1. Scientific Method
Film Canister Lab

2. There are many ways to conduct science
Examples:
Observational- Field study
Such as animal behavior
“Experimental Research” – Conducts controlled experiments.
Tests one variable
Different steps

3. Experimental Research “Usually associated with scientific method”
One way of researching the natural world

4. Identify a Question or Purpose
After observing the world around you, you can derive a problem that you want to find more about
Derive a question based on observation above that you would like to investigate.
AND/OR
State purpose of experiment

5. Flip Book- Purpose/Question
Rationale
Gives focus to the investigation
Format
Purpose/Question: Statement or question
My Responsibility
Read for understanding
Example
See Film Canister Lab

6. Observation of film canister
NO TALKING
LISTEN AND WATCH TEACHER
Brainstorm…

7. Film Canister Lab-
Purpose/Question: Does changing the amount of water in the film canister change the reaction time?
Notice that the words purpose/question are underlined with a colon after the word “Question”

8. Background Information
Scientist research and become knowledgeable about the subject and investigation that they are going to test.
They know and understand key concepts relating to their topic .
AND/OR
They know and understand other investigations that have already been conducted about their topic.

9. Flip Book- Background info
Rationale
Provide facts to understand the investigation
Format
Background Information: Paragraph of information
My Responsibility
Read
Take notes and highlight
Make connections
Example
See Film Canister Lab

10. Film Canister- Background Info
Purpose/Question:
Background Information:
Cut and Glue in the Background Information for the Film Canister Lab onto your Lab Paper.
Notice that the words Background Information are underlined with a colon after the word “Information”

11. Background Information
There's nothing like a little rocket science to add some excitement to the day. Alka-Seltzer (an effervescence) is made of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), citric acid, and acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). When you add water it starts to dissolve the Alka-Seltzer tablet. When the solid dry powders of sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, and acetylsalicylic acid are pressed together to make a tablet, being solids, the molecules are not mobile enough to react. Adding the right amount of water dissolves the chemicals and allows them to mingle and react. This creates a gas called carbon dioxide. As the carbon dioxide is being released, it creates pressure inside the film canister. The more gas that is made, the more pressure builds up until there is no more room in the film canister and the cap is blasted down and the canister is blasted up. The lid of the canister is the path of least resistance for the gas pressure building up inside, so it pops off instead of the stronger sides or bottom of the canister bursting open. We can thank Sir Isaac Newton for what happens next. When the build-up of carbon dioxide gas is too great and the lid pops off, Newton's Third Law explains why the film canister flies across the room: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. The lid goes one way and the film canister shoots out of the tube in the opposite direction. This system of thrust is how a real rocket works whether it is in outer space or here in the earth's atmosphere. Of course, real rockets use rocket fuel.

12. Hypothesis
A HYPOTHESIS is a tentative statement that proposes a possible explanation to some phenomenon or event.
A hypothesis:
Is written in an IF…Then … Because statement.
Relates two variables (the independent and dependent).
Is testable.

13. **** Do NOT use I, we, me, etc.****
Flip Book-Hypothesis
Rationale
Clear, testable statement
Format
Hypothesis: If ____________________
(Independent Variable)
___________, then the ______________ _______
(changes) (Dependent Variable) (Changes)
because ________________________.
(based on background info)
**** Do NOT use I, we, me, etc.****
My Responsibility
Form an educated guess based on background information and prior knowledge
Example
See Film Canister Lab

14. Identify Variables
Independent Variable- the factor that you manipulate, the factor that you change or monitor in an experiment. Cause
X-axis
Answers the question: What do I change/test?
Dependent Variable- the factor that changes in response to the independent variable, the results, the outcome that is being measured or observed in an experiment. Effect
Y-axis
Answers the questions: What do I measure/observe for results?

15. Variables Continued
Constant Variables- During the experiment to only test one variable OR the independent variable scientists use CONSTANTS.
Constants are factors in an experiment that stay the same throughout the whole experiment.
Answers the question: What do I keep the same?

16. Necessary to have a controlled experiment
Flip Book- Variables
Rationale
Necessary to have a controlled experiment
Format
Variables:
Independent: ONE
Dependent: ONE
Constants: At least two
My Responsibility
Identify one independent variable
What do I change/test?
Identify one dependent variable (the results)
What do I measure/observe for results?
Identify at least two constants
These MUST stay the same through ALL trials
Example
See Film Canister Lab

17. Film Canister- Hypothesis
Purpose/Question:
Background Information:
Hypothesis: If the amount of water is increased then the reaction time of the lid popping off will decrease because there is less room in the canister for the pressure to build therefore popping off earlier.
Variables:

18. Film Canister Lab- Variables
Purpose/Question:
Background Information:
Hypothesis:
Variables:
Independent: Amount of Water (mL)
Dependent: Reaction time(seconds)
Constants: Brand of effervescent tablet.
Amount of effervescent tablet

19. Materials
A detailed list of all the equipment and materials needed to conduct the experiment.
You must be specific and methodical so that someone could exactly duplicate your experiment.
Use brand names and/or numbers for every single item on your list
Bullet the list with the details listed at the end of each item

20. Lists all equipment and materials used during an investigation
Flip Book- Materials
Rationale
Lists all equipment and materials used during an investigation
Format
Materials:
Needs to be bullet points
Brand names
Quantities
My Responsibility
Gather listed equipment and materials OR
Identify and gather the equipment and materials
Example
See Film Canister lab

21. Film Canister- Materials
Purpose/Question:
Background Information:
Hypothesis:
Notice that the materials are bulleted and listed one after another.
Variables:
Materials:
2 Alka-Seltzer tablets
1 film canister with cap
1 graduated cylinder
1 thermometer
1 timer/stopwatch
100 mL of tap water
Paper towels to clean up mess

22. Procedure
Write a detailed and precise procedure that includes the correct sequence of steps to be taken
The procedure should be specific and methodical so that another experimenter could duplicate the experiment without having to ask you ANY questions!
Write for one level of the independent variable and add repetitions for repeated trials
Written in step by step form using numbers

23. Flip Book- Procedure
Rationale
Logical, detailed steps written so that another scientist could duplicate the exact lab
Format
Procedure:
Listed in numerical steps
Include multiple trials when applicable
Can use “repeat” for multiple trials
My Responsibility
Follow the detailed steps exactly
AND/OR
Write the detailed steps to be followed
Example
See Film Canister Lab

24. Film Canister- Procedure
Break the tablet in half.
Measure 10 mL of tap water
Measure the temperature of the water.
Pour the 10 mL of tap water into the film canister.
Add one half of the tablet to a film canister.
Quickly cap the canister and turn upside down so the cap is
resting on the table.
Measure the time it takes to pop the top and record in the data table.
Repeat steps 2-7 for one more trial.
Repeat steps 2-8 for 20 mL of water.
Cut and Glue in the Procedure for the Film Canister Lab onto your Lab Paper.
Notice that the procedures are numbered and listed one after another.

25. Data Excellent way to organize and show trends in data.
Many types of graphs to show data.
Data Table
Drawings
Graphs
Bar graph- most common, best when I.V. is not numerical.
Line graph-mostly used when you have numerical I.V. and D.V.

26. Flip Book-Data
Rationale
Used to organize the results of an investigation and used to identify trends and patterns in an investigation
Format
Data Table:
Graph:
My Responsibility
Accurately collect and record data in an organized format (chart, table, graph, drawing, etc.)
Example
See Film Canister Lab
IV-
DV-
Constants
Trial 1
Trial 2
Mean
Title:
D.V.:
I.V.:

27. Film Canister- Data
Procedure:
Data Table:
IV- Amount of Water- mL
DV- Time in seconds
Constants
Trial 1
Trial 2
Mean
Amount of tablet
Temp of water
10 mL
20 mL
Cut and Glue in the Data Table for the Film Canister Lab onto your Lab Paper.

28. THIS IS OUR EXAMPLE GRAPH MAKE YOUR OWN WITH YOUR OWN DATA!!!
Film Canister - Graph
Procedure:
Data Table:
Graph:
THIS IS OUR EXAMPLE GRAPH MAKE YOUR OWN WITH YOUR OWN DATA!!!
This zig-zag is to be used when intervals on the Y-axis start later than zero and may only be used ONE time from the zero to the start number

29. Conclusion Paragraph or several paragraphs stating:
whether the data supported the hypothesis or not, the major findings including evidence from your data, include trends present in data, what happened that was unexpected (if any) and possible reasons why.
Also include any recommendations that would improved your experiment
Remember that science is done by humans so what are some human errors? Things you might not have been aware of before the experiment and know now that you would do differently.
Could also include possible things for further study

30. THIS IS IN PARAGRAPH FORM- Use transition words between sentences
Flip Book- Conclusion
Rationale
Analyze and summarize the investigation to determine if the hypothesis has been supported
Format
Conclusion:
THIS IS IN PARAGRAPH FORM- Use transition words between sentences
Begin by restating the purpose.
Restate the hypothesis and include whether or not the hypothesis was supported or unsupported.
State and interpret the major findings from the investigation. This will act as the evidence to justify the claim (hypothesis was supported or unsupported). Include data from the lab and readings.
Include any errors that might have occurred that would impact the results of the investigation, and any recommendations that may have improved the investigation.
End with an application statement (real world connection or in class connection).
Example
SEE FILM CANISTER LAB
My Responsibility
Write a paragraph or several paragraphs stating the major findings of the investigation and whether or not the hypothesis has been supported

31. Film Canister- Conclusion
Procedure:
Data Table:
Graph:
Conclusion:
Using the sentence starters provided, complete the conclusion for this experiment.

32. Report out or Redo experiment
Scientist review their investigation. They either
make their studies known to the scientific community.
It is subject to peer review. OR
Make revisions to experiment
Retest their revised investigation