2. Science is NOT:  a bunch of facts about animals, plants, computers, etc.  a boring subject in school!  TRUTH

3.  We DO science!  Formal Def: The intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment

4.  Using observation and experimentation to better understand our world.

5. Any ideas?

6.  Scientists think… “YES there is!”  Scientific Method ◦ Observation ◦ Hypothesis ◦ Experiment ◦ Results ◦ Conclusion

8.  We have to find something that piques our curiosity!

9.  A hypothesis is an explanation for the observations we make.  We don’t start a hypothesis with “I think…” Ex: My cat is dead 

10.  We come up with the best way to test our hypothesis.  We experiment to see if our hypothesis is true or false. Ex: Watch to see if she breathes / Poke her

11. Sample Experimental Question: Does my cat prefer to do her ‘business’ in FreshStep, TidyCats or Yesterday’s News kitty litter? The variables we would need to measure are ________________ & ____________________

12. TidyCats Yesterday’s News Fresh Step MEOW

13.  Independent variable (I.V.) ◦ Something we manipulate! ◦ We look for the I.V. to cause some kind of change. ◦ Usually happens first!  Dependent variable (D.V.) ◦ Changes in response to the independent variable. ◦ Usually happens second!

14.  How does ________________ depend on ______________? Independent V. Dependent V. Independent V. Dependent V.

15.  Identify the variables!  In order to earn some spending money, you rake leaves for several hours after school for your neighbors. How much money will you earn?

16.  What was the result of your experiment?  This might also be where you include important graphs and charts.  Statistics…

17.  The most important part of any scientific exploration.  Where you explain the results! ◦ Were there any trends or patterns in the data? ◦ What is the significance of what you found?

18.  Recall English class…ah the memories.  Summarize results and make a statement!

19. 1. Observation 2. Hypothesis 3. Experiment 4. Results 5. Discussion 6. Conclusion

20.  Science helps us to answer all our questions! …Plus…if it weren’t for science, we may have never thought to do this! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2XQ97XHjVw