What Is Science? Think Like a Scientist Scientists use many different skills to learn more about the world. Observing Inferring PredictingClassifying Making models Using your senses. Qualitative (describe) Quantitative (numbers) Based on reasoning. NOT GUESSING Forecasts Grouping together Represen- tation

What Is Science? Process Skills

What Is Science? Process Skills

What Is Science? Scientific Inquiry

What Is Science? Designing, Conducting, and Reporting an Experiment Identify a Problem / Pose a Question Research Develop a Hypothesis/Prediction Identify Variables to test hypothesis Write a Procedure Experiment to Collect Data Analyze Data Make Conclusion Put it to the test Scientific Inquiry

What Is Science? Scientific Inquiry Questions: Must be answered by making observations and gathering evidence. “Which freezes faster – freshwater or salt water?” Make a Prediction: Decide in a general way what you will do. (If, Then statements) “If I add salt to fresh water, then the water will take longer to freeze.” Hypothesis: Explanation for a set of results. “The addition of the salt to the water will affect the temperature at which water freezes.”

What Is Science? Scientific Inquiry Identify Variables: Experimental group Control group Variables – Any factor that can change (independent and dependent Constants – all variables that that are kept the same in both groups Designing an Experiment Start each step with a verb, or action word Controlled Experiment – Only 1 Variable is Manipulated Controlling Variables (Responding & manipulated variables, Control group) Experiment and Collect Data (data tables/graphs) Forming Operational Definitions – Define a specific word or measurement

What Is Science? Scientific Inquiry 1-2 Control Group? Independent (manipulated) Variable? Responding (Dependant) Variable? Constants? Experimental Group?

What Is Science? Collecting Data Create a data table Collect and record your data Qualitative – measurements Quantitative - observations Analyze Data / Interpret Data Graph data Explain patterns or trends Drawing Conclusions Write your results Compare results with your hypothesis Decide whether the data you collected support your hypothesis or not. Describe what you learned. Scientific Inquiry