1. Scientific Method A process to gather information

3. Observation Observe an unexplained natural phenomenon
Collect information and ask questions
Alexander Fleming observed a bacteria free area around mold…..hmmm could this be useful?

4. Hypothesis
A statement about an idea that you can test, based on your observations
Example: If penicillin inhibits bacterial growth then those plates treated with penicillin should have little to no bacterial growth.

5. Experimentation Variables
Are factors that will affect the results of your experiment
Example – what factors might affect the rate of bacterial growth? How many variations of theses factors can you come up with?
For your experiment to be valid all variables must be kept constant

6. Experimentation Independent variable (experimental variable)
Scientific experiments are designed to investigate only one variable at a time.
What would be the experimental variable in Flemings experiment?

7. Experimentation Control group
A group that will not be exposed to the independent variable
It is used as a comparison
What would the control group “look like” for Fleming's experiment?

8. Experimentation Experimental Group
The group that would be exposed to the independent variable

9. Data
The results from the experiment are usually mathematical since it is highly objective
Usually presented in a data table and or graph
These results are called the dependent variable
What might be the dependent variable in Fleming’s experiment

10. Conclusion Will support or fail to support the hypothesis
Represents the truest available information at that time

11. Theory
Is a testable explanation for a natural occurring phenomenon and is capable of predicting future occurrences
Has been supported by many experiments, all pointing to the same results