1. Scientific Inquiry Scientific Inquiry Foldable Notes taken in class.
The process scientists use to explain the world around them based on evidence.
Scientific Inquiry Foldable Notes taken in class.

2. Pose a Question
Scientific Inquiry begins by posing a question based on observation, personal experience, inferences, and/or curiosity that can be studied or tested.

3. Develop a Hypothesis
A Hypothesis is a reasonable answer to a scientific question. Strong Hypothesis are posed as If ____________, then_____________. statements because these statements make it clear what is being tested and what we expect to see. For Example: If I water 5 potted plants with different amounts of water (30ml, 40ml, 50ml, 60ml, & 70ml) each day for a month, then the pot getting 50ml of water will have the tallest plant.

4. Conduct an Experiment
An experiment must test your hypothesis and follow sound scientific principles in order to be considered valid (correct/true). (Be sure your experiment is free from Bias and that you have multiple trials) The variables of your experiment must be controlled. Every experiment should have… 1-Manipulated variable – this variable is the only that will be different and is controlled by the tester. 1-Responding variable – this variable is what happens as a result of the manipulated variable and cannot be controlled by the tester. All other Variables– All other variables must be held constant…meaning they have to be the same.

5. Conduct an Experiment--Example
My Manipulated Variable – Amount of Water (30, 40, 50, 60, 70ml)
My Responding Variable – Height of the Plants
All other variables will be held constant.
Same type of water Same location (sun, temp. etc.)
Same kind and amount of soil
Same size pot -- water at the same time each day
Making sure that only one variable is altered will ensure that I am testing what I believe I am testing. Changing anything else will lead to false conclusions.

6. Collecting and Interpreting Data
Before you begin your experiment
Decide what observations you will make.
Decide what data (facts, figures, evidence) you will collect—qualitative, quantitative, both.
Decide how you will collect your data
Data table
Chart
Organized notes

7. Collecting and Interpreting Data
After collecting your data, you need to interpret it by looking for patterns or trends in the data. This can be done by using graphing the data. Each graph has a specific purpose. Be sure to use the correct graph when evaluating your data. For Example:
Pie/circle graph = Part to whole or percentage
Bar/pictograph = comparing quantities of data
Histogram = compares ranges of data
Line/ double-line graph = shows change over time
Box Plot = trends in data
Stem and Leaf Plot = trends in data and comparison

8. Draw a Conclusion
A conclusion is a summary of what you have learned from your experiment that either supports or refutes your hypothesis.
Your conclusion should be drawn from an objective examination of your data.
Data should consist of multiple trials because experiments that cannot be repeated are not valid.
Data won’t always support your hypothesis. If this is the case, you may need to look at how your experiment was designed or propose a new hypothesis to test from what you have learned.

9. Communicating the Information
Communicating is the sharing of ideas and results.
This can happen through giving talks at scientific meetings.
Exchanging information on the internet
Publishing articles in scientific journals or books
When scientists share, they describe their procedures so that other scientists can repeat their experiments.
Before results are published, other scientist will review the experiment and results to check for error, bias, misinterpretation and/or faulty conclusions.

10. Collect & Interpret Data Draw Conclusions Communicate the Information
Color
Pictures
Neat
Scientific Inquiry
Pose a Question
Develop a Hypothesis
Conduct an Experiment
Collect & Interpret Data
Draw Conclusions
Communicate the Information
First & Last Name, Per.__