The Scientific Method - “Organized common sense approach to asking and answering questions.” -A way to address a problem and reach a solution to the problem.

Step 1: Observe and state a problem or question Will my BioBird twirl more times if it … Will my BioBird twirl fewer times if it…

Step 1.5: Research Learn something about your topic so that you can make predictions about the outcomes of experiments based in facts, not guesses!

Step 2: Form a hypothesis Hypothesis=possible explanation about an event. Can be dis-proven (rejected) but never proven (only can be supported). Is an “If… Then…” statement!

Hypotheses must be measurable and compared to a control Bad: If a small biobird is dropped, then it will twirl differently. Good: If a small biobird is dropped, then it will twirl 3x as many times as a control bird. If a large biobird is dropped, then it will twirl half as many times as a control bird.

Step 3: Test the hypothesis Must use a controlled experiment. Allows researcher to test the effects of a single factor, or experimental variable.

A controlled experiment uses two set-ups to ensure any differences are due to the experimental variable: Control setup – kept constant Experimental setup --contains the variable Independent variable - “I control” - plot on X axis Dependent variable - “Data collected” - plot on Y axis

Identify: Problem Control group or set-up Experimental group or set-up Mr. Krabbs wants to make Bikini Bottoms a nicer place to live. He has created a new sauce that he thinks will reduce the production of body gas associated with eating crabby patties from the Krusty Krab. He recruits 100 customers with a history of gas problems. He has 50 of them (Group A) eat crabby patties with the new sauce. The other 50 (Group B) eat patties with a sauce that looks like the new sauce but is really just a mixture of mayonnaise and food coloring. Both groups were told they were eating the new sauce that would reduce gas production. Two hours after eating the crabby patties, 30 customers in Group A reported having fewer gas problems and 8 customers in group B reported having fewer gas problems. Identify: Problem Control group or set-up Experimental group or set-up Hypothesis Independent variable Dependent variable

Mr. Krabbs wants to make Bikini Bottom a nicer place to live Mr. Krabbs wants to make Bikini Bottom a nicer place to live. He has created a new sauce that he thinks will reduce the production of body gas associated with eating crabby patties from the Krusty Krab. He recruits 100 customers with a history of gas problems. He has 50 of them (Group A) eat crabby patties with the new sauce. The other 50 (Group B) eat patties with a sauce that looks like the new sauce but is really just a mixture of mayonnaise and food coloring. Both groups were told they were eating the new sauce that would reduce gas production. Two hours after eating the crabby patties, 30 customers in Group A reported having fewer gas problems and 8 customers in group B reported having fewer gas problems.

Step 4: Record and analyze data Data - observations and information collected during an experiment. Data Tables - where the numerical data you collect is placed. Graphs- easy to interpret, visual representation of data in tables.

Step 5: Form a conclusion Support or reject your hypothesis. Cannot be proven! **Not all hypotheses are correct!**

Step 6: Replicate or reproduce the work Several forms: 1. Repeat several times yourself 2. Repeated by others 3. Using more samples A hypothesis becomes a theory when it is tested and confirmed often enough that it is unlikely to be disproved in future tests. A theory becomes a law when it can’t be disproved. Remember, there is no “absolute truth” or proof in science!

Does this experiment follow the scientific method? SpongeBob loves to garden and wants to grow lots of pink flowers for his pal Sandy. He bought a special Flower Power fertilizer to see if it will help plants produce more flowers. He plants two plants of the same size in separate containers with the same amount of potting soil. He places one plant in a sunny window and waters it everyday with fertilized water. He places the other plant on a shelf in a closet and waters it with plain water every other day.