Scientific Method Drill: What are the steps of the Scientific Method?

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Objectives iWBAT List the steps of the scientific method. Perform a bubble activity to collect data. Graph data to determine a pattern.

Bubble Lab Today you will perform a Bubble Lab. In the lab you will blow bubbles and try to keep a constant bubble width. Think about what you might be able to do to blow bubbles that have a constant width.

How does a scientist design an experiment? Think about what a scientist needs to do to design and experiment. Write a brief description on your Bubble Lab worksheet that explains how a scientist would design an experiment.

Hypothesis Now write a hypothesis for today’s experiment. The hypothesis will describe a change that you could make and how it would affect bubble width. If (something is changed) then, the width of the bubble will __________.

Graphics There are different graphics that show the thinking process of the Scientific Method. I will show you several of the graphics. You may want to add one of these graphics to your notes.

Do You Remember the steps of the Scientific Method?

Bubble Activity You are going to perform the Bubble Lab. Our goal is to work through the steps of the Scientific Method during this activity.

Bubble Activity You will be working in groups of two The bubble solution will be in large petri dishes Choose one person to blow the bubbles Blow a bubble, as it begins to float away, catch the bubble on the bubble wand.

Bubble Activity A group member needs to measure the bubble width Record the bubble width on the chart The same person must blow 6 bubbles

Graph your data Create a graph of your trials versus bubble width Do you remember (from biology) how to determine what is plotted on the x and y axis? Do you remember the terms dependent and independent variables?

Try Again You will repeat the bubble activity again, but this time choose a different bubble wand size. Perform 6 trials.

Graph your data Create a graph of your trials versus bubble width

Errors Answer the following questions on your lab paper. What are some possible sources of error in this lab? How could we minimize some of the error?

Inconsistent Results Identify possible reasons for inconsistent results in this experiment.

Conclusion Write a conclusion for this activity. You should discuss whether the hypothesis was correct or incorrect. It’s ok if your hypothesis was incorrect. Just remember to explain why it was wrong. Use your data to support your conclusion.

Wrap Up How did we use the Scientific Method during the Bubble Lab?