1. Scientific Method Problem/Purpose Hypothesis Experiment Controls
Variables
Constants
Materials
Procedure
Data and Observations
Analysis
Conclusion
Theory

2. Do plants need food to grow?
Problem/Purpose
Do plants need food to grow?
Identify what it is you want to investigate, usually based on something you’ve observed

3. Hypothesis What you think will happen
If a plant is given more food, then it will grow taller than if it is given no food at all.
What you think will happen
It is a testable explanation for an observation
Sometimes given in the
“If…… then…..” format

4. Experiment The controlled test of a hypothesis Contains: Constants
Control group
Variables

5. Experiment
You want to test the effects of different kinds of fertilizer (food supplement) on plant growth. You create an experiment using 4 plant setups. All plants are the same and are planted in 3 cups of the same potting soil. They are given 1 cup of water daily and are given 8 hours of sun every day.
Group 1 is given 1 cup of plant fertilizer
Group 2 is given ½ cup of plant fertilizer
Group 3 is given 2 cups of plant fertilizer
Group 4 is given no fertilizer at all.
Their length is measured every 5 days.

6. Experiment Set-up of controlled experiment: Group 1 Group 2 Group 3

7. Experiment
Your results after 15 days:
Group 1
Group 4
Group 2
Group 3

8. Experiment Constants- things that are the same for all groups
What were your constants in the experiment?

9. Experiment Control group serves as a standard of comparison
Contains all constants but not the variable
What was the control group in our experiment?

10. Experiment
Variables
Dependent variable- what you are testing for/measuring (goes on y axis)
Independent variable- what the dependent is dependent upon OR what you are changing in the experiment (goes on x axis)
What were you measuring/testing for in your experiment?
That is your dependent variable
What were you manipulating?
That is your independent variable

11. Materials and Procedure
Materials- what you use to conduct the experiment
What were the materials used in your plant experiment?
Procedure- a logical procedure in solving the problem that is listed in numerical step format.

12. Data and Observation What happened during the experiment
Includes the results in the form of data
Data should be included as charts, tables and graphs
Make sure all data tables have a title and are labeled

13. Analysis Graphing guidelines
Include a title indicating variables (what exactly does this chart show the reader)
Label the X and Y axis including units
MIX- Manipulated/Independent variable X-axis
DRY- Dependent/Responding variable on Y-axis

14. The amount of plant fertilizer given
Plant growth based on the amount of fertilizer given over a 15 day time period
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
O in.
2 in.
4 in.
6 in.
8 in.
10 in.
12 in.
14 in.
Plant growth in inches
The amount of plant fertilizer given

15. Conclusion Addresses the hypothesis
Shows that the data supported or disproved your hypothesis
Make a clear relationship between the problem and results
Demonstrate a connection between the experiment and the larger context of form as it relates to function
Make predictions on other tests that may also be effective

16. Theory
Theory-
Explanation for observations proven through experimentation
Unifying explanation for a broad range of observations

17.                      
Smithers thinks that a special juice will increase the productivity of workers. He creates two groups of 50 workers each and assigns each group the same task (in this case, they're supposed to staple a set of papers). Group A is given the special juice to drink while they work. Group B is not given the special juice. After an hour, Smithers counts how many stacks of papers each group has made. Group A made 1,587 stacks, Group B made 2,113 stacks.
Identify the:
Control Group
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
What should Smithers' conclusion be?
How could this experiment be improved?

18.                      
Homer notices that his shower is covered in a strange green slime. His friend Barney tells him that coconut juice will get rid of the green slime. Homer decides to check this this out by spraying half of the shower with coconut juice. He sprays the other half of the shower with water. After 3 days of "treatment" there is no change in the appearance of the green slime on either side of the shower.
What was the initial observation?
Identify the- Control Group
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
What should Homer's conclusion be?

19. Bart believes that mice exposed to microwaves will become extra strong (maybe he's been reading too much Radioactive Man). He decides to perform this experiment by placing 10 mice in a microwave for 10 seconds. He compared these 10 mice to another 10 mice that had not been exposed. His test consisted of a heavy block of wood that blocked the mouse food. he found that 8 out of 10 of the microwaved mice were able to push the block away. 7 out of 10 of the non-microwaved mice were able to do the same.
Identify the- Control Group
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
What should Bart's conclusion be?
How could Bart's experiment be improved?

20.                Krusty was told that a certain itching powder was the newest best thing on the market, it even claims to cause 50% longer lasting itches. Interested in this product, he buys the itching powder and compares it to his usual product. One test subject (A) is sprinkled with the original itching powder, and another test subject (B) was sprinkled with the Experimental itching powder. Subject A reported having itches for 30 minutes. Subject B reported to have itches for 45 minutes.
Identify the- Control Group
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
Explain whether the data supports the advertisements claims about its product.

21. Lisa is working on a science project
Lisa is working on a science project. Her task is to answer the question: "Does Rogooti (which is a commercial hair product) affect the speed of hair growth". Her family is willing to volunteer for the experiment.
Describe how Lisa would perform this experiment. Identify the control group, and the independent and dependent variables in your description.