Using a Scientific Approach Cornell Notes

Cornell Note Reminders Don’t forget, you are only using the RIGHT-SIDE of your notebook as you are taking your Cornell Notes Your first column is your CUE WORD Your second column is where you write all of your information If it is in italics in my PowerPoint, don’t write it Let’s get started…

The Scientific Method An organized plan for gathering, organizing, and communicating information to solve a problem or answer a question You use the scientific method all the time (and you don’t even know it!)

Making Observations The scientific method always starts with an observation Any information you obtain from your senses An observation can lead you to ask questions Let’s brainstorm a few observations…

Hypothesis A proposed answer the question or problem Like an educated guess Must ALWAYS be TESTABLE!!

Hypothesis Variable—anything that can change What is it? Independent The variable that causes change in another variable OR what you MANIPULATE Dependent The variable that changes in response to the independent variable OR what you MEASURE Controlled All the other variables that you keep the same

Hypothesis When you are designing an experiment, you might have multiple hypotheses, BUT You can only test ONE independent variable at a time! If you change more than one variable, you don’t know what your dependent variable is responding to This is called a controlled experiment

Drawing Conclusions As you test your hypothesis, you collect data Hypothesis is Hypothesis is not supported supported Test with further Revise your Experiments hypothesis

Communicating Data Graphs are a good way to visually display data In science, we usually line graphs to show change over time Independent variable on the X-axis Dependent variable on the Y-axis Time always goes on the X-axis

Theory vs. Law Well-tested explanation for an observation Scientific Theory Scientific Law Well-tested explanation for an observation Lots of support Can NEVER be proven, only disproven Describes an observed pattern in nature NOT an explanation Ex: Law of gravity Theory vs. Law

Scientific Method Concept Map -Analyze data and draw conclusions -Make an Observation -Ask a Question -Report findings -Develop a Hypothesis - Test hypothesis with an experiment