Think Like a Scientist The Scientific Method

1. OBSERVATION When you use one or more of your 5 senses to gather information When you use one or more of your 5 senses to gather information Observations are called DATA Observations are called DATA Collect Data in a DATA TABLE Collect Data in a DATA TABLE

What are some examples? Hearing a Cow Moo Hearing a Cow Moo Seeing a Dog bury a bone Seeing a Dog bury a bone Smelling Choc. Chip cookies Smelling Choc. Chip cookies

Quantitative vs. Qualitative Qualitative Observations: Qualitative Observations: Observations that use Descriptions Ex: How an animal reacts to an event Quantitative Observations: Quantitative Observations: Observations that use Numbers Ex: Measurements or counting

2. INFERENCE When you explain an observation When you explain an observation For example: For example: When you hear a dog barking…. you may infer that someone is at the door When you see a student yawn… you may infer that the student is tired

What is a possible Inference?

What do you OBSERVE? What can you INFER?

3. PREDICTION Making an inference about a future event based on past experience or evidence Making an inference about a future event based on past experience or evidence Ex: Ex: If Mrs. Boman eats 12 Chocolate Chip Cookies… I predict that she is going to feel sick

Who do you PREDICT will win? Why?

Now, Your Thinking like a Scientist! LETS SUMMARIZE! In pairs, person A tells person B what we just learned for 45 seconds…Next, person B fills in the gaps or repeats the main points!

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD The process scientists use to gather information and answer questions. The process scientists use to gather information and answer questions. Scientific inquiry = being curious and asking questions by observing the world around them. Scientific inquiry = being curious and asking questions by observing the world around them.

1. Posing a Question Asking WHAT? or HOW? to something you observed Can you think of an example?

2. Conduct Research Gather information that will help you answer your question. Library, Internet, Interviews, Experiments

3. State your HYPOTHESIS A prediction for a question that can be formally tested. Based on observations, prior knowledge, and research a.k.a: an educated guess If…then…because… For example?

4. Design an Experiment A step by step procedure designed to test your Hypothesis… Testing whether it is true or false. Testing whether it is true or false.

Independent Variable: Independent Variable: The factor that is intentionally changed in an experiment…it is what you are testing! Control: Control: All of the factors that remain the same! Controlled Experiment: Controlled Experiment: An experiment where all factors except independent variable are kept the same.

For example: Question: Which freezes faster…fresh water or salt water? Question: Which freezes faster…fresh water or salt water? Hypothesis: IF I add salt to fresh water, THEN the salt water will take longer to freeze Hypothesis: IF I add salt to fresh water, THEN the salt water will take longer to freeze Experiment: Experiment: Independent Variable: the salt that is added to the water Control: the amount of water, temperature of water Controlled Experiment: All factors, or potential variables are kept the same, such as temperature and amount of water

5. Collect Data The observations and measurements you make in an experiment are called Data. Organize data into data table. StudentHeight (cm)Armspan (cm) JOE15076 HENRY14881

6. Analyze Data Did your experiment support your hypothesis? Does additional research need to be conducted?

7. Conclusion State whether your data supports or reject your Hypothesis. A Summary of your Experiment