2. Experiments
Laboratory activities and experiments require us to do things in a standard way so they can be repeated by anyone to get the same result.
These are organized into steps called the Scientific Method.

3. Step 1: Objective
The Problem that the laboratory activity is to solve (Purpose).
Written as a question.
Like “How can I get more
sugar to dissolve in water?”

4. Step 2: Research/Information
Gathering information about the subject before the activity.
Find out what is known or has already been discovered about the subject.
Like “Water is easy to heat up or cool down.”

5. Step 3: Hypothesis
Suggested solution or proposed explanation for a problem or observation.
Written as an “If…then” statement.
If (independent), then (dependent variable).
Like “If I raise the temperature of the water, then more sugar will dissolve in the water.”

7. Independent Variable Factor that does not “depend” on anything.
If there are a few independent variables, only one is changed at a time to see its effect. The others are kept constant, known as Controls.
What are some independent variables for this experiment?

8. Independent Variable Examples
Container (metal, ceramic, insulated, thick)
Type of water (city, well, bottled, filtered)
Type of sugar (plant, pure, powder, granules)
Freshness of sugar and water
Amount of sugar and water
Temperature of water
Temperature of room
Humidity (moisture in the air or the sugar)

9. Dependent Variable
The factor you want to know that is being tested or measured.
Its value can change since it “depends” on the independent variable.
Like the amount of sugar that dissolves depends on the temperature of the water.

10. Step 4: Experiment
Test the Hypothesis by controlling the independent variables and measuring the dependent variables.

11. Step 5: Observation
Using your senses (what the scientist sees, hears, feels, smells, or tastes)
to collect data.
Data = measurements
and information.

12. Step 6: Analysis
Use tables and graphs to figure out what the information is revealing.

13. Step 7: Conclusion Result of a laboratory activity.
Explain the data in words and tell if it supports the Hypothesis.

14. Scientific Method Steps
Objective
Research/Information
Hypothesis
Experiment
Observation
Analysis
Conclusion

15. 1) Write a Hypothesis
You notice that when salt is sprinkled on an icy sidewalk, the ice melts even when the temperature is below freezing. Why?
Hypothesis: If salt is sprinkled on an icy sidewalk, then it melts the ice by changing (lowering) its melt (or freeze) temperature.

16. 2) Write a Hypothesis
You see that fish hatched in stagnant water have a lower rate of survival than fish hatched in water that is mixed and aerated. Why?
Hypothesis: If the water is mixed and aerated, then it has enough oxygen in it that young fish need to survive.

17. 3) Write the Independent Variables, Dependent Variables, and Controls
Mike put 100 red seeds, 100 brown seeds, & 100 yellow seeds in a bird feeder. He counted the number of each color left after 2 days.
Independent Variables: Seed color
Dependent Variables: Number of colors left
Control Variables: 100 of each seed to start, same bird feeder, 2 days time for each color
Concern: season, seed size, height, mix, preds

18. 4) Write the Independent Variables, Dependent Variables, and Controls
Liz tested how high 5 brands of golf balls would bounce when dropped from a height of 2 meters off of the same floor tile each time.
Independent Variable: Brands of golf balls
Dependent Variable: Bounce height
Control Variables: 2 meter start height, bounced off of same original floor tile
Concern: dropper, temperature, humidity