Comprehensive Science II Where Learning Comes First Scientific Method Comprehensive Science II Mrs. Quadri & Ms. Lynn Norland Middle School Where Learning Comes First “All In”

Bellringer Bellringer: Using your Interactive Notebooks respond to the following question on the left side – What is the Scientific Method?

Discuss Bellringer Sharing of Written Responses Student-Teacher Discussion

Lesson Objectives Evaluate a scientific investigation using evidence of scientific thinking and/or problem solving. Analyze an experimental procedure to identify a design flaw and propose a method for correcting it. Identify test (independent) and outcome (dependent) variables in an experiment. Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.

Lesson Objectives (Cont’d) Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, scientific procedures/experiments, or technical processes. Describe the common methods and models used in different fields of science and analyze the benefits and limitations of them. Differentiate between replication and repetition and evaluate the use and need for each in a scientific investigation. Interpret and analyze data to make predictions and defend conclusions. Explain the value of a hypothesis, even if they turn out not to be supported by the data.

Brain Pop Introduction to Scientific Method http://www.brainpop.com/educators/landing/loginDo.weml http://www.brainpop.com/science/scientificinquiry/scientificmethod/preview.weml

Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Hypothesis Experiment Data Collection Analyze Data Conclusion Retest

Observations Gathered through use of your 5 senses A scientist notices something in their natural world

Observations (Cont’d) An example of an observation might be noticing that many salamanders near a pond have curved, not straight, tails

Hypothesis A suggested solution to the problem. Must be testable. Sometimes written as If…Then… statements Predicts an outcome. Share some examples of If, Then statements with students and also have them come up with some examples on their own.

Hypothesis (Cont’d) An example of a hypothesis might be that the salamanders have curved tails due to a pollutant in the moist soil where they live.

A procedure to test the hypothesis. Experiment A procedure to test the hypothesis.

Variable – factor in the experiment that is being tested Experiment (Cont’d) Variable – factor in the experiment that is being tested

A good or “valid” experiment will only have ONE variable! Experiment (Cont’d) A good or “valid” experiment will only have ONE variable!

When Conducting Scientific Experiments An experimenter changes one variable at a time and observes or measures what happens.

The Control Variable The experimenter makes a special effort to keep other factors constant so that they will not affect the outcome. Those factors are called control variables.

What is the Purpose of a Control Variable? Control variables are NOT being tested. Control variables are only used for COMPARISON.

Other Variables The factor that is changed is known as the test (independent/manipulative) variable. The factor that is measured or observed is called the outcome (dependent/responding) variable.

Example of Variables For example, suppose you want to figure out the fastest route to walk home from school. You will try several different routes and time how long it takes you to get home by each one. The normal route you always take would be the control variable because that is not being changed. Every different route you take to walk home would be a test (independent/manipulative) variable. The time you took walking each different route would be the outcome (dependent/responding) variable.

What are the Variables in your Experiment? Varying the route is the test (independent/manipulative) variable. The time it takes is the outcome (dependent/responding) variable. The normal route you walk home and the time it generally takes every day would be the control variable because nothing is being changed.

Identifying Variables Worksheet We Do – Teacher will review with students and answer the first few questions together. You Do – Students will answer remaining questions on their own and complete for homework.

Study Jams Scientific Method Bellringer – Review concepts http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/scientific-inquiry/scientific-methods.htm

Why Repetition. Repetition is when we repeat something over and over Why Repetition? Repetition is when we repeat something over and over. To be more accurate, we engage in repetition because it is better to conduct several trials to make sure our conclusions are correct.

Data Results of the experiment May be quantitative (numbers) or qualitative (using 5 senses)

Data (Cont’d) Must be organized Can be organized into charts, tables, or graphs

Analyze the Data Make observations of the data collected. Does your observations support your hypothesis? Document your results.

Conclusion The answer to the hypothesis based on the data obtained from the experiment.

In order to verify the results, experiments must be retested.

The Scientific Method 1) Identify a Problem 2) State Observations about the problem 3) Form a Hypothesis about the problem (if…then…) 4) Design an Experiment to test the hypothesis 5) Collect Data 6) Analyze Data 7) Form a Conclusion 8) Retest

Scientific Theory & Evidence http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/scientific-inquiry/scientific-theory-and-evid.htm

Scientific Law Versus Theory Primary goal of science: not facts themselves, but new ideas, principles, or models that connect and explain facts and lead to new predictions. If many experiments by different scientists support a particular hypothesis, they become scientific theory – an idea, principle, or model that usually ties together and explains many facts that previously appeared to be unrelated and is supported by a great deal of evidence. Scientific law – a description of what we find happening in nature over and over in the same way, without known exception (Law of Gravitation).

So, What’s the Difference? Law - tells you WHAT is going to happen, because it has happened before. An example is the Law of Gravity Theory – explains WHY it is happening. An Example is the Theory of Continental Drift Consider this: Can a theory be factual? YES – lots of them are! Sometimes theories seem like laws.

Understanding Claim, Evidence, & Reasoning Claim-Evidence-Reasoning Rubric.doc