1. The Scientific Method

2. Objective:  By the end of today, students will be able to:  Understand the process behind the scientific method.  Use the scientific method for the purpose of solving problems and explaining phenomena.

3. Vocabulary: Terms to know by the end of today: HypothesisIndependent Variable TheoryDependent Variable LawControl Group ConstantExperimental Group Variable

4. Getting Started: Posing A Question  Starting with an observation  Problem or question about an observation Image obtained from: http://www.ctpsych.org/about/PublishingImages/man_question_mark.jpg

5. The Big Idea: Developing a Hypothesis  Hypothesis: a possible explanation for a set of observations or an answer to a question  Must satisfy the four scientific criteria! Image obtained from: http://www.desktopclass.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/hypothesis.gif Testable NaturalReproducible Falsifiable

6. To The Lab: Designing an Experiment  Experiment: a controlled test of a hypothesis  Constants  factors which remain the same throughout the experiment  Variables  factors which change during the experiment Image obtained from: http://fitcom.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/lab.jpg

7. To The Lab: Designing an Experiment  Independent Variable  Factor that you directly change during the experiment  Dependent Variable  Factor that changes in response to you changing the independent variable Image obtained from: http://fitcom.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/lab.jpg

8. To The Lab: Designing an Experiment  Experimental Group  Contains the independent variable  Control Group  Does not contain the independent variable Image obtained from: http://fitcom.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/lab.jpg

9. Test Away: Collecting Data & Results  Data collected, observations recorded  Organizing results:  Tables  Charts/graphs  Allows for easy interpretation of data Image obtained from: http://static8.depositphotos.com/1037238/818/v/950/depositphotos_8181000-Kids-in-science-lab.jpg

10. Thinking Hard: Drawing A Conclusion  Analyze data, make sense of data  More questions:  What was learned by doing the experiment?  Was your hypothesis supported or disproven?  Support conclusions with data/evidence Image obtained from: http://www.cio.com/images/content/articles/body/2012/06/data-scientist.jpg

11. Sharing is Caring: Communicating Your Results  Share your findings with scientists & non-scientists alike  Publish in science journal  Present at conferences or meetings  Converse with other scientists– some may be wondering the same things as you! Image obtained from: http://blog.globe.gov/sciblog/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Students-poster-SSS2012.png

12. Keeping It Straight: Hypotheses, Theories, and Laws  Hypothesis  Possible explanation for a set of observations  A possible answer to a question  Educated guess based on inferences Image obtained from: http://cf.ltkcdn.net/safety/images/std/116698-300x199-Scigoggles1.jpg

13. Keeping It Straight: Hypotheses, Theories, and Laws  Theory  A well-tested explanation for wide range of observations or experimental results  As close to proof as science can get  “Well-tested”– different tests, different people, lots of times  Why or how something happens Image obtained from: http://skreened.com/render-product/c/x/n/cxnrkzzfwpgguqcckecg/theory-vs-hypothesis.american-apparel-unisex-fitted-tee.silver.w760h760.jpg

14. Keeping It Straight: Hypotheses, Theories, and Laws  Law  A description of what scientists expect to observe every time under certain conditions  Describes a pattern; no attempt to explain it  Usually involves math formulas  What is expected to happen Image obtained from: http://www.skepticalscience.com/pics/SciencePolice.jpg