1. Science Basics

2. What is the scientific method?
A process that uses evidence find answers to questions

3. Scientific Method Question Hypothesis Experiment Analyze Data
Conclusion

4. Question Ask a question based on an observation
Notice something and wonder why, what, or how?

5. Hypothesis Make a statement about why you think something is happening
MUST BE TESTABLE!

6. Experiment Set up an experiment that will test your hypothesis
Only test 1 variable at a time!

7. Analyze Data Gather data from the experiment
Organize it into a chart or graph and analyze it

8. Conclusion
Restate your hypothesis in the form of a logical conclusion based on the results of the experiment

9. What if your hypothesis is not correct?
Now what?
Was the experiment set up to test the hypothesis correctly?
Am I asking the right question?
Make a new hypothesis based on your data collected?
Start a new experiment?

10. Experimental Design
Hypothesis: a proposed explanation for a set of observations
MUST BE TESTABLE!
Theory: A well tested explanation
The best explanation we have RIGHT NOW of what is going on
Can be changed if new data is found
Law: A well confirmed statement that is always true

11. Independent Variable The factor that is changed by you (the scientist)
What am I testing?
Graphed on the X-axis

12. What is the independent variable?

13. Dependent Variable
The variable that changes in response to the independent variable
What am I measuring?
Graphed on the Y-axis

14. What is the dependent variable?

15. Control Variable The normal state of the independent variable
What will I compare my results to?
Allows for a comparison

16. Constants
Things that must be kept the same to ensure accurate results

17. Example Experiment
Smithers thinks that a special juice will increase the productivity of workers. He creates two groups of 50 workers each and assigns each group the same task (in this case, they're supposed to staple a set of papers). Group A is given the special juice to drink while they work. Group B is not given the special juice. After an hour, Smithers counts how many stacks of papers each group has made. Group A made 1,587 stacks, Group B made 2,113 stacks.