What is Science?

What is Science? Science is a process that uses observations and investigations to gain knowledge about events in nature.

Scientists learn new information by performing investigations. Example: How do you know if you have allergies? Observations Experiments Modeling

What is the Scientific Method? The Scientific Method is an organized set of investigational procedures

1. Observation Ask a Question Why? How? Should be stated in a clear and concise manner Inference/Identify a Problem

2.Research Background Research- You must learn as much as possible about background of the problem before you can begin Your own research Research from other scientists

3.Form a Hypothesis Educated guess A possible explanations for the problem Educated guess It is based on knowledge and observation It provides a direction to the experimental process It can be proved or disproved a proposition made as a basis for reasoning, without any assumption of its truth

4. Conduct Experiment Include all items that are needed for the experiment Test your hypothesis (theory) There are three important variables you have to remember when you are designing your experiment. Independent variable - this is what you change in order to provide a result Controlled variables - these are the things that never change. Dependent variable - this is what you are measuring It is important to make sure that you perform experiments in batches. One result can always be an accident but if you have 3 or more samples for each test under the same conditions then you can take a mean or average for your results.

5. Analyze Your Data Now it is time for you to analyze your recorded data. Was your hypothesis correct? Incorrect? Collected data should be organized for fellow scientist to review. Often tables or graphs will be used to demonstrate data collected during the experiment. It can also be organized in form of graphic organizers, and even pictures.

6. Conclusion Organize the data The results should be written in the form of observations Analyze the data from the experiment Organize the data Paragraph from Tables Graphs

Review: The Scientific Method Observation Gather Information (research) Form a Hypothesis Conduct Experiment Analyze your data Conclusion