1. Scientific method
Pre/Post Evaluation

2. 1. Which of the following BEST defines science?
The study of everything
A way of knowing about the natural world through observation and experimentation
Facts and theories
The process of proving and disproving opinions and ideas

3. 2. Which of the following BEST describes the scientific method?
A rigid protocol for how to conduct scientific investigations
A theory used by scientists to evaluate claims
A set of guidelines used to help scientists seek answers to questions
A method used by scientists to determine how to solve a problem

4. 3. Who uses the scientific method?
Only scientists use the scientific method to conduct research
Everyone uses the scientific method to evaluate product claims, to fix things that are broken, to find out more about how systems work

5. 4. After observing a pattern in nature and questioning why the pattern exists, the next step is to:
Perform an experiment to determine why the pattern exists
Formulate a testable explanation for the existence of the pattern
Use what you know about the system and come up with an explanation that satisfies your curiosity about the pattern

6. 5. Which of the following is an example of a testable hypothesis?
Global warming is bad for the planet
Humpback whales breech (jump out of the water) when they are happy
Crime increases during a full moon
Mermaids exist because the Discovery channel had a documentary about them

7. 6. Which is the BEST example of an independent variable?
The independent variable is the one that a scientist changes to determine if that change causes an effect
The independent variable is the one that a scientist keeps consistent
The independent variable is one that the scientist can’t control for

8. 7. Which of the following is NOT correct concerning the process of science?
Science cannot prove the existence of supernatural beings
Science cannot resolve controversial debates about morality and ethics in society
Science cannot prove or disprove a hypothesis, it can only lend support for or against it
All statements are correct concerning the process of science