1. The Scientific Method

2. What is Science? Science is a tool.
We use it to learn about the world around us.
Science is how we as an individual learns

3. What is the Scientific Method?
It is the steps someone takes to identify a question, develop a hypothesis, design and carry out steps or procedures to test the hypothesis, write down data, and draw a conclusion.
In other words, it’s a way to solve a problem and learn about the world around us.

5. Steps in the Scientific Method
Problem/Question
Observation/Research
Hypothesis
Experiment
Collect & Analyze Data
Conclusion
Application/Retest

6. Making Spaghetti Sauce
Everyday Science
Scientific Method
Making Spaghetti Sauce
Observation
Spaghetti sauce should be red.
Hypothesis (prediction)
Try a tomato sauce.
Test
Heat pot of tomato sauce.
Observe result
Taste the sauce - its bland.
Revise hypothesis?
Use tomato sauce, garlic, salt, onion!
New test?
Add all ingredients, taste - not so bland.
Scientific Theory
The Final Recipe.

7. Problem/Question
All good scientific inquiry begins with a problem or a question about a topic.
This problem can be solved through experimentation.

8. Do plants need water to grow?
Asking questions
Do plants need water to grow?
Does exercise make your heart beat faster?
All investigations start with a question !

9. What question could these children be investigating?
What are they predicting will happen?

10. What are these two finely dressed children investigating?
What are they observing?

11. Observations Gathered through your senses
People watch, listen, notice, smell, and yes taste, to make observations
This is often called research (learning about problem)

12. Observations
An example of an observation might be noticing that many salamanders near a pond have curved, not straight, tails

14. Hypothesis A possible solution to the problem. Must be testable
Often written as If…Then… statements
Based on relationship between independent and dependant variables.

15. What are these two finely dressed children investigating?
What do you think they predicted would happen?

16. Hypothesis
An example of a hypothesis might be: The salamanders have curved tails due to a pollutant in the moist soil where they live.

17. Experiment
A test is performed to determine if the hypothesis was correct.
materials list is created
A detailed procedure is developed and followed.
Data is collected and measured

18. Analysis Analyze the data you collected and the results obtained.
Then confirm by retesting again.
Modify the procedure if needed.
Adjust the hypothesis if needed and retest.

19. Conclusion
Conclusion: includes a statement that either accepts or rejects the hypothesis.
As conclusion is written, include any data tables, charts, graphs and photographs to prove your point.

20. Conclusion
It is usually the answer to the hypothesis based on the data obtained from the experiment

21. Application/Retest
This is when the results of the experiment are applied to real life to solve the problem. OR
Even more retesting is done to make sure of the results.

22. Scientific Experiments Follow Rules
An experimenter changes one factor and observes or measures what happens.

23. Important vocabulary There are 3 types
Variable – A factor in the experiment that is being changed, watched, or manipulated by the person doing the experiment.
There are 3 types

24. The Main Variables
independent variable. – The factor that is changed or manipulated on purpose by the experimenter.
You manipulate it to see how it affects the dependent variable.
There can only be one (1) independent variable in any investigation or experiment.

25. The Main Variables
dependent variable. - The factor that responds to changes in the independent variable. It is measured or observed it is what you look for changes in.
This is the observed result of independent variable changes.
There can be more than one in an experiment

26. The Control
control variables – are factors or parts of the experiment that are kept constant
They are NOT tested
They are used for comparison to see if the independent variable made a change.

27. The Constants
Frequently mistaken for controls but not exactly the same thing.
Are NOT for comparison in any way. Are small and don’t seem to matter.
These are often little factors you need to manage in the experiment, so they do not affect the outcome of the experiment.
Ex. The amount of sun light, water…

28. Example of Controls & Variables
For example, suppose you want to figure out the fastest route to walk home from school.
You will try several different routes and time how long it takes you to get home by each one.
Since you are only interested in finding a route that is fastest for you, you will do the walking yourself.

29. What are the Variables in Your Experiment?
Varying the route is the independent variable
The time it takes is the dependent variable
Keeping the same walker throughout makes the walker a constant (control).

30. It is best to make several trials (retests) with each independent variable.

31. Practice question 2
Does changing the temperature of a ball affect the height the ball will bounce?

32. Practice question 2
Does changing the temperature of a ball affect the height the ball will bounce?
Written in the blue is the dependant variable
Written in red is the independent variable
Control variables on next slide

33. Control Constants Same ball Dropped from same height
Dropped onto same surface
Control
Dropping the ball at normal temp.

34. Valid Experiment
A valid experiment will only have ONE variable tested!
It is repeatable by anyone
Has detailed step by step procedure
Has precise materials list
Has all other factors controlled

35. Sometimes we can feel lost or overwhelmed in a science class
Sometimes we can feel lost or overwhelmed in a science class. Don’t be just ask for help.