2. Scientific Method Procedures

3. OBJECTIVES I can… Demonstrate the process of scientific inquiry. and Write a procedure for a Science Fair project.

4. What is the Scientific Method? The Scientific Method is: One way scientists find out about the world around us. A way that a scientist answers a specific question.

5. Let’s look at the steps in the Scientific Method.

6. There are six steps in the Scientific Method 1.Problem/Purpose 2.Research 3.Hypothesis 4.Procedure/Experiment 5.Analyze data 6.Conclusion

7. The experimenter always starts with a that they want to answer. This question can be answered by changing a variable and observing the results. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? question ?

8. A variable is: anything in experiment that can change. There are three types of variables. Can you name them?

9. … an independent variable? …a dependent variable? …a control ?

10. … an independent variable? Let’s start with:

11. Independent variable—the thing the experimenter changes on purpose.

12. …a dependent variable? Then comes:

13. Dependent variable-- what the experimenter observes or measures to see if the independent variable is making a difference.

14. …a control ? And finally:

15. The control(s): any other things that could cause the dependent variable to change Controls must be kept the same throughout the experiment.

16. The first step in any experiment is coming up with a Problem Let’s look at an example of how to use the Scientific Method

17. 1. Problem Is a question Is made up of the dependent and independent variable

18. Jane knows that plants need light to grow. But she wonders—what about seeds. Do seeds need light to sprout? She decides to design an experiment to answer her question.

19. In Jane’s experiment with the seeds what will her independent variable be? It will be whether or not the seeds receive light. What could her dependent variable be?—what could she observe or measure to see whether or not seeds need light to sprout or grow?

20. She plans to put 3 seeds in light and 3 seeds in the dark and then count the number of seeds that sprout when light is present and the number when light is not present.

21. Once we have the independent variable (light and dark) and the dependent variable (the number of seeds that sprout) we can write the problem—the question using the dependent and independent variables.

22. Will more seeds sprout in the light than in the dark? or Does light affect the number of seeds that sprout?

23. After you come up with a Problem, the next step in the Scientific Method is coming up with: The Hypothesis.

24. 2. Hypothesis What you think the answer to the question will be. Predicts what will happen

25. What do you think? Will more seeds sprout in the light or in the dark? What will the hypothesis be for Jane’s experiment with light and sprouting seeds? Because plants need light to grow, Jane thinks seeds will also need light to sprout. So her hypothesis will be: More seeds will sprout in the light than in the dark.

26. This plan is called The Procedure After coming up with an Hypothesis, the experimenter writes out a plan for an experiment to test the Hypothesis.

27. Procedure - a series of steps taken to accomplish something What are some procedures that you know?

28. Bake a birthday cake 1.Mix the cake according to the package directions. 2. Pour the batter into two round cake pans. 3.Bake as directed, until done. 4.Cool completely 5.Spread icing on the bottom layer. 6.Put the second layer on top and spread icing on top and sides. 7.Decorate as desired. 8.Add candles.

29. Scientific Method Procedures How are procedures in the Scientific Method different than every day procedures?

30. 3. Procedure Steps to be taken to test the hypothesis Includes the control

31. What would be some of the control variables in Jane’s experiment. What besides light might affect how many seeds sprout? Jane thinks seeds need light to sprout. Jane wrote a plan for an experiment to test her hypothesis Circle the dependent variable in red, the independent variable in green and underline the control(s) in purple.

32. Procedure 1.Find 10 identical potting containers and fill them with the same type of soil. 2.Place 3 bean seeds from the same package in each container on top of the soil. 3.Leave 5 of the pots uncovered. Cover the other 5 pots all the time with a paper bag. 4.Place all the pots in a sunny spot all day every day for two weeks. 5.Pour 15 ml of tap water in each pot every day. 6.After two weeks, count the number of seeds that have sprouted in each pot.

33. Procedure 1.Find 10 identical potting containers and fill them with the same type of soil. 2.Place 3 bean seeds from the same package in each container on top of the soil. 3.Leave 5 of the pots uncovered. Cover the other 5 pots all the time with a paper bag. 4.Place all the pots in a sunny spot all day every day for two weeks. 5.Pour 15 ml of tap water in each pot every day. 6.After two weeks, count the number of seeds that have sprouted in each pot.

34. Does the size of a piece of ice affect how fast it will melt? Put two identical bowls on the counter. Take two ice cubes out of the freezer and place one in each bowl. Break one of the ice cubes into smaller pieces that are no larger than 1/4 the size of the whole ice cube. Time how long it takes for all the ice to melt.

35. Once the experimenter has come up with a step-by-step procedure, he or she gathers the materials and conducts the experiment.

36. As an experimenter conducts the experiment, he or she records the observations or measurements (data) in a data chart.

38. To make sure that the results did not occur due to chance, an experimenter repeats the experiment several times collecting data each time.

39. Trial 1Trial 2Trial 3Average Light 3 seeds No Light 3 seeds Here are the results of Jane’s experiment as shown in a data chart. The number of seeds that sprouted Sometimes the results are also shown in a graph.

40. After conducting the experiment and gathering the data using the steps in the Procedure, the experimenter 4. analyzes the data

42. Trial 1Trial 2Trial 3Average Light 3 seeds No Light 3 seeds The number of seeds that sprouted Let us analyze Jane’s data. We see that all seeds sprouted in both the light and in the dark.

43. 5. Conclusion After analyzing the data, the experimenter comes up with a answers the question allowing the experimenter to decide if the hypothesis is right or wrong.

44. answers the question. The conclusion experimenter decides if the hypothesis is right or wrong.

45. So what can Jane conclude? From her data, Jane can conclude that seeds DO NOT need light to sprout.

46. and ask a question Scientific Method in review

47. Make an observation and ask a question Is this good to eat? Problem

48. Make an hypothesis. This will be good to eat and will be tasty.

49. Conduct the experiment and collect the data. Procedure

50. Analyze the data Does it taste good?

51. Draw a conclusion. It tastes awful! It is not good to eat.

52. Share your results and ask someone else to duplicate your experiment. Try this and see if you think it tastes good.

53. Steps in the Scientific Method Problem Hypothesis Procedure Analyze data Conclusion