1. The Scientific Method
Scientists make careful observations of the world around them.
They ask questions & form hypotheses.
They test their hypotheses, collect, & analyze their data.

2. Making Observations & Collecting Data

3. Let’s test your observation skills. Take a good look at this picture:

5. Are there cars parked on the side of the road?
What color is the pickup truck driving in the road?
Are there any minivans around?
What does the blue sign say?
What’s the speed limit?
Are there pedestrians on the road?

6. How many did you get correct?
Yes
Blue
Yard Sale
35 mph No

8. Making Observations & Collecting Data
During labs, use your observations to collect data
Your observations can be qualitative or quantitative.
The petals are pink.
The flower has 5 petals.

9. Making Observations & Collecting Data
Scientists use the metric system to collect data.
The metric system is a universal measurement system based on the number 10:
The meter is the distance value.
The gram is the mass value.
The liter is the volume value.

10. A centimeter is 1/100 of a meter.
Kilo- K
1000x
Hecto- h
100x
Deka- da
10x
Unit (m, L, g) - 1
Deci- d
1/10
Centi- c
1/100
Milli- m
1/1000
A kilometer is 1000 meters.
A centimeter is 1/100 of a meter.

11. Larger Unit  Smaller Unit
Conversions
If you want to change a larger unit into a smaller unit, move the decimal place to the right.
Larger Unit  Smaller Unit
10 km = 10,000 m
2 m = 200 cm

12. Smaller Unit  Larger Unit
Conversions
If you want to change a smaller unit to a larger unit, move the decimal point to the left.
Smaller Unit  Larger Unit
100 m = .1 km
2,000 cm = 20 m

13. Graphing How a scientist shows patterns in data collected
There are several types of graphs; not all of them are useful for data communication.
Which type of graph is appropriate for which situations?

14. Line Graph
Compares 2 things in which items on 1 axis affect the items on the other axis
If you are comparing anything to time, it is usually a line graph.
Example: the temperature in NYC over several days

15. Bar Graph
Compares 2 or more values
Example: students’ favorite colors

16. Pie Chart Shows proportions or percentages of a whole thing
Example: comparing the percentages of crops sold in the US

17. Components of a Graph – LABEL!!
Title: give your graph an appropriate title
Horizontal Axis: label & give scale
Vertical Axis: label & give scale
Key: give meanings of symbols & colors used
Data Points: label all of them clearly

18. Conversions & Graphing Practice
Practice converting meters (unit of length).
Use the data given to create a graph.
Which type of graph would be most appropriate?