1. The Scientific Method

2. What is the scientific method? All scientists use a variety of scientific methods to obtain knowledge and formulate strategies to answer questions.

3. Observe and Ask Questions All scientific understanding of our natural world is based on observation All scientific understanding of our natural world is based on observation Observation is the most important part of the scientific method Observation is the most important part of the scientific method Observation involves one of our five senses Observation involves one of our five senses There can be many questions at the beginning of an investigation, but generally, a scientist will try to answer one at a time There can be many questions at the beginning of an investigation, but generally, a scientist will try to answer one at a time

5. Collect Initial Data and Hypothesize Initial data is usually obtained by observation, measurement, or sampling Data is then used to make a hypothesis, an educated guess, to answer the question. A hypothesis must be able to be tested.

6. Forming a Hypothesis It is just before dinner time and you see taco meat cooking on the stove… It is just before dinner time and you see taco meat cooking on the stove… Your hypothesis is _______________ Your hypothesis is _______________ It’s your birthday and you walk into a room to find your friend suddenly pushing something behind the couch. You see scissors and tape lying on the floor… It’s your birthday and you walk into a room to find your friend suddenly pushing something behind the couch. You see scissors and tape lying on the floor… Your hypothesis is _______________ Your hypothesis is _______________

7. Set Up an Experiment!! All experiments will contain 2 groups All experiments will contain 2 groups 1. control group – under normal conditions 2. Experimental group- contains the manipulated factor (a variable is changed) There will also be 2 variables in each experiment There will also be 2 variables in each experiment 1. Independent variable- factor that gets changed/manipulated 2. Dependent variable- what you measure

8. Identify the control group, experimental group, independent and dependent variable for the scenario below: On what surface (other than hard) does a tennis ball bounce higher? On what surface (other than hard) does a tennis ball bounce higher? Control group= hard surface Control group= hard surface Experimental group= grass, clay Experimental group= grass, clay Independent variable= surface of court Independent variable= surface of court Dependent variable= height of bounce Dependent variable= height of bounce

9. Identify the control group, experimental group, independent and dependent variable for the scenario below: Does having breakfast affect a student’s performance on a test Does having breakfast affect a student’s performance on a test Control group = NO breakfast Control group = NO breakfast Experimental group = WITH breakfast Experimental group = WITH breakfast Independent variable = food intake Independent variable = food intake Dependent variable = test grade Dependent variable = test grade

10. Analyze Data and Draw Conclusions After collecting data in the experiment, we then analyze it and infer to determine a conclusion. After collecting data in the experiment, we then analyze it and infer to determine a conclusion. Question: Does our data support our hypothesis? Question: Does our data support our hypothesis? Answer: NO  we change our hypothesis and start over Answer: NO  we change our hypothesis and start over Answer: YES  check to make sure our data agrees again, if it continues to be upheld scientific theories and laws may result! Answer: YES  check to make sure our data agrees again, if it continues to be upheld scientific theories and laws may result! Report our findings to the scientific community