1. I Think Therefore I Am…A Scientist!
Obj. 1.01
I Think Therefore I Am…A Scientist!
The Scientific Method
(Part 1)
Rivers & Laxton
7th Grade Science

2. The Scientific Method
The ways in which scientists answer questions and solve problems.
Scientists often use the same steps, but there is no real set way to get to the answer.
In other words, the steps are often not followed in a straight line path. There are multiple paths to get to the answer.

4. Observation
Using all of your senses to gather information about the world around you.
Your observations and experiences often lead you to a question to be answered or a problem to be solved.

5. Asking Questions
Some questions cannot be investigated by scientific inquiry.
Good scientific questions can be answered through good observations and gathering evidence.
“Which makes a better pet—a cat or a dog?” , is not a scientific question because its answer depends on personal opinion.
Scientific questions cannot be about personal tastes or judgments.

6. Developing a Hypothesis
After deciding on a question, scientists find out all they can about the subject.
This is called research.
They then develop a hypothesis.
A hypothesis is a possible answer to a set of observations or an answer to a scientific question.
A HYPOTHESIS MUST BE TESTABLE!!!
Only after testing a hypothesis many times can it be accepted to be true.

7. Designing an Experiment
Scientists perform controlled experiments to test their hypotheses.
All experiments contain variables, or factors, that can be changed in the experiment.
In a controlled experiment, only one variable at a time is changed.
While doing the experiment, scientists collect data, which are observations and measurements.

8. Analyzing Data
After collecting data, scientists then analyze the data.
Create graphs and charts to show any patterns in their data.

9. Drawing Conclusions
Once scientists study their data, they then decide if the data supports their hypothesis—does the data say if the hypothesis was right or wrong.
Sometimes the conclusion leads to a new question that can be tested with another experiment.

10. Communicating the Results
Once a scientist reaches a conclusion, they then tell others what they found out.
Often, scientists write a paper or speak to other scientists who may then try to duplicate their work.

11. You, the Scientist
Even though you may not think of yourself as a scientist, you do these same things every time you need to solve a problem.

12. Title of Experiment
Problem: How can you determine …? ALWAYS A QUESTION 
Hypothesis: If you ……., then you can determine …, because……….. 
Procedure: Step by step tell what you did during the experiment 1. 2. 3.
Results:
Graph, data table, observations, etc…
Conclusion: PARAGRAPH
Rewrite question in statement form
Restate what you thought was going to happen
Describe your results
Explain the reasoning behind your results

13. Why should a hypothesis be testable?
Today’s Exit Slip
Answer the following question on the slip of paper provided to you. Answer in a complete sentence. Put your name on your slip of paper. Turn this in on your way out. Thank You!!
Why should a hypothesis be testable?