1. Scientific Inquiry

2. Scientists are…
CURIOUS – they ask questions that make them want to investigate.
OBSERVANT – they look at the world around them
CREATIVE – they think about what they already know to explain their observations and come up with plans to test their ideas
SKEPTICAL – they question their own conclusions and except only explanations based on evidence

3. Science is the continuous process of asking questions and seeking answers!

4. Scientific Inquiry
The process that allows us to think about and design an experiment to help us find the answers to our questions!

5. Scientific Inquiry Problem Hypothesis Experiment Results Conclusion
Materials - Variables/Controls
Procedure - Observations
Results
Charts/Graphs
Conclusion
Limitations

6. Problem Identify by asking a question
Only part of the process that will end with a question mark.
As you do research/perform the experiment… you make ask more questions!

7. Which brand of paper towels is the most absorbent?
Our example…
Which brand of paper towels is the most absorbent?

8. Written in the form of an IF/THEN statement.
Hypothesis
Thinkers…
Tentative explanation
Educated guess/prediction
What do you think will happen
when you perform your experiment?
Written in the form of an IF/THEN statement.
IF three brands of paper towels are tested, THEN Bounty will be the most absorbent.

9. Experiment
An organized procedure used to study something under controlled conditions.
Consists of two parts:
Materials
Procedure

10. Materials – items needed to perform the experiment
Graduated cylinder, beaker, lab sheet, pencil, paper towels, triple beam balance, water
Procedure – sequence of actions or instructions to be followed
The STEPS of the experiment! 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

11. Variables Independent Variable (IV) – the factor being tested:
paper towels
Dependent Variable (DV) –
the factor being measured:
amount of water the paper towels absorb
y axis DV
x axis IV

12. Constants Factors that remain the same throughout the experiment
Examples:
The size of the paper towel
The type of liquid used
Using same balance to mass wet towels
OTHERS?

13. Control Serves as a basis for comparison
Ex: a paper towel that is not wet

14. Trials The number of time the IV’s are tested The more the better!
Not this kind!

15. Observations
Made during the course of an experiment using your senses or equipment
Often recorded in data tables
Examples:
Temperatures
Times
Color changes

16. Data One type of observation Evidence collected during a lab TRIAL 1 23 4
TEMP

17. Results We often use charts and graphs to show our results.
You may also write results statements that put your observations/data into paragraph form.

18. Conclusion
Statement indicating whether your hypothesis was correct or incorrect.
Use one of the following in your conclusion:
Supported
Rejected
Could neither support nor reject
Example:
The results of my experiment rejected my hypothesis… go on to tell why.

19. Limitations Unforeseen problems with an experiments design
What went wrong during the lab.
Examples:
Complete more trials
Test more paper towel brands
We spilt something beside water on the towels
Used the wrong mass
Forgot to test one brand