1. THE SCIENCE OF BIOLOGY IN AGRICULTURE

3. Science n A process through which nature is studied, discovered, and understood. n Biology is the study of life.

4. Processes of Science n Observing n Hypothesizing n Experimenting n Measuring n Collecting data n Organizing data n Analyzing data n Communicating

5. Terms and Definitions n Hypothesis – An educated guess – a testable statement –Example: The sidewalk is wet because the sprinklers came on

6. What are the steps of the scientific method?

7. Scientific Method n 1. Stating a problem Something is considered a problem if its solution is not obvious. Some crucial information is missing. Solving the problem involves finding this missing information.

8. Scientific Method n 2. Collecting information on the problem The more you know about the problem the more precisely you can state the problem and the less time you will waste looking for solutions.

9. Scientific Method n 3. Making a hypothesis –a. Use what you know about the problem to predict a solution and try it. –b. Look for patterns that will help you make predictions about the problem.

10. Scientific Method n 3. Making a hypothesis –c. Make a model, or a representation, of what you’re working with. –d. Break the problem down into smaller, simpler problems.

11. Scientific Method n 4. Performing an experiment Design an experiment that will provide a means for you to make a solid conclusion about your hypothesis.

12. Scientific Method n 5. Make a conclusion A solid conclusion is related to the hypothesis and based on the results of a well designed experiment.

13. Experimental Design Concepts

14. n A science experiment is designed so that only one variable is being tested at a time.

15. Experimental Design Concepts n Independent variable (IV) – What is being tested.

16. Experimental Design Concepts n Dependent variable (DV) – What is being changed.

17. Experimental Design Concepts n Constant (C) – What is kept the same.

18. Experimental Design Concepts n Trials (T) – How many times you do the experiment

19. What makes a good experiment n Repeated trials n One variable