1. Topic: Scientific Method
Aim: How do scientists solve problems?
Do Now:
Why do you think it’s important for scientists to use a formal and organized method to conduct an experiment?

2. The
Scientific
Method
Model, guide, or technique used to solve problems and to get information

3. 6 STEPS Always in the form of a question What you want to solve
1. State a Problem

4. Does Light Affect the Rate of Plant Growth?
Problem
Does Light Affect the Rate of Plant Growth?

5. 2. Form a Hypothesis EDUCATED GUESS Suggested answer to the problem
Based on prior
knowledge

6. Different Color Light will Increase/Decrease the rate of Plant Growth.
Hypothesis
Different Color Light will Increase/Decrease the rate of Plant Growth.

7. TEST IF HYPOTHESIS IS RIGHT OR WRONG
3. Perform an
Experiment
TEST IF HYPOTHESIS IS RIGHT OR WRONG
Gather materials
Design procedures

8. Experiment
Grow the plants for 5 weeks. 10 plants are placed under each color light. 10 are grown under just the sun. They will get the same amount of light, & will be watered every 2 days. Their height will be measured (in centimeters) once a week.

9. Writing down all data/observations that are made during the experiment
You can make a Data Table or keep a log or journal of observations.
4. Record your
RESULTS

11. Data Table Construction:
Easiest and most Accurate way is to label the Columns with your Independent and Dependent Variables. Include Units of Measurement!

12. 5.State a Conclusion Answers the question stated in the problem
A conclusion is a multi-sentence statement that:
5.State a
Conclusion
Answers the question stated in the problem
States if the hypothesis is right or wrong?
Explains data

13. Conclusion
My hypothesis was wrong. Plants grow best under blue light, not green light. The plant under blue light grew 11cm while the plant under green light grew only 2 cm.

14. Repeat
the experiment
The entire experiment must be done again to be valid.
Valid – proven to be logically true; to be proven legitimate
To find any errors

15. Problem
Hypothesis
Experiment
Results
Conclusion
Repeat
Purple
Hippos
Eat
Really
Cold
Raviolis
PHERCR

16. Make a list of possible solutions for the following problem:
Topic: Lab Skills
Aim: How do scientistis create experiments?
Do Now:
Make a list of possible solutions for the following problem:
Possible solutions to getting the ping pong ball out of the hole are:
1._________________
2._________________
3._________________
A ping pong ball falls in a hole beyond your reach, how do you get it out?

17. 2 types of variables: 1. Independent Variable
The factor that is purposely altered by the researcher, that may or may not lead to change in the dependent variable. Generally it is the factor that you are testing.

18. 2. Dependent Variable
The factor that is being measured to see if the independent variable caused a change.

19. A Controlled Experiment contains two groups:
All experiments are designed to be controlled
A Controlled Experiment contains two groups:
1. Experimental group
Is the group of subjects that are being tested on.
This group does receive the factor being tested called the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE

20. 2. Control group Is the group of subjects that is used to compare to
Does not contain the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE

21. What is the Independent variable is this experiment?
The color of the light

22. Everything between the 2 groups must be exactly the same except for the Independent variable!!!

23. “SMARTtastic”
A new company called Smartkids has created a new product called SMARTastic. The company claims that the product will increase your grades by ten points in one month.
What is the variable?

24. Experimental Group
Control group
100 students
7th graders
85 average
Take SMARTastic
100 students
7th graders
85 average
DO NOT take SMARTastic

25. Independent variable = ?
SUNLIGHT

26. Dependent Variable?
Growth of plant

28. Use a larger sample size Use only one variable
What must be
done to make
results of an
experiment
more reliable
or valid?
Repeat experiment
Use a larger sample size
Use only one variable