1. The Scientific Method
Give one get one – students move around the room to fill in scientific method sheet from last night
In their groups of four, the group decides the correct order of the steps of the scientific method

2. What is the scientific method?
The 'tool' that scientists use to find the answers to questions
It allows scientists to solve complicated problems by taking a series of smaller steps

3. The Steps to the Scientific Method:
Identify a Problem
Do Background Research
Construct an Hypothesis
Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment
Analyze Your Data
Draw a Conclusion
Hypothesis – an educated guess, based on the question you asked and the background research (studying) you did.
Experiment – test to see if your hypothesis is correct, or to find out what happens based on your hypothesis
Analyze – to examine or explore your data (numbers and observations collected from your experiment) and come up with a conclusion (end – an explanation of what happened, if your hypothesis is correct and if any further experimentation is necessary – any questions that may have come up during the experiment)
Communicate results – TELL PEOPLE in an organized, easy to understand way.

4. A. Problem
1. Should be in question form

5. B. Research
1. Use only trusted websites

6. C. Hypothesis 2. Should be in statement form (use “if…then”)
1. Definition = educated guess
2. Should be in statement form (use “if…then”)

7. D. Investigate / Experiment
1. Perform the experiment, gather the data, and make observations

8. 1. Perform the experiment, gather the data, and make observations
Variable – Any factor/condition that can affect the outcome of an experiment
Experimental Group – the group that you experiment with
Control Group/Variable – the group/variable that stays the same

9. 1. Perform the experiment, gather the data, and make observations
Independent (Manipulated) Variable – The condition that is manipulated, or changed, by the scientist
Dependent (Responding) Variable – The condition that responds to the change (it’s what you measure or data you collect!)

10. E. Interpret / Analyze the Data
1. Definition = explain the data and observations (might use graphs & tables)

11. F. Conclusion
1. Should answer the problem

12. But Where does a scientist begin?
What do scientists (and everyday people) do in the world around them?
(Observations)

13. Mapping the Scientific Method

14. Designing an Effective Experiment
Reduce the number of variables
1 is ideal, but a small number is necessary
Create a control group
Include a large number of test subjects (sample size)
Results must be reproducible
Hypothesis – an educated guess, based on the question you asked and the background research (studying) you did.
Experiment – test to see if your hypothesis is correct, or to find out what happens based on your hypothesis
Analyze – to examine or explore your data (numbers and observations collected from your experiment) and come up with a conclusion (end – an explanation of what happened, if your hypothesis is correct and if any further experimentation is necessary – any questions that may have come up during the experiment)
Communicate results – TELL PEOPLE in an organized, easy to understand way.