SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY Learning to THINK like a SCIENTIST!!!

Scientific Method

Designing an Experiment Starts with an observation. Then a question regarding that observation is asked. The PROBLEM QUESTION From there you must figure out a way to collect data that will help answer your question.

The PROBLEM QUESTION… Before you ask this question you must know what VARIABLES you are working with. Every experiment has two variables: INDEPENDENT and DEPENDENT

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE This is the ONE variable that you will be changing in the experiment. This is the variable that might affect the results of the experiment.

DEPENDENT VARIABLE This is what you will be measuring in the experiment. This is the variable that gives you the data you will be collecting.

DEFINING VARIABLES When identifying a variable of an experiment, it will NEVER be a one-word answer. Your answer needs to be specific and detailed.

Let ’ s Practice… You want to grow some big peppers this summer, but you do not know which fertilizer will make them grow biggest. So, you set up five pots of peppers. Here is what you put on each pot: 1. Cow poop 2. Miracle Grow 3. Nitrogen 4. Nothing (plain soil) 5. Compost

Let ’ s Practice… You want to grow some big peppers this summer, but you do not know which fertilizer will make them grow biggest. So, you set up five pots of peppers. QUESTION: What is the I.V. ? What is the D.V.?

ANSWER… I.V. = type of fertilizer Because it is what we are changing. D.V. = size of the peppers Because this is what we are measuring.

Let ’ s Practice Some More… You want to know if sugar will dissolve faster in cold or hot tea. QUESTION: What is the I.V. ? What is the D.V.?

ANSWER… I.V. = temperature of the tea Because it is what we are changing. D.V. = time it takes the sugar to dissolve. Because this is what we are measuring.

The PROBLEM QUESTION… Now that you know what variables are, you can write the problem question for the experiment or pull the variables out of the problem question!!! Follow this formula: What is the effect of the _________ on the ________?

Let ’ s Practice… Write the problem question for the pepper experiment. ANSWER: What is the effect of the type of fertilizer on the size of the peppers?

Let ’ s Practice Some More… Write the problem question for the hot and cold tea experiment. ANSWER: What is the effect of the temperature of the tea on the time it takes the sugar to dissolve?

Designing an Experiment Starts with an observation. Then a question regarding that observation is asked. The PROBLEM QUESTION From there you must figure out a way to collect data that will help answer your question. The PROCEDURE

Designing an Experiment Next, you think about what you expect the outcome to be. This is done BEFORE the experiment and is based on your prior knowledge of the situation. (NOT a guess!!!) The HYPOTHESIS

The HYPOTHESIS… Follow this formula: If _________________________ then the ___________ will _________________________.

Let ’ s Practice… Write a hypothesis for the pepper experiment. ANSWER: If the type of fertilizer is cow poop then the size of the peppers will increase.

Let ’ s Practice Some More… Write a hypothesis for the hot and cold tea experiment. ANSWER: If the temperature of the tea increases then the time it takes the sugar to dissolve will stay the same.