UNIT 1: BIOLOGY & LIVING THINGS Lesson 1: Scientific Method Do Now: What is the first step in every scientific experiment?

1. Ask a Question! (state a problem) Do Now: What is the first step in every scientific experiment?

The Scientific Method  6 Steps:  Ask a question  Form a hypothesis  Conduct experiment  Collect data  Analyze experimental results  Draw a conclusion

Hypothesis: an educated guess (uses prior knowledge and background research) What is a hypothesis?

The Scientific Method  6 Steps:  Ask a question  Form a hypothesis  Conduct experiment  Collect data  Analyze experimental results  Draw a conclusion

Experimental Variables  Controlled variable = The one variable in the experiment that is not changed  Independent Variable = The variable that the experimenter has the power to change themselves  Dependent Variable = The variable that changes due to changes in the independent variable

Observation  All observations require the use of our senses in order to gather information  Data = Recorded observations  Quantitative Data = Measurements (#’s)  Qualitative Data = Descriptions of what you’re observing

Observation vs. Inference  Observation = The simple act of observing and recording facts  Ex. The fire alarm is going off  Inference = A logical conclusion based on an observation  The fire alarm went off because someone must have started a fire

1. There is a representation of a face on one side of the coin. 2. The Latin word "Dei" means "God." 3. The coin was made by deeply religious people. 4. The date 1722 is printed on one side of the coin. 5. The coin was made in The face on the coin is a man.

The Scientific Method  6 Steps:  Ask a question  Form a hypothesis  Conduct experiment  Collect data  Analyze experimental results  Draw a conclusion Only record observations, do not make any inferences

Let’s practice!  You want to see if playing music makes plants grow taller. What is the dependent variable in this experiment?  Dependent variable = The height of the plant  Name 3 controlled variables that would need to be kept constant while running this experiment:  Amount of water given to plant  Amount of sunlight  The type of music that is played

Let’s practice!  You want to measure the effect of different amounts of oxygen on the rate of yeast growth. What is the independent variable?  Independent variable = Amount of oxygen  Name 3 controlled variables that would need to be kept constant while running this experiment:  Type of oxygen given to yeast  Type of yeast used  The amount of yeast used

The Scientific Method  6 Steps:  Ask a question  Form a hypothesis  Conduct experiment  Collect data  Analyze experimental results  Draw a conclusion (Restart…?)