1. The Scientific Method

4. Observation vs. Inference
Observation – something you can see, smell, touch, hear, or taste. What is an example of an observation? Inference – A judgment based on an observation What is an example of an inference?

5. Different Types of Observations:
Quantitative Observations - measurements with numbers
Qualitative Observations - are made using your senses…
What do you smell, see, feel, hear, taste?

6. THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
The scientific method is a series of steps for experimentation that is used to explore observations and answer questions.
May use all the steps or just some
May repeat some steps or do them in a different order

7. 1. Scientific Question
A scientific question is based on an observation and must be something that can be tested and measured.

8. “How does changing _____ affect _____?”
Scientific Question
Example:
“How does changing _____ affect _____?”
Independent variable – it’s what the scientist changes. ONLY ONE
Dependent variable – the data that you observe or measure
Control variable – part that never changes
independent variable
dependent variable

9. “How does changing the brand of toothpaste affect tooth whiteness?”
Scientific Question
Example:
“How does changing the brand of toothpaste affect tooth whiteness?”
Independent variable –
Dependent variable –
Control variable –
Toothpaste brand
Tooth whiteness
Time of brushing, type of brush, foods eaten, etc

10. 2. Hypothesis
Hypothesis - A possible explanation or answer to the scientific question “It is expected that if _______, then _______. This is expected because…”

11. When you conduct a scientific experiment you must make sure it is a:
3. Experimenting
When you conduct a scientific experiment you must make sure it is a:
Controlled Experiment- An experiment where only the independent variable is changed.
Reproducible - can the experiment be done again with the same expected results?

12. Analyzing data may include: Organizing it into tables and/or graphs
4. Analysis
Analyzing data may include:
Organizing it into tables and/or graphs
Making comparisons
Evaluating if it is reproducible
Do calculations

13. 5. CONCLUSION & 6. COMMUNICATION
At the end of an investigation, you must always conclude if your results support or do not support your hypothesis.
The results are always important whether or not they support the hypothesis.
Communication is very important. It keeps science going!
Scientific journal, presentation, website, etc.

14. Making Observations and Testing Ideas
In this activity you will make observations and use them to solve a puzzle, just as scientists do.

15. Procedure
1. You will be given the 5 shapes here from your teacher.

16. Procedure
2. Observe the drawing below. Predict how the five shapes could be arranged in make the fish.

17. Procedure
3. Test your idea. You may have to try several times. (Hint: The shapes can be flipped over.)

18. Answer

19. Square Tangram
How is this activity similar to “doing” science? In what ways did you use the scientific method to solve the puzzle?

20. Practice Using the Scientific Method
You will be given a bouncy ball. Examine the ball and come up with a scientific question that you could test the properties of the ball.
Scientific Question:
How does changing __________ of a bouncy ball affect _________?

21. Practice Using the Scientific Method
What is your independent variable? What is your dependent variable?

22. Practice Using the Scientific Method
What do you think is going to happen? Hypothesis: I think ______________ because ___________.

23. Practice Using the Scientific Method
What materials would you need to test your hypothesis? Materials: ● ●

24. Practice Using the Scientific Method
How would you test your hypothesis? Write 5-10 steps that you would follow to test your hypothesis. Procedure:

25. Practice Using the Scientific Method
What data would you collect? Create a data table.
Data:
Bounce height of three different sized bouncy balls.
Temp.
Bounce Height (meters)
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average 0o
25o
75o