1. Unit 1: Scientific Inquiry

2. Essential Questions:
How do scientists observe the world?
How do they use these observations in scientific investigations?
How do scientists test, and share their ideas with others?

3. Vocabulary to look out for!
Dependent/responding/ outcome variable
Empirical evidence
Interpretation
Controlled experiment
Natural experiment
Repetition
Replication
Qualitative observation
Quantitative observation
Scientific method
Science
Experiment
Scientific Investigation
Inference
Hypothesis
Test Variable/ manipulated/ independent variable
Control/constant variable
data

4. Types of Observations
Qualitative- descriptive, what is visible → the flower is purple
Quantitative- numbers→ the flower has 5 petals
When observing ask “ who, what, where, and when”

5. Observations, Inferences, and Interpretation
Observations: facts →the cat is lying down
Inference: logical conclusion based on reasoning
→the cat is sleeping
→the cat is dead
Why is the cat asleep?→the cat is tired
Interpretation: observation with the addition of our personal bias→ The cat is so cute!

6. How good is your observational skills?

7. How good are your observational skills?
How many cars were in the picture?
How many of those cars were green?
What did it say on the store sign?
What is the name of the school?
Name one object that was in a window.

8. The Scientific Method
A systematic approach for scientists to answer questions.
The exact steps of the method may vary based on the question that is being posed, but it always includes the following ideas.

9. Steps of the Scientific Method
Pose a question or problem
Gather information
Construct Hypothesis
Test with an experiment
Analyze results
Share your findings
Re-test, re-think, narrow answer and form new questions and hypothesis

10. Step 1- Pose a Question or Problem
This will define the focus of your research
Make sure the question is testable and scientific
Meaning it can be answered with evidence, rather than an opinion
Ex: Will my plant grow faster if I play it music?
Investigate other information on the subject
Read other research or books
Step 2: Gather research

11. Step 3: Generate a hypothesis
Hypothesis- a testable, educated guess to answer your question or is a possible solution to the problem based on your research
Written in an “If…Then” format
It must be testable.
Ex. If the plant is played soft classical music, then it will grow at a faster rate than if no music was played at all.

12. Step 4: Design an Experiment
Parameter: something that can be measured.
Ex. Plant growth, amount of music, ….

13. Experimental design- Parameters
Independent variable- what you are manipulating or changing on purpose
Ex: Music
Dependent variable- changes in response to or because of the manipulated variable
Ex. Plant growth

14. Experimental design- Parameters
The parameters that don’t change are called the controls. Your control group is used for comparison.
The controls DO NOT change so you can be more sure that your manipulated variable CAUSED your responding variable to change
Ex. Soil, water, sunlight, seeds

15. Experimental design: Replicates
Replicates are the repetition of an experiment (trials) and the same conditions are kept in the experiment.
Provides better statistical data (averages)

16. Natural vs Controlled Experiment
A controlled experiment is an investigation where only ONE parameter is manipulated at a time, while a natural experiment is variable due to the changes on earth.
Ex. The plant experiment would be a controlled experiment, while an experiment to see which plant grows the best in your garden would be natural.

17. Step 5: Collecting and Analyzing Data
Data are the facts figures and other evidence gathered through observations
As you collect the data you got from your experiment, write it down.
Organize your data into a chart, table, or graph
Use pictures or photos to explain your results
Analyze your data by writing a summary of what happened in your experiment.

18. Average daily height of the radish plant (mm)
Plant Data
Condition
Average daily height of the radish plant (mm) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
With music 57
124
193
267
359
451
543
658
761
872
984
Without music 58
112
173
247
342
436
527
633
727
813

19. Step 6: Analyze data/Draw Conclusions
Does the results of your experiment support your hypothesis or not?
Do you need to revise your hypothesis and retest?

20. Step 7: Communicate your results to others
Share what you found out from your experiment
Scientists make presentations and write papers so others can repeat their experiments

21. Summary Question: Will a plant grow faster if music is played to them
Hypothesis:
Dependent Variable:
Constants:,
If music is played to the plant, then it will grow faster.
Independent Variable: Music
Level of I.V
Repeated trials
Music
No Music 10 10
Plant growth (mm/day)
Temperature, water, sunlight, soil, seeds

22. Scientific Investigation
how scientists study the natural world
ask a question then find a way to answer it
Ex. Dr. Earle observed that bamboo coral glowed blue when touched, another scientist tried to answer how and why

23. Observational Research
observe without interfering
Ex. animals in a natural setting
does not have to have a clear research problem

24. Opinion-Based Research
Use a survey or conduct interviews to find out what people think about a certain subject
Analyze data
Ex. lunchables flavors

25. Scientific Thinking: Open-mindedness Vs. Skepticism
curiosity, creativity, biases, skepticism, and open-mindedness
Open-mindedness- capable of accepting new and different ideas
Skepticism- having an attitude of doubt
prevents scientists from accepting ideas that are presented without evidence

26. Scientific Theory
well-supported and widely accepted explanations of the way nature works
scientific observations and experimental results support a theory
constantly testing theories
if new observations or experiments do not support a theory, theory may change or be thrown out

27. Scientific Law
statement that describes what scientists expect to happen every time under a certain set of conditions
Scientific laws describe observed patterns in nature without trying to explain those patterns
Ex. Law of gravity, Newton’s first law of motion

28. Scientific Modeling
Model- representation of a simple or complex object or process
Ex. pictures, diagrams, 3D objects
Scientists use models to understand things they can’t observe directly
Can help understand large or small things or processes
E. the universe, an atom, weather systems

29. Scientific Modeling
Can help scientists to predict changes in a system as a result of a change in input or system feedback