1. KEY CONCEPT Science is a way of thinking, questioning, and gathering evidence.

2. Biologists use experiments to test hypotheses.
Observational studies allow scientists to describe a phenomenon.

3. Qualitative Quantitative
Observation
Begins all scientific inquiry
Uses senses, but also tools
Leads to scientific questions
Used to form hypothesis
Can be recorded as data
Qualitative or quantitative
Qualitative
Quantitative

4. Testing our observation skills
THE OBSERVATION BOX
You will have 1 minute to look into my box.
You may not touch any of the contents.
After the 1 minute, you will go back to your desk to record all of your observations. DO NOT share your notes with anyone else.
After everyone has viewed the contents in the box, you will be challenged to answer 15 questions based on your observations.

5. What color were the sticky notes? What color was the highlighter?
The Observation Box
What color were the sticky notes?
What color was the highlighter?
How many crayons are in the box of crayons?
What color was the key cover clip?
How many items that you observed were green?
What was the card game?
What brand was the tape?
How many items total did you observe?

6. How many writing utensils did you observe?
What color was the paperclip?
Which items that you observed were made from wood?
How many expo markers were there?
How many items had a rectangular shape?
What item(s) was resting on the roll of tape?
What kind of gum did you observe?

7. Like all science, biology is a process of inquiry.
Scientists make careful and systematic observations.
Scientists record observations as data.
Scientists form a hypothesis as a possible answer to a question.
Scientists test their hypotheses and analyze their data.

8. Where in the cycle would retesting a hypothesis take place?

9. Observation or Inference?
Observation is crucial in science.
Help describe and explain
Try not to infer, but experiment.
Inference= interpretation
Observation= detectable with senses or a tool

10. Real Apple VS Word APPLE
Observation
Inference

11. Experimental studies allow scientists to determine what causes a phenomenon.
What about observational studies?
Ex. Studying migration patterns in white storks

12. Testing Hypotheses
Multiple trials needed
Improves accuracy
Reduces risk of error or chance

13. Experimental studies allow scientists to determine what causes a phenomenon.
Independent variables are manipulated.
Dependent variables are observed and measured.
Constants are conditions that are kept the same.

14. How do experiments show cause and effect relationships?
Think it over…
How do experiments show cause and effect relationships?
Ex: If you were measuring the growth rate of trees receiving fertilizer applications compared to the growth rate of tree receiving no fertilizer applications, what would be the variables?
Independent variable=controlled variable fertilizer application.
dependent variable=responding variableTree growth rate

15. Analysis of Data and Evaluating Results
Statistical analysis of results
Nonsignificant (data show no effect, or so small it could have happened by chance)
Significant (data show an effect that is likely not due to chance)
Data doesn’t support the hypothesis?
Peer Review

16. A theory explains a wide range of observations.
Theories explain a wide range of observations and experimental results.
A theory is supported by a wide range of scientific evidence.
Theories can change based on new evidence.

17. A theory explains a wide range of observations.
Scientific Law
Describes a truth that is valid everywhere in the universe
Law of conservation of energy
Provides no explanation
Theories do not become laws

18. Self-Check
1. Which word best describes a scientific hypothesis?
a. provable
b. theoretical
c. testable
d. quantifiable

19. 2. At which stage of scientific inquiry would scientists find out if their hypotheses were supported by their data?
a. observing
b. testing hypotheses
c. analyzing data
d. evaluating results

20. 3. In an experiment, the condition that is manipulated by a scientist is the
a. independent variable.
b. dependent variable.
c. constant.
d. control condition.

21. 4. Which of the following is an important characteristic of a scientific theory?
a. proven by more than one scientist
b. unchanged by new evidence
c. accepted by the public
d. supported by much evidence

22. 5. One way in which experimental research differs from observational research is that only experimental research can
a. test a hypothesis.
b. produce scientific results.
c. support a theory.
d. show cause and effect.

23. Fortune Teller Fish Lab
Instructions in Brief:
Read lab handout
Obtain materials
Experiment and record
Clean up lab area
Complete Lab Report WS