1. What is the Scientific Method?
Who uses it?
What is it?
Everyone uses it everyday.
Even YOU!!!
It is a way to solve problems.
Do you have any problems to solve?

2. It all starts with a question…

3. Any of these sound familiar?
Where are My Shoes?
What should I have for lunch?
What class do I have next?
Did I do my homework for that class?
What is the cure for cancer?
Which deodorant works the longest?

4. The steps of the Scientific Method are:
Question/ Problem
Research Information
Hypothesis
Experiment Procedure/Materials
Observations/Data
Conclusion

5. Scientists develop a question about a problem
Scientists develop a question about a problem. They need to be very specific in defining what they are trying to explain or solve.

6. Research Information
Next they gather information about the problem/question. They can use:
books
magazines
reports
experts
your past experiences or prior knowledge

7. Develop a Hypothesis What is a hypothesis?
-what you think the answer is based upon your gathered information and prior knowledge
-an educated guess
It begins with:
I think …

8. Experiment The next step scientists take is to create and conduct an experiment to test their hypothesis.
This should include a materials list and a procedure with step-by-step directions.

9. Every experiment has variables!
A variable is anything that changes or could change in an experiment.
Three types of variables in an experiment.

10. Three types of variables:
The independent variable is the variable that is changed on purpose to test the dependent variable.
The dependent variable is the variable that is affected by the changes made to the independent variable.
A control variable is the variable in an experiment that is unchanged and constant.

11. Ex: Your body’s growth (dependant variable) depends on the amount of vitamins and nutrients you consume (independent variable).

12. Now it’s your turn!
Taking a nap in the afternoon makes people more focused for the rest of the day.
Independent Variable: Time spent napping in the afternoon
Dependent Variable: Focus

13. Observations A key to experiments is observing what happens and writing it down.
It may be charts, graphs, or written work.
This is WHAT HAPPENED!!!!!
Gathering information or data and documenting it so it is readable and makes sense to others is really important.

14. Conclusion What did you find the answer to the question was?
It is OK if it turns out that your hypothesis was not correct. You learned!!!!!!!!!