1. Notes Science Tennessee SPI Objective: Essential Questions
SPI 0807.Inq.2
(Tools and Procedures)
Science
Tennessee SPI Objective:
Select tools and procedures needed to conduct a moderately complex experiment.
Essential Questions
1) Which tools and procedures would be best to use when conducting a science experiment? 
2) How do I correctly use common scientific tools such as spring scales, triple-beam balances, metric rulers, calculators, graduated cylinders, stop watches, etc.
Check for Understanding
Identify tools and techniques needed to gather, organize, analyze, and interpret data from a moderately complex scientific
investigation.

2. Notes SPI 0807.Inq.2 Tools and Procedures
Science
Tools and Procedures in Science
Procedures in science are called the scientific method
Scientific Method
Step 1: Make Observations
Step 2: Ask A Question
Step 3: Form A Hypothesis
Step 4: Test The Hypothesis
By doing experiments
Step 5: Analyze The Results
Step 6: Draw Conclusions
Step 7: Communicate results
A key task is to test your hypothesis by doing detailed and thorough experiments (step 4 shown above)

3. Notes Take Notes: just copy down the green text
SPI 0807.Inq.2
Tools and Procedures
Notes
Take Notes: just copy down the green text
Science
Procedures in Experiments
In an experiment you…
…measure quantities and/or qualities
…should record in detail everything you do and observe.
…should conduct multiple trials.
…should include independent variables, dependent variables, constants, and controls.
Ex: Medical researchers might test a new flu virus vaccine to
learn how many people it protects from the flu. (quantity).
This is a quantitative/objective measurement.
Ex: Software designers might measure the “playability” of new
Playstation or X-Box video games (quality).
This is a qualitative/subjective measurement.

4. Key Concepts in Experiments
In an experiment…
…you should only test for ONE key thing at a time
This is called the…
Independent Variable
…after you introduce the independent variable, you observe what happens.
This response/result is called the…
Dependent Variable
Items or events that are repeated exactly the same way each time you duplicate an experiment are called…
Constants
NOTE: You should also conduct a control experiment where you either eliminate out the independent variable or use a neutral independent variable (called a placebo)

5. Scientific Tools In an experiment…
…you measure things with the metric system using tools such as:
…a spring scale
-measures force (weight)
-unit of measure:
newtons (N)

6. Scientific Tools In an experiment…
…you measure things with the metric system using tools such as:
…a graduated cylinder
-measures liquid volume
and/or
-the volume of irregular shaped objects
(water displacement method)
-unit of measure:
milliliter (mL), liter (L)
Link (1 min 57 sec):
How to Read a Graduated Cylinder
Link (3 min 45 sec):
Finding the Volume of an Irregular Shaped Object

7. Scientific Tools When determining the volume of an object…
…you can use a metric ruler for regular-shaped solid items.
Use this formula: Length x Width x Height
-useful for cubes and/or rectangular prisms
Link (1 min 7 sec): Calculating Volume of Regular Shapes

8. In an experiment…you measure things using tools such as:
…a triple-beam balance
-measures mass
-unit of measure:
milligrams (mg) , grams (g) , kilograms (kg)
Link (2 min 25 sec):
How to use a Triple-Beam Balance-Video

9. Scientific Tools
In an experiment…you measure things using tools such as:
…a metric ruler or meter stick
-measures length
-unit of measure:
millimeters (mm) , centimeters (cm), meters (m) , kilometers (km)

10. Scientific Tools
In an experiment…you measure things using tools such as:
…a thermometer
-measures temperature
-unit of measure:
degrees-Celsius (C) or Kelvins (K)

11. Scientific Tools
In an experiment…you might need to examine tiny things…
…you would use a microscope
-two types: (1) regular microscopes, (2) electron microscopes

12. -you could use a pH indicator
Scientific Tools
In an experiment…
…you might need to measure the strength of an acid or base
-you could use a pH indicator
-unit of measure:
pH scale from 0 to 14

13. Scientific Tools In an experiment…
…you might use a galvanometer to measure electrical current
-measures both the strength and direction of electrical current
…to just measure the current you could use an ammeter

14. Scientific Tools In an experiment… …you also might use… -beakers
-test tubes
-flasks
beaker
Test tubes
flask

15. Scientific Tools In an experiment… …you also might use… -hot plates
-petri dishes
-burners
hot plate
Bunsen burner
Petri dish

16. SPI 0807.Inq.2
Tools and Procedures
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Science

17. SPI 0807.Inq.2
Tools and Procedures
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18. SPI 0807.Inq.2
Tools and Procedures
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Science

19. SPI 0807.Inq.2
Tools and Procedures
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Science

20. SPI 0807.Inq.2
Tools and Procedures
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Science