1. The Nature of Science

2. What is Science?
The goal of science is to understand the world in which we live!

3. The Scientific Method
No set order!

4. Observation
Employing your five senses to perceive objects or events

5. Asking a Question
Based on observations; one or more questions are generated
Questions should be meaningful and testable!
You must be able to create an EXPERIMENT based on that question

6. Hypothesizing
Possible explanation for what you think will happen in a certain situation
Based on research or observations!
A clear statement that can be tested
Hypothesis = a statement that says what scientists think will happen when an experiment is tested
Needs to be a clear statement and something that can be tested and measured
Ex. Room temperature water will make plants grow taller than boiling water.

7. Experimenting
Testing a hypothesis or prediction by gathering data under controlled conditions
Based on a comparison of a control group with an experimental group
What are we testing here?
Can be simple!

8. Parts of Your Experiment
Independent variable = factors you change
Dependent variable = the result of what you changed
Constants = factors you keep the same
DRY MIX
Example: want to know if bigger engines make cars go faster
Independent variable = size of engine
Dependent variable = speed of car
Constants = same track, same car, etc.

9. Parts of Your Experiment
Control Group:
An experiment where one group receives no treatment
Used for comparison
Experimental Group:
Group that has had the independent variable added to it
Example continued
Control group = speed of car that has a normal size engine (size not changed)
Experimental group = car with bigger engine

10. Collecting Data Data = evidence
Includes all measurements & observations made during the experiment
Repeat trials and average your results to reduce random error

11. Types of Data
Quantitative data = results that are measured and described with numbers
Examples: 5 mph (speed), 2 feet (length)
Qualitative data = results that are described in words; from our five senses
Examples: color, texture

12. Organizing Data
Involves placing observations and measurement (data) in order
Graphs, charts, tables, or maps

13. Analyzing Data Collected and organized data must be analyzed
Process of determining whether data are reliable or whether they support or do not support a hypothesis or prediction

14. Forming a Theory supported with much experimental data
a broad and comprehensive statement of what is thought to be true

15. Communication Share the results of their studies with other scientists
Publish findings in journals or at scientific meetings
Subject to examination and verification by other scientists = peer reviewed
Allows scientists to build on the work of others
Can’t trust findings if it hasn’t been peer reviewed!

16. Let’s practice together!
Patrick believes that fish that eat food exposed to microwaves will become smarter and would be able to swim through a maze faster. He decides to perform an experiment by placing fish food in a microwave for 20 seconds. He has the fish swim through a maze and records the time it takes for each one to make it to the end. He feeds the special food to 10 fish and gives regular food to 10 others. After 1 week, he has the fish swim through the maze again and records the times for each.
Hypothesis? Fish that eat food exposed to microwaves will be able to swim through a maze faster.
Control group? 10 fish that get regular food
Independent variable? Type of food
Dependent variable? Smartness
Conclusion? They all did a little better the second time, so microwaved food doesn’t make a significant difference
Next steps? New hypothesis?