The Scientific Method Give one get one – students move around the room to fill in scientific method sheet from last night In their groups of four, the group decides the correct order of the steps of the scientific method

What is the scientific method? The 'tool' that scientists use to find the answers to questions It allows scientists to solve complicated problems by taking a series of smaller steps

The Steps to the Scientific Method: Identify a Problem Do Background Research Construct an Hypothesis Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment Analyze Your Data Draw a Conclusion Hypothesis – an educated guess, based on the question you asked and the background research (studying) you did. Experiment – test to see if your hypothesis is correct, or to find out what happens based on your hypothesis Analyze – to examine or explore your data (numbers and observations collected from your experiment) and come up with a conclusion (end – an explanation of what happened, if your hypothesis is correct and if any further experimentation is necessary – any questions that may have come up during the experiment) Communicate results – TELL PEOPLE in an organized, easy to understand way.

A. Problem 1. Should be in question form

B. Research 1. Use only trusted websites

C. Hypothesis 2. Should be in statement form (use “if…then”) 1. Definition = educated guess 2. Should be in statement form (use “if…then”)

D. Investigate / Experiment 1. Perform the experiment, gather the data, and make observations

1. Perform the experiment, gather the data, and make observations Variable – Any factor/condition that can affect the outcome of an experiment Experimental Group – the group that you experiment with Control Group/Variable – the group/variable that stays the same

1. Perform the experiment, gather the data, and make observations Independent (Manipulated) Variable – The condition that is manipulated, or changed, by the scientist Dependent (Responding) Variable – The condition that responds to the change (it’s what you measure or data you collect!)

E. Interpret / Analyze the Data 1. Definition = explain the data and observations (might use graphs & tables)

F. Conclusion 1. Should answer the problem

But Where does a scientist begin? What do scientists (and everyday people) do in the world around them? (Observations)

Mapping the Scientific Method

Designing an Effective Experiment Reduce the number of variables 1 is ideal, but a small number is necessary Create a control group Include a large number of test subjects (sample size) Results must be reproducible Hypothesis – an educated guess, based on the question you asked and the background research (studying) you did. Experiment – test to see if your hypothesis is correct, or to find out what happens based on your hypothesis Analyze – to examine or explore your data (numbers and observations collected from your experiment) and come up with a conclusion (end – an explanation of what happened, if your hypothesis is correct and if any further experimentation is necessary – any questions that may have come up during the experiment) Communicate results – TELL PEOPLE in an organized, easy to understand way.