1. Exploring the Scientific Method

2. What does a scientist do?
Scientists need to
Explore
Observe
Question
Classify
Make models
Predicts consequences
Make inferences
Analyze information

3. Science The goal of science is to understand the world around us.
A fact is a truth about nature that has been determined by observations or experimentation.
No such thing as alternative facts – there is individual perception however.
Scientists gather facts and then try to explain a phenomenon using a theory.

4. Theories in Science
A theory is the most logical explanation for events that occur in nature.
A scientific theory is a time-tested concept that makes useful and dependable predictions about the natural world.
Theories must be tested many times and are often proven wrong, or added to when more information becomes available.

5. Laws in Science
A law is a scientific theory that has survived many tests and never been proven wrong.
A law summarizes observed experimental facts.
Laws can changed or be proven wrong when new facts are uncovered.

6. The Scientific Method
The scientific method is a systematic approach to problem solving.
The steps of the scientific method are (although not always in this order):
Stating the Problem
Gathering Information on the Problem
Forming a Hypothesis
Performing Experiments to Test the Hypothesis
Recording and Analyzing Data
Stating a Conclusion
Communicating the results
Repeating the Work, if necessary

7. Stating a Problem
You need to state a problem so that you can decide what topic to study. It is important to chose a problem that is specific. Ex. Do cars with more mass move faster down a hill than cars with less mass?

8. Gathering Information
After stating a problem it is important to find out everything important that is related to the problem.
Ex. What is mass?
Ex. Have any experiments already been done on lighter & heavier cars?

9. Forming a Hypothesis
A suggested solution to the problem is called a hypothesis.
A hypothesis is formed after the important information about the problem has been reviewed.
Hypotheses can be proven right but not proven wrong – data can SUPPORT (not prove) them.
Ex. Cars with different masses should move down a ramp at the same speed.

10. Performing an Experiment
Activities that test the hypothesis are called an experiment.
It is very important to record the procedures and data, or results, of the experiment.
Only one factor or variable can be tested at a time (manipulated or independent variable).
We then measure the dependent variable, or what is affected by the change.
A control is also used in experiments. This situation is identical to other trials, except the variable is left out.

11. Repeating the Work
Experiments must be repeated several times to make sure the same conclusion is always reached and to check to see if the results are accurate.
Usually 3-5 repeats are necessary.

12. Recording and Analyzing Data (dependent variables)
During and after an experiment all data is recorded and analyzed.
Data includes observations such as measurements (quantitative) or general observations (qualitative).
Often graphs or tables are used to analyze (quantitative) data.

13. The mess needs to be cleaned up
Types of Observations
Quantitative
Qualitative
Mass
Color
Time
Smell
Others?
Inferences vs Predictions
Example: a broken egg is on the floor by the table.
Inference (trying to explain or interpret what you observe based upon what you know)
Prediction
Has happened
Will happen
It rolled off the table
The mess needs to be cleaned up

14. Stating a Conclusion
After data is analyzed, a scientist states a conclusion.
Conclusions either find the hypothesis was wrong or the hypothesis was right.
Data from the experiment is used to support the conclusion.
Ex. As evidenced by the similar average speeds of each car moving down a ramp, different masses do not make a difference in the car’s speed .