Scientific Process Jennifer Taylor EDC Science K-8

What is Science?  Science is a PROCESS.  Science is the process of: OBSERVING OBSERVING Asking Questions and Asking Questions and LEARNING about the world around you. LEARNING about the world around you.  This process is called: The Scientific Method.

Who is a Scientist?  A scientist is someone who: OBSERVES OBSERVES ASK QUESTIONS ASK QUESTIONS MAKES PREDICTIONS MAKES PREDICTIONS TESTS their PREDICTIONS TESTS their PREDICTIONS DRAWS CONCLUSIONS based on their RESULTS DRAWS CONCLUSIONS based on their RESULTS

Scientist or Not?  Plumber  Electrician  Doctor  Cook  Toddler learning to Walk  Winnie the Pooh

When are we ever going to use Science? EVERY MINUTE OF EVERYDAY!!! !!!!

Scientific Method 1. Problem 2. Hypothesis 3. Experiment 4. Results 5. Conclusion

Problem  Ask a question you can answer by performing an experiment. Example: Which snack will not melt in my backpack by lunch time? Example: Which snack will not melt in my backpack by lunch time? Example: Which soap will kill the most bacteria? Example: Which soap will kill the most bacteria?  The problem has to be testable it can not be an opinion question. Non-Example: Which birds are pretty? Non-Example: Which birds are pretty?

Hypothesis  “Educated Guess”  This needs to be statement that is your prediction of what will happen.  Remember it is an educated guess, so give a reason why you feel that your hypothesis is true.  For Example: I predict that the chocolate snack will melt in my backpack before the lollipop. I have found from my past experiences that …..Therefore,….

Experiment  Materials: What you use. Include metric units.  Procedure: Tests the hypothesis.  Should be written in steps not paragraph form  Make sure it is accurate by repeating or using large experimental groups.  Needs to have a control, independent variable and a dependent variable.

What is a Control Group? 1. Control group- group that is the “normal condition”. Used to compare to the experimental group. ** You do not do anything to the control group but observe and compare it to the test group. Ex: What battery will keep a flashlight shining the longest? Control Group: no batteries

Variables  Variable – part of the experiment that changes. Two Kinds: 1. Independent Variable – the group “I” change or “I” control. Your test group. 2. Dependent Variable – this group’s change depends on what “I changed.

Independent VS. Dependent Variables Problem#1: Which type of fertilizer will grow grass taller? Independent Variable: type of fertilizers Dependent Variable: how tall it grows Problem#2: Does the size of a meteor determine the size of a crater? Independent Variable: size of the meteor Dependent Variable: size of the crater

You Try! Problem#1: Which hair gel will hold up my spiked hair the longest? Problem # 2: Which brand of popcorn will pop the most kernels? Problem #3: Which brand of diapers will hold the most water?

Results  This can be data, graphs, tables, pictures, etc..  There should not be a conclusion drawn here!  Remember to label all forms of data.

Conclusion  Analyze your results here! Explain what it all means. Answer whether or not your hypothesis was supported.  Your conclusion should never be a yes or no answer. Your conclusion should be a few sentences.

Application  Although you may not leave a space for Application on your school labs it is still very important.  This is where you explain how your lab relates to the real world.  Give examples of how you would further this investigation.