1. Bellwork: 8/15 Take out your Unit Book! What is the scientific method?
Week 8/13-8/187
What is the scientific method?
Do you know any steps to the scientific method?
If yes, list as many as you remember. If no, what steps do you think are part of the scientific method?

2. Objective
Students will learn about the scientific method & learn how to identify experimental variables

3. Today:
Finish Lab
Part II Notes
Variable Practice
Lab Safety

4. Materials
Unit Book

5. Homework
None 
Late Credit: binder, google classroom & syllabus signature

6. Finish Lab

7. Unit I: Intro to Biology

8. Part II: Scientific Method

9. Scientific Method
Scientific Method: step by step method for testing a scientific hypothesis
Steps:
Make an observation
Form a research question
Form a hypothesis
Conduct an experiment
Analyze data & draw a conclusion

10. Step 1: Making an Observation

11. Importance of Making Observations
Scientists try to understand the natural world around them
They use PHYSICAL evidence that they discover through OBSERVATIONS

12. Step 2: Form a Research Question

13. Rules for Writing Research ?’s
State research questions in question form
Start with phrases like:
“To what extent…” does _______ affect _______.
“What evidence indicates…” that _______ affects _______.
Avoid questions that can be answered with yes or no
BE SPECIFIC!
Questions MUST be able to be answered through experimentation with PHYSICAL evidence

14. Are These Good Scientific Questions?
What is the meaning of life?
What is the best sunscreen?
What sunscreen has the highest SPF?
How does the SPF value of sunscreen affect skin cancer rates?

15. Step 3: Form a Hypothesis

16. Hypothesizing
Hypothesis: a prediction that forecasts what the effect of something might be
Expresses a logical explanation that can be tested

17. Steps for Writing a Good Hypothesis
Your prediction of the outcome of an experiment and WHY
Ex: Harambe will run a mile in 1 hour because…
Ex: The longer the hamster’s legs are, the faster it can run because…

18. Step 4: Conduct an Experiment

19. Identifying & Manipulating Variables
Variables: Factors, conditions, and/or relationships that can change or be changed in an event
WHAT WE ARE MEASURING!!

20. Three Kinds of Variables:
Independent variable: changed on purpose by the investigator in an experiment
THE VARIABLE THAT IS MANIPULATED

21. Three Kinds of Variables
2. Dependent Variable: changes because the independent variable changed
Responds because of the change
3. Control Variable: a variable that is not changed

22. Variable Practice
How do the different plant fertilizers affect the succulent growth?
Independent:
Dependent:
Control:

23. Types of Experiments Type 1 – Single Variable Type 2 – Multi-Variable
SIMPLE
Ex: “How long will it take for Harambe to run a mile?”
Type 2 – Multi-Variable
MORE COMPLEX
Ex: “How does the length of hamsters’ legs affect their
running speed?”
(What affect will variable 1 have on variable 2)

24. Step 5: Analyze Data & Draw Conclusions

25. Analyzing Data
Science is based on empiricism – a search for knowledge based on experimentation and observation
Two types of observations
Quantitative: (quantity) measurements, data, NUMBERS!
Qualitative: (quality) describes, WORDS!

26. Qualitative vs. Quantitative
Qualitative – WORDS, DESCRIPTIONS, OBSERVATIONS
Quantitative – NUMBERS, DATA, MEASUREMENTS
Examples:
Qualitative:
Quantitative:

27. Creating a Scientific Model
Model – a tool scientists use to help them understand observations and make better inferences
Can you see any scientific models in this room?

28. Draw Conclusions Look @ the qualitative & quantitative data
Determine if your data supports or rejects your hypothesis
RETEST!!!

29. Next Week…
Quiz on Monday!! (Characteristics of Life, Scientific Method & Pseudoscience)
You will use the scientific method to design your own experiment – hatching Brine Shrimp!

30. Simpsons Variable Practice