1. Engaging in Scientific Inquiry
Scientist Boot Camp
Engaging in Scientific Inquiry

2. Goals of Boot Camp To Become Proficient In…. Scientific questioning
Writing a hypothesis
Procedural development
Table construction/organization
Graphing skills
Data analysis
Writing a “Power” conclusion

3. Homeostasis
Maintaining relatively constant internal environmental conditions even in a changing system.

4. Thermoregulation

5. A good scientific question…
Answers something new
Is based on/builds upon previous research/knowledge
Is practical
Is simple
Is specific
Furthers current scientific understandings

6. A Hypothesis… Is a tentative answer to a well developed question
MUST be testable!
Gains credibility by surviving MULTIPLE attempts to falsify them
“If….then…because”
Writing your hypotheses in this format will help you
Identify your independent and dependent variables
Focus on the reasoning for the claim you are making

7. Designing an Experiment
Only one variable should be tested at a time
Attempt to either control or minimize the impact of all other variables
Identify the following within the experiment:
Experimental/independent/manipulated variable
Dependent/responding variable
Experimental group(s)
Control group(s)
Control variables

8. Sampling Size & Procedure

9. Tables
Use a table to…
Present lists of numbers or text in columns/rows
Tables should be numbered and have a title
Each column/row should have a label
DO NOT use a table to…
Show a trend or a relationship between sets of data
Table 1: Male & Female Color Preference
Blue
Pink
Other
Male
130 60
110
Female 90
120 80

10. Graphs
Use a graph to…
Show a trend or a relationship between sets of data
Graphs should be numbered (Figure 1, 2, etc.) and have a title
The graph’s title should describe what data is being displayed
Both X and Y-axis should have a label and include units
Provide a key if appropriate

11. Graphs Bar Graphs… Compare things between different groups.
Line Graphs…
Track local changes from one point to another.
Figure 1: Trash on the Beach: Type and Amount Total
Figure 2: Absorption Spectrum of Spinach Chlorophyll Extract
Number of Pieces

12. Graphs
Scatter Plots…
Show how much one variable is affected by another.
The relationship between the two variables is called their coorelation.
Figure 3: Frequency and Duration of Old Faithful Eruptions

13. Data Analysis
Identify the overall trends/patterns displayed on your graph
What is the overall change/difference?
How do averages compare?
What are the slopes/rates of lines?
Figure 4: Reaction rate over time with and without enzymes

14. A Great Conclusion… Refers back to the prediction/hypothesis
If your data does not support your hypothesis this does NOT mean that your data is bad, or that your experiment was a failure!
Answers the question/reflects on hypothesis
Refers to the collected data
Trends/patterns (averages, slope/rate, overall change)
Explains WHY you obtained the results you did
This should include a scientific explanation!
Analyzes possible sources of error
Identify at least one source of error & explain how this impacted data.
Propose an improvement that eliminates/minimizes error & predict the effect of the correction on new data.
Identifies possible future research
Should be related to/extend this study in some way.