1. 1.1 Scientific Method
Chapter 1

2. Warm-up
What is “science?”

3. Objectives Students will be able to: Standards:
Outline the steps of the scientific method
Make inferences based on data
Design a controlled experiment
Identify DV & IV
Standards:
BIO.B.3.3.1

4. What is “Science?”
An organized way to use evidence to learn about the natural world

5. Where does evidence come from?
OBSERVATIONS!
Scientists use observations to gather data

6. Types of Data QuaNtitative Qualitative data Numbers data Examples?
Observations

7. What next?
Observation: You are sitting in a train station. A man carrying a briefcase runs past you.
You make an inference
A logical interpretation of observations

8. Testing Evidence Ask a scientific question…
A question that can be answered through experimentation
Examples of a scientific question:
Does Pepsi have more carbonation than Coke?
What is the effect of smoke on lung cancer?

9. Testing Evidence What is a non-scientific question?
Did Abraham Lincoln like the color blue?
Is Monday night football more fun to watch that Sunday night football?

10. Testing Evidence Scientific Question or no?
Why is basketball a boring sport?
Did grass turn brown because it needs fertilizer?
Does studying for a test positively impact the result?
Why is Dunkin’ Donuts coffee tastier than Wawa’s?

11. Answering the question
A hypothesis is a possible explanation for a set of observations
A possible answer to the scientific question

12. Answering the question
True or False:
There is only one hypothesis for a set of observations.
It needs to be a testable statement
A hypothesis is always correct

13. Activity: Inference Cubes

14. So you have a hypothesis…
How do you figure out if your hypothesis is correct?
Answer: EXPERIMENTATION

15. Designing an Experiment
An experiment tests an hypothesis
An experiment compares two or more groups
Ex: fertilizer vs. no fertilizer

17. Designing an Experiment
An experiment involves variables
Variables = factors that can change
Controlled variables: variables that are the same in the two groups
Independent or manipulated variable: the single factor that is different between the two groups
Dependent or responding variable: the result of the experiment, what is measured

18. Independent or manipulated variable Dependent or respondent variable
Practice
Controlled variable
Independent or manipulated variable
Dependent or respondent variable

19. Practice: Redi’s Experiment

20. Activity: Simpson’s Experiments