1. Bell Ringer Monday October 8th
Name as many of the steps of the Scientific Method as you can

3. THE NATURE OF SCIENCE AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
What is Science?
How is Science Done?

4. SCIENCE IS: a way of understanding the natural world
based on our senses
exploration

5. SCIENCE ASKS: What’s there? How does it work?
How did it come to be this way?

6. SCIENCE IS DONE By EVERYONE, EVERYDAY to develop new knowledge
using the SCIENTIFIC METHOD

7. The Scientific Method
The Scientific Method is the only scientific way accepted to back up a theory or idea.

8. The Scientific Method

9. The Scientific Method involves:
Observation
Question (Problem)
Hypothesis
Experiment/ Collect Data
Result
Conclusion

10. The Scientific Method
Observation- We use our senses to gather information about the world around us.
AH—Look at this!

11. Qualitative Observations
Color, shape, feel, taste, sound.
EXAMPLES:
Olivia is wearing a blue sweater.
The dog’s fur is shiny.

12. Quantitative Observations
Quantity: How many. Will always have a number.
Based on exact measurement.
EXAMPLES:
The dog has 2 ears.
There is 1 dog.

13. Question- You ask a question about what you observe.
The Scientific Method
Question- You ask a question about what you observe.
State the problem or question.

14. Created from observations, inferences, and predictions made by you
The Scientific Method
-An educated guess
Created from observations, inferences, and predictions made by you
Hypothesis

15. INFERENCE? HYPOTHESIS? OR PREDICTION?
an explanation based on observations
a guess at what will happen based on prior experience
INFERENCE
a testable explanation that guides an experiment
PREDICTION
HYPOTHESIS

16. explanation based on observations
INFERENCE

17. Making Inferences Could be in trouble (ISS, OSS, Expelled)
You are at the counter in the main office. You see a student leave the principal’s office crying and upset.
We could make an inference as to why the student is upset.
Could be in trouble (ISS, OSS, Expelled)
Family problems at home(sick, accident)
Student not feeling well

18. a guess at what will happen based on prior experience
PREDICTION

19. Making Predictions
We inferred that the student was:
- In trouble (ISS, OSS, expelled)
- Had family problems at home ( sick, accident)
- Not feeling well
We could predict that the student will: - Go to ISS room - Be picked up to go home - Go to the Nurse

20. a testable explanation that guides an experiment
HYPOTHESIS

21. How do we write a Hypothesis?
Use “If”, “Then” format
If we drop a ball from a higher height, Then it will bounce higher.
“If” is the manipulated variable. (Independent)
“Then” is the responding variable. (Dependent)

22. Some plants are taller than others
An Example
OBSERVATION
Some plants are taller than others
HYPOTHESIS If fertilizer is added to a corn plant than it will grow taller than a corn plant without fertilizer
PROMPT: WANT TO TEST FERTILIZER
CONTROL: NO FERTILIZER
EXP GROUP: FERTILIZER

23. The Scientific Method
Experiment/ Collect Data- You figure out a way to test your hypothesis .
The outcome must be measurable
Record and analyze data.

24. receives independent variable receives “normal” treatment
DESIGN AN EXPERIMENT
A controlled experiment is a comparison of two or more groups with one difference between the groups
EXPERIMENTAL GROUP
receives independent variable
CONTROL GROUP
receives “normal” treatment
Corn will receive:
sunlight
water
soil
Corn will receive:
sunlight
water
soil
fertilizer
PROMPT: WANT TO TEST FERTILIZER
CONTROL: NO FERTILIZER
EXP GROUP: FERTILIZER

25. VARIBLES CONSTANT VARIABLE: factors that stay the same
sunlight, water, soil
CONSTANT VARIABLE: factors that stay the same
INDEPENDENT VARIABLE: the difference between the groups; the factor manipulated (changed) by the experimenter
fertilizer
INDPEPENDENT: FERTILIZER
DEPENDENT: PLANT HEIGHT
DEPENDENT VARIABLE: the measured result of the experiment; the factor that responds to the change
plant height

26. Result- You do the experiment using the method you came up with and
The Scientific Method
Result- You do the experiment using
the method you came up with and
record the results. You repeat the
experiment to confirm your
results by retesting.

27. Experiment & Collect Data
DATA / EVIDENCE: “raw” or unprocessed measurements from the experiment
QUALITATIVE: (subjective): descriptive data, uses words, pictures
QUANTITATIVE: (objective): numerical data, from instruments
Height of corn with fertilizer was taller than control group
QUALITATITVE: taller, bigger, short, no growth
QUANTITATIVE: any numerical change like 2cm taller, 0 cm growth
Height of corn with fertilizer averaged 2 cm taller than control group

28. RESULTS & ANALYSIS What does your data mean?
RESULTS: evidence from experiment; organization of data
Tables, graphs, visual representation of data
This is to be very objective – no commentary

29. The Scientific Method Make a CONCLUSION (explanation based on data)
State Conclusion- Does the data support or refute the hypothesis?
Make a CONCLUSION (explanation based on data)
Are there any ERRORS (sources of mistakes)?
Is there a way to improve the experiment?

30. WHAT NOW???? MODEL: graphical explanation or representation
After several experiments have been done, Scientists SHARE their findings and/or develop…
MODEL: graphical explanation or representation
THEORY: a well-tested hypothesis that is has not been proven wrong; generally accepted to be “correct,” unless disproven
LAW: a predictable relationship that is accepted as fact
MODEL: ATOMIC STRUCTURE
THEORY: EVOLUTION
LAW – usually means formula; PRINCIPLES – usually more general
LAW/Principle often used interchangeably
BIG IDEA: CREATE NEW KNOWLEDGE AND TELL OTHERS