1. Warmup
Take out the Fossil Find worksheet from yesterday and begin answering the questions on the second page.

2. Scientific Method
Chapter 1.2

3. What is Science? Science is a process
Science helps explain the natural world
Science covers three main categories:
Life Science
Earth Science
Physical Science

4. What is Science? Science uses observation and investigation
Observations are recorded
Experiments are conducted
Models are tested
Investigations follow a general pattern called the SCIENTIFIC METHOD

5. The Scientific Method Our scientific method has six steps
Steps can be repeated many times
New steps can be added

6. Scientific Method Step 1. What’s the Problem?
Someone observes a natural event
Then asks “why?” or “how?”

7. 2. Research Gather as much information as possible
Has this been tested?
Are there tests that will be helpful?

8. 3. Hypothesize HYPOTHESIS: a possible explanation for a problem
Uses what you know
Uses what you observed

9. 4. Test It Test by: Making observations Building a model
Perform an experiment
An EXPERIMENT tests the effect of one thing on another thing, using controlled conditions

10. Experiment Vocabulary
An experiment contains variables and controls
A VARIABLE is something that can have more than one value. It changes, or varies.
A CONSTANT is something that does not change.
A CONTROL is something to which the variable is not applied. Results are compared to the control.

11. Experiment Vocabulary
Dependent variable: factor that changes because of changes in another variable
Independent variable: the variable you change to see how it affects the dependent variable

12. 5. Analyze Data Information is recorded and organized
All data, including results, are recorded
Data is displayed in tables and graphs

13. 6. Make a Conclusion Do the results support the hypothesis?
The hypothesis is valid if the results support it every time
If the results do not support the hypothesis, revise the hypothesis or the experiment

14. Bell work TURN IN YOUR FOSSIL ACTIVITY!!!
Pick up the handouts for the Water Drop Lab and read over the sections labeled: Purpose, Materials, and Hypothesis.
Answer questions 1-3 using “If…then…” statements.
Ex: “IF I add fertilizer to my garden, THEN my plants will grow taller.”