my hypothesis.

44. Writing a PURPOSE… Use the formula:
The purpose of the experiment was to determine the effect of the (I.V.) on the (D.V.).
Write a purpose statement for the pepper lab
The purpose of the experiment was to determine the effects of the different fertilizers on the size of the peppers.

45. Pepper Lab Data Type of fertilizer (I.V) Cow poop Miracle Grow
Choose a fertilizer and write a hypothesis.
Type of fertilizer (I.V)
Cow poop
Miracle Grow
Nitrogen
Nothing
Compost
Size of Peppers (D.V.)
4 inches
1 inch
2 inches
3 inches
8 inches
My Hypothesis: If I use cow poop, then the size of the peppers will increase.

46. Pepper Conclusion Example
1. The purpose of the experiment was to determine the effects of the different fertilizers on the size of the peppers.
2. My hypothesis was if I use cow poop, then the size of the peppers will increase.
3. The data showed that as I used cow poop, the peppers increased from 3 inches with no fertilizer to 4 inches in size.
4. The data did support my hypothesis.

47. Write a conclusion for the Breakfast Lab using this data.
I.V. types of breakfast
D.V. test scores
Type of Breakfast
Test Scores
No Breakfast
Junk Food
Healthy breakfast
72%
84.3%
94.5%

48. Breakfast Conclusion
The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of the different types of breakfasts on the test scores. My hypothesis was that if I eat a healthy breakfast then my test scores will increase. The data showed that with no breakfast the test scores averaged a 72%, but with a healthy breakfast test scores averaged a 94.5%. The data did support my hypothesis.

49. Air freshener Lab Type of Air Freshener Febreeze Stink-B-Gone
Write a conclusion for the air freshener Lab using this data.
I.V. types of air fresheners
D.V. days he smelled good
Type of Air Freshener
Febreeze
Stink-B-Gone
Why-B-Stinkin’
Nothing
Days he smelled good
4 days out of a week
6 days out of a week
2 days out of a week
0 days out of a week

50. Air freshener Conclusion
The purpose of this experiment was to find the effect of the different types of air fresheners on the amount of days he smelled good.
My hypothesis was that if I use frebreeze on him then his stink would decrease.
The data showed that with no air freshener he smelled good zero days, but with frebreeze he smelled good for four days.
The data did support my hypothesis.

51. Flatulence Experiment
Mr. Miller and Mr. Bais wanted to see what types of food would make them the most gassy. First they tried bake beans. The next day they tried broccoli. The following day they tried cabbage. They also took data without eating any food.
Find the I.V. and D.V.
Write a Hypothesis

52. YOUR MISSION….
*Classwork* Write the conclusion for the Flatulence experiment.
Every conclusion needs to have the following FIVE items…
The PURPOSE of the experiment
The HYPOTHESIS
What the data showed (results statement)
Data (numbers) to support the results statement.
Remember to use two examples. Maximum and minimum.
5. If the data supported, did not support, or was not clear about the hypothesis.

53. The Data Was your hypothesis correct?
Types of Food
No Food
Baked Beans
Broccoli
Cabbage
Amount of Flatulence
13 Flatulence
41 Flatulence
34 Flatulence
26 Flatulence

54. Flatulence Experiment
IV- The type of food eaten
DV- The amount of Flatulence
Problem Question- What is the effect of the type of food eaten on the amount of Flatulence ?
Hypothesis- If the type of food eaten is baked beans then the amount of Flatulence will increase.
Control Group- No food

55. Flatulence Experiment Conclusion
The purpose of this experiment was to find the effect of the different types of food eaten on the amount of Flatulence produced.
The hypothesis was that if the food eaten was baked beans that the amount of Flatulence produced would increase.
The data showed that with no food the amount of Flatulence was 13, but with the use of baked beans the Flatulence increased to 41.
The data supported the hypothesis.

56. Flavored Dog Bone Experiment
Type of Flavored Dog Bone
Time spent with bone
Fish
15 minutes
Beef
25 minutes
Liver
2 minutes
Chicken
5 minutes
Lamb
12minutes
Original Bone
10 minutes
So that I am not wasting money, I want to find out what kind of flavored bone is my dog’s favorite. I buy five different flavored bones (chicken, beef, liver, fish, and lamb) and leave out her original rawhide bone; then I keep track of the amount of time my dog spends with each flavored bone.

57. Flavored Dog Bone Answers
The independent variable- Different types of flavored dog bones
The dependant variable- amount of time the dog spends with the flavored bone
A problem question- What is the effect of the different types of flavored dog bones on the amount of time the dog spends with the flavored bone?
A hypothesis- If the dog is given a beef flavored bone then the amount of time the dog spends with the bone will increase.
5. Control group- The original rawhide bone

58. *Flavored Dog Bone Experiment
The purpose of this experiment was to find out the effect of different flavors of bones on the time the dog spends with the bone. My hypothesis was if the bone is beef flavored, the amount of time the dog spends with the bone will increase. The dog spent 25 minutes with the beef flavored bone, compared to the 10 minutes the dog spent with the original bone. The data did support my hypothesis.

59. CaCl2 Experiment Conclusion
The purpose of this experiment was to find out the effect of different amounts of CaCl2 on the temperature of the water. My hypothesis was if the amount of Cacl2 is increased then the temperature of the water will increase. The data showed that the temperature did increase. At 0 scoops of CaCl2 the temperature was 20.4o Celsius. When I added one scoop it was 21.2o, 2 scoops 22.3o and the temperature continued to increase. The data supported my hypothesis.