1. The Scientific Caterpillar

2. Review – Scientific Method
Lab Title
Goal (what you want to accomplish)
Problem (question)
Hypothesis (what you think will happen, based on experience and research If… then…)
Independent Variable (one thing you change)
Dependent Variable (what you measure)
Materials (shopping list)
Procedure (number each step)
Data (data table or chart and written observations and pictures)
Results – graph your data
Conclusion
Explain how your hypothesis was supported/not supported by the data from your experiment
Identify any possible errors or factors that could have affected your experiment
Discuss what you might do differently next time and what other related experiments you would want to do
What did you learn about the standard or goal

3. What is the Scientific Method?
The Scientific Method is a process that is used to find answers to questions about the world around us. There are several versions of the Scientific Method. Some have a few steps and some have more steps.
All versions begin with the same thing – the identification of an idea, problem, or question based on observations of the world around us.

4. Problem (aka – Testable Question)
A good problem comes from a GREAT idea!
Must be TESTABLE QUESTION – one that can be answered by conducting an experiment.
Do not select a question that can be answered by doing research.
Must provide data that can be measured – no questions that can just be answered yes or no

5. Testable Question. Can I create an experiment to find the answer
Testable Question? Can I create an experiment to find the answer? Does it provide data to be measured? Is it NOT a yes or no question?
Which gum makes the biggest bubble?
Which gum is the most expensive?
How does an eye work?
Which brand of football gloves are the stickiest?
Which brand of football gloves are made with leather?
Does fertilizer affect plant growth?
Which fertilizer causes plants to grow the tallest?
Can I make a volcano with baking soda and vinegar?

6. Notes for Problem Lift up the PROBLEM circle underneath write:
TESTABLE QUESTION

7. Hypothesis
Form a Hypothesis – Educated Guess This is a possible solution to the problem.
Test the Hypothesis - An experiment is performed to determine if the hypothesis is supported or not (there is no right or wrong).
You can gain valuable information even when your results do not support your hypothesis.

8. HYPOTHESIS Written in the IF – THEN – BECAUSE format
If the variable plants received double the fertilizer, then they will grow taller because they are receiving more nutrients.

9. Notes for Problem & Hypothesis
Lift up the HYPOTHESIS circle and underneath write:
Educated guess
IF, THEN, BECAUSE.

10. Variables Independent Variable Dependent Variable
The 1 thing YOU change
What is tested
What is manipulated
***Amount of fertilizer
What you MEASURE
What is observed
What is measured
The data collected during the investigation
Affected by the independent variable
***Height of plants
Controlled Variable
Variables that are not changed
Also called constants
Used for comparisons
Allow for a “fair test”
***Sunlight, water, soil, type of plant, ect.

11. Identify the variables
Students of different ages were given the same jigsaw puzzle to put together. They were timed to see how long it took to finish the puzzle.
Independent Variable
Ages of students
Time it took to put the puzzle together
Dependent Variable
Controlled variable
Same puzzle

12. Identify the variables
The higher the temperature of water, the faster an egg will float.
Controlled variable
Same egg
Dependent Variable
Time for the egg to float
Independent Variable
Temperature of water

13. Identify the variables
A group of students was allowed to listen to music during a test while the other group was not. Test scores were then collected and compared.
Dependent Variable
Test scores
Music
Independent Variable
Controlled variable
Same test

14. Identify the variables
Students each bounced a basketball, a tennis ball, and a bouncy ball on the floor to see which would bounce higher.
Independent Variable
Type of ball
Dependent Variable
Height ball bounces
Controlled variable
Floor, height ball was dropped from

15. Variables Independent –change Dependent –measure Control – same
Lift up the VARIABLES circle and underneath write:
Independent –change
Dependent –measure
Control – same
4. VARIABLES

16. Materials Shopping list Numbered! Lots of DETAILS!
1 ¾ liter water – not some water
4 pieces of 8 ½” by 11” plain white computer paper – not paper

17. What could be improved on this list?
Aluminum foil
Water
Paper
1 box Toothpicks
8 Rubber bands
2 glasses

18. Example of Materials: 1 25 ft roll of aluminum foil
2 liter bottle of drinking water
2 sheets of newspaper
I box of 200 flat, wooden toothpicks
8 small Rubber bands measuring no more than 2” long
2 clear, drinking glasses able to hold at least one liter of water

19. Materials Lift up the MATERIALS circle and underneath write:
Detailed list
5. MATERIALS

20. Procedure
Numbered!
Step by step directions so that someone else could do your experiment exactly the same way.
Very SPECIFIC
Explanation of experiment
Number of times to do the experiment

21. What is the correct order?

22. Procedure Lift up the PROCEDURE circle and underneath write: Numbered
Step – by –step
6. PROCEDURE

23. Data Data table or chart and written observations and pictures
Scientists usually use metric units of measurement
Tree
Height
# of Leaves
Location
Redwood
87 meters
5,687
California
Fern
45 meters
6,478
Minnesota
Pine
13 meters
256
Flagstaff

24. Data
Lift up the DATA circle and underneath write:
Chart 7.
DATA

25. Results Graph Provide information in pictures.
Organize the data so it can be analyzed.
Make it easier to quickly understand relationships in the data.

26. Bar Graphs
When data is grouped in categories, that may not be in order.
Shows countable data with horizontal or vertical bars.

27. Circle or Pie Graphs Compares parts to the whole.
Shows how the parts of data are related to the whole and to each other.

28. Line Graphs Show patterns of ordered data over time.
Shows how data will change over time.

29. Graphs Use a ruler and color
Did you select the correct type of graph for your data?
Are all of your graphs correctly labeled with:
Title
X-axis labeled
Y-axis labeled
Units of measurements are labeled (in metric)
Proper scale – the appropriate high and low values
Data plotted correctly and clearly
Use a ruler and color
If you have more than one set of data, show each set with a different color or symbol.
Include a legend if necessary

30. Remember - SULTAN Scale Units of measurement Labels – x & y axis Title
Accuracy
Neatness (ruler and color)

31. Circle 8 Lift up the RESULTS circle and underneath write: Graphs
Bar, line or circle
SULTAN 8.
RESULTS

32. Select the correct graph
VOTE A, B, C or D
With your hands

33. Which is the right graph?
1. A __________ shows changes over time.
a) circle graph b) line graph c) bar graph d) double bar graph

34. Which is the right graph?
1. A __________ shows changes over time.
b) line graph

35. Which is the right graph?
2. A ____________ is used to represent data as part of a whole.
a) circle graph b) pictograph c) line graph d) bar graph

36. Which is the right graph?
2. A ____________ is used to represent data as part of a whole.
a) circle graph

37. Which is the right graph?
3. Brittany wanted to keep track of how many pieces of gum she chewed in a week. On Monday, she chewed 4 pieces, Tuesday 3 pieces, Wednesday 6 pieces, Thursday 5 pieces, Friday 2 pieces, Saturday 8 pieces and Sunday 3 pieces. Which of the following graphs would be best for this data? a) circle graph b) double bar graph c) line graph d) pictograph

38. Which is the right graph?
3. Brittany wanted to keep track of how many pieces of gum she chewed in a week. On Monday, she chewed 4 pieces, Tuesday 3 pieces, Wednesday 6 pieces, Thursday 5 pieces, Friday 2 pieces, Saturday 8 pieces and Sunday 3 pieces. Which of the following graphs would be best for this data?
c) line graph

39. Which is the right graph?
4. Sandy made $100 for babysitting for 3 days. She went to the mall to spend her money. She spent $50 on clothing, $20 on jewelry, $15 on makeup, $10 on a CD, and $5 on food. What type of graph should Sandy use to show her mom how she spent the money? a) bar graph b) pictograph c) line graph d) circle graph

40. Which is the right graph?
4. Sandy made $100 for babysitting for 3 days. She went to the mall to spend her money. She spent $50 on clothing, $20 on jewelry, $15 on makeup, $10 on a CD, and $5 on food. What type of graph should Sandy use to show her mom how she spent the money?
d) circle graph

41. Which is the right graph?
5. Grandma Fryman decided to make some cookies for her grandchildren. She made 3 batches of chocolate chip cookies, 2 batches of sugar cookies, 4 batches of peanut butter cookies and 6 batches of oatmeal cookies. What type of graph would Grandma use to display this data? a) circle graph b) double bar graph c) line graph d) bar graph

42. Which is the right graph?
5. Grandma Fryman decided to make some cookies for her grandchildren. She made 3 batches of chocolate chip cookies, 2 batches of sugar cookies, 4 batches of peanut butter cookies and 6 batches of oatmeal cookies. What type of graph would Grandma use to display this data?
d) bar graph

43. Summarizing Your Data
You have collected, recorded, and graphed all your data.
Now it is time to decide if your hypothesis is correct or not.

44. Based on the data, was they hypothesis supported?
Hypothesis: Tomato plants will grow the tallest if they if they get 12 hours of light each day because research states they need plenty of light.
Amount of light per day:
Plant A: 12 hours Plant B: 9 hours Plant C: 6 hours
Based on the data, was they hypothesis supported?

45. Based on the data, was they hypothesis supported?
Hypothesis: Styrofoam will keep ice frozen the longest because they are made from polystyrene, a material which traps air, and Styrofoam coolers are very popular.
Based on the data, was they hypothesis supported?

46. Use your data/results to write your conclusion.
Explain how your hypothesis was supported/not supported by the data from your experiment.
Identify any possible errors or factors that could have affected your experiment.
Discuss what you might do differently next time and what other related experiments you would want to do.

47. Conclusion Lift up the CONCLUSION circle and underneath write:
Hypothesis supported?
Use DATA
Reflect – What did you learn?
9. CONCLUSION

48. Reflect – what did you learn?
CONCLUSION
Hypothesis supported?
Use data
Reflect – what did you learn?
HYPOTHESIS
Educated Guess
IF- THEN- BECAUSE
VARIABLES
Independent – change
Dependent – Measure
Control - Same
RESULTS
Graphs
Bar, line or circle
SULTAN
PROBLEM
Testable
Question
MATERIALS
Detailed List
DATA
Chart
PROCEDURE
Numbered
Step-by-Step

49. VARIABLES RESULTS PROBLEM MATERIALS DATA PROCEDURE
CONCLUSION
HYPOTHESIS
VARIABLES
RESULTS
PROBLEM
MATERIALS
DATA
PROCEDURE