Agenda for Wednesday Dec 3 rd Notebook set-up Pre-test Learning Targets Scientific Method

Bio Resources Access Code: CCF Novak’s teacher website

Questions What is science? Why do we do science? How do we do science?

The Scientific Method involves a series of steps that are used to investigate a natural occurrence.

Problem/Question Observation/Research Formulate a Hypothesis Experiment Collect and Analyze Results Conclusion Communicate the Results

Steps of the Scientific Method 1.Problem/Question 1.Problem/Question: Develop a question or problem that can be solved through experimentation.

Steps of the Scientific Method Observation/Research 2. Observation/Research: Make observations and research your topic of interest.

Steps of the Scientific Method Formulate a Hypothesis 3. Formulate a Hypothesis: Predict a possible answer to the problem or question. Example: If soil temperatures rise, then plant growth will increase.

Steps of the Scientific Method Experiment 4. Experiment: Develop and follow a procedure. Include a detailed materials list.

Experimental Design Control group – used for comparison, baseline – may be a “no treatment” group – exposed to the same conditions as the experimental group, except for the variable being tested – All experiments should have a control group. Experimental Group – group that gets tested 1 factor changes at a time Many trials

Experimental Design Independent (manipulated) variable – a factor that’s intentionally varied by the experimenter – tested factor Dependent (responding) variable – the factor that may change as a result of independent variable depends on the outcome of the independent variable What you want to measure Constant – remains same in every test experiment

Data Information gathered during an experiment – Qualitative – observations – Quantitative – numbers

Steps of the Scientific Method Collect and Analyze Results 5. Collect and Analyze Results: Modify the procedure if needed. Confirm the results by retesting. Include tables, graphs, and photographs.

Steps of the Scientific Method Conclusion 6. Conclusion: Include a statement that accepts or rejects the hypothesis. Make recommendations for further study and possible improvements to the procedure.

Steps of the Scientific Method Communicate the Results 7. Communicate the Results: Be prepared to present the project. Paper, presentations

Think you can name all seven steps? Problem/QuestionObservation/Research Formulate a Hypothesis Experiment Collect and Analyze Results Conclusion Communicate the Results

What is difference between hypothesis, theory & law? Hypothesis - “an educated guess”; a tentative explanation of phenomena. Theory - a widely accepted explanation of natural phenomena; has stood up to thorough & continual testing. Law - a statement of what always occurs under certain conditions.

Hypotheses, Theories, Laws hypothesis – a suggested explanation a proposal based on reason that predicts a possible correlation between multiple phenomena (incidents, events, observations, etc.)

Laws law – notes only that something happens happens consistently and across the universe frequently can be stated mathematically Example: Newton’s 2nd Law: f=ma

Theories theory – notes why something happens; explains why laws and facts are true A framework about a class or group of phenomena Theories are never “proven” – confirmed by overwhelming data; all theories, like all ideas in science, are subject to correction

Inferences and deduction Inference - using observations, prior knowledge/experiences, and details from context to make connections and come up with idea Deduction – make a conclusion from something known or assumed

Mr. Novak is working on a science project. His task is to answer the question: "Does Plantgro (a commercial plant product) affect the speed of plant growth". Q: Describe how Mr. Novak would perform this experiment. Identify the control group, and the independent and dependent variables in your description. Agenda for Tuesday Dec 10 th 1.Finish notes 2.Start pendulum lab Quiz Friday

Define qualitative, quantitative, independent variable, and dependent variable. Agenda for Thursday Dec 12 th 1.Go over worksheets 2.Finish pendulum lab

Pendulum lab Problem: How can you get the most swings in a minute? Materials: string and 10 washers (weight) Even lab groups = how does weight affect number of swings? Odd lab groups = how does string length affect number of swings?