1. How do we think like a scientist?
The Scientific Method
How do we think like a scientist?

2. We will be able to: Understand why we use the scientific method
Apply the scientific method to an experiment
Demonstrate proper lab safety procedures
Standard
Students will identify and investigate problems scientifically.

3. Scientific Method
Inquiry- The search for information and explanation of that information
Scientific method - The process of inquiry and investigation that researchers use to gain knowledge.
We use scientific method to help us understand the world around us better.
Did you know? The word Science is derived from Latin and means “to know”

4. Scientific Method Steps
There are 7 main steps to the scientific method.
Observation/Prediction: begin by observing the world around you and determining what might happen.
What do you want to figure out?????
Hypothesis: Create a scientific guess about what may occur.
This is always written in an If… Than… statement!

5. Scientific Method Steps Continued
4. Experiment: Create and execute an experiment to test your hypothesis 5. Data: Collect and analyze data 6. Conclusion: Compare your data to your hypothesis. Did the data support or reject your hypothesis and why? 7. Retest: If the data did not support, then you must retest your hypothesis!

6. How to create an experiment
Goal: How can I figure out how to find an answer to my question?
You must create a Procedure (steps)
Important Points for Procedure
Conditions
Variables

7. 2 types of Conditions 1. Experimental Group
The condition where we change what we are testing for
Example: If I am testing to see if my jump-shot will get better with practice, then my experimental condition will be practicing my jump-shot.
2. Control Group
The condition that will not change what we are testing for
Example: If I am testing to see if your jump-shot will get better with practice, then my control condition will be not practicing.

8. !!IMPORTANT!!!
The only way you will be able to tell if your hypothesis is correct is if you see a difference between the experimental condition and the control condition
Example: Is there a difference between the
shooter that practices and the one that
doesn’t?

9. Quick Check
Jaquan and his twin sister Jaquita have acne. They want to see if their acne will clear up if they stop eating greasy food. They decide that Jaquita will stop eating greasy food and Jaquan will continue to enjoy his french fries and chicken fingers.
Which group is the experimental (test) group?
Which group is the control group?

10. Variables The ONLY things that can change in an experiment.
EVERYTHING ELSE MUST BE THE SAME!

11. Types of variables: Independent Variable
The variable that you manipulate, or change
Also called the manipulated variable
What are you changing to get a result?
Most common: Time, Temperature

12. Types of variables: Dependent Variable
The outcome of the experiment. ALWAYS a measurement.
Responses or answers you get from the experiment because they DEPEND on what happens in the experiment
Our example: The number of jump-shots made

13. Quick Check
Hypothesis: If Jamal wears baggy pants, then he will get less dates.
Which is the DEPENDENT variable and which is the INDEPENDENT variable?
What things are changing?
Which one are we manipulating?
Which one depends on what happens during the experiment?

14. Quantitative: Number based
Types of data
There are 2 types of data
Quantitative: Number based
Number of carrots, how many liters is in that bottle?
2. Qualitative: Observation/description based
Colors, sounds, taste

15. Observation vs. Inference
Something you gather with one or more of your senses
Example: LeBron makes 90% of his jump-shots.
Inference
A conclusion you make based on observations
Example: LeBron must just be naturally good at basketball
This is NOT an observation!

16. Evaluate whether conclusions are reasonable by reviewing the process and checking against other available information.
Evaluate! Evaluate! Evaluate!
The experiment has to be carefully constructed so that other scientists can replicate it to test
its validity and reliability

17. Exit Ticket Please take out a separate sheet of paper.
On top, write your name and your block #
Number 1-5

18. 1) What is a hypothesis? A.) the longest side of a traingle
iRespond Question F
Multiple Choice
A.) the longest side of a traingle
B.) a guess based on chance
C.) an educated guess/explaination
D.) the problem
E.)

19. Which group is the test/experimental group?F
Multiple Choice
iRespond Question
2) A drug company wants to see if their pill makes people lose weight. One group gets their weight-loss pill and the other group gets a sugar pill, or a placebo.
Which group is the test/experimental group?
A.) the group that took the weight loss pill
B.) the group that took the sugar pill
C.) both groups are test groups
D.) neither group is a test group
E.)

20. Which group is the control group?
3) A drug company wants to see if their pill makes people lose weight. One group gets their weight-loss pill and the other group gets a sugar pill, or a placebo.
Which group is the control group?
iRespond Question F
Multiple Choice
A.) the group that took the weight loss pill
B.) the group that took the placebo (sugar pill)
C.) both groups are control groups
D.) neither group is a control group
E.)

21. 4) At warmer temperatures, mold will grow faster on bread
4) At warmer temperatures, mold will grow faster on bread. What is the independent variable?
iRespond Question F
Multiple Choice
A.) temperature
B.) growth of mold
C.) the bread
D.)
E.)

22. 5) At warmer temperatures, mold will grow faster on bread
5) At warmer temperatures, mold will grow faster on bread. What is the dependent variable?
iRespond Question F
Multiple Choice
A.) the temperature
B.) the mold
C.) the bread
D.)
E.)