1. Think Like a Scientist! Division of Academics and Transformation
Mary Tweedy, Curriculum Support Specialist
Keisha Kidd, Curriculum Support Specialist
Dr. Millard Lightburn, Instructional Supervisor

2. THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
The process, or steps scientists use to gather information and answer questions!

3. Scientific Method Overview
Make Some Casual Observations
Do Some Background Research
Form a Hypothesis That is Testable
Experiment to Test Your Hypothesis
Analyze Results & Draw Conclusions

4. Step 1: Ask a Question What do you want to find out?
Identify one question that
can be answered by
performing an experiment.
An experiment is a set of steps you follow to test a hypothesis.
This question will be the Problem Statement.

5. Scientific Method
Video & Karaoke Song
Study Jams – Scientific Method

6. Step 2: Make a Hypothesis
Look at the Problem Statement and identify the one factor that can be tested. This is the manipulated or independent variable.
Form an idea or educated prediction that can be tested by an experiment.
Write down your Hypothesis: “If (I do this) then (this) will happen.”

7. Step 3: Plan the Investigation
Identify and record the factors that can affect
the results of the experiment under Variables.
1. Test (independent/manipulated) variable or the
factor that is changed in the experiment.
(See previous Step 3.)
2. Constant variables or all the factors
to be kept the same in the experiment.
3. Outcome (dependent/responding) variable or the data
to be collected during the experiment.
4. Control Group (not found in all experiments)
A group that is untreated by the factor being tested that serves as a reference for comparison to the experimental group.

8. Investigations to Collect Data SC.5.N.2.1 & SC.5.N.2.2
Karaoke Song

9. Step 4: Planning Continued
Write your procedures or the steps you will
follow in your experiment.
Each procedure step needs to be numbered.
Each step needs to begin with a verb.
These procedures will insure that all variables are kept the same (constant) or controlled except the one you are testing (independent).
Identify control group = what remains the same (no variable).
Figure out and collect the materials needed for the experiment.

10. Step 5: Collect, Organize, and Display Data
Start the experiment.
Observe and record the quantitative data (numbers or measurements) collected during the experiment on a data table.
Repeat the experiment three or more times to confirm results.
Take pictures during the experiment.
Graph your data from all trials. (Dry Mix)
Display under Data.
Restate your data in a narrative form under results.

11. Step 6: Drawing Conclusions
What was investigated? (Describe the problem statement.)
Restate your hypothesis, and tell if
it was supported(true) or not supported (false).
What were the major findings? (Explain your results.)
Look at everything that may have affected your results. What possible explanation
can you offer for your findings?

12. Step 7: Making Applications
What recommendations do you have for further study and for improving the experiment?
Explain what you learned from your experiment that could be applied in real life.
List any new question(s) that your experiment lead you to ask that could be tested in a new investigation.

13. M&M Experiment
Activity 1.5

14. Problem Statement (Question to Investigate)
Does the temperature of the water affect how fast the colored
coating dissolves from an M&M?

15. Hypothesis
Write your own hypothesis.
If ………………………, then………………..

16. Materials 3 Same-color M&M’s
1 White foam dessert plates (with measurements)
Room-temperature water
Hot water
Cold water
Measuring cup
Centimeter ruler
Bucket or large bowl
Paper towels
Graduated cylinder

17. Procedures (modified)
Take the temperature of the room temperature water.
Pour 50mL of room-temperature water into the plate.
With the help of your partners, place a same-colored M&M in the center of the plate.
Observe for 1 minute. (stopwatch online)
Measure the distance in cm the colored coating traveled. (measure from the center).
Record your observations on the activity sheet.
Repeat steps 1-6 with the cold water, them hot water.
Record data in chart on lab sheet.
Have students share their observations.
Ask students whether they noticed a difference in the movement of color in the different temperatures of water.

18. Share your observations.

19. Distance Coating Traveled
Data Collection
Distance Coating Traveled
Room Temp.
Cold
Hot
Trial #1 cm
Trial #2
Trial #3
Trial #4
Trial #5
Trial #6
Average
Distance Traveled

20. Conclusion Summarize your findings.
Did your results support your hypothesis or not?
If the experiment was to be repeated should anything be done differently?

21. Application How can this experiment be used in a real-world situation?
What scientific principles can be used for more research?

22. REVIEW

23. 1. Ask a Question or State a Problem
Asking WHAT? or HOW? to something you observed

24. 2. Research your Topic
Gather information that will help you answer your question.
Library, Internet, Interviews, Experiments

25. An educated guess! 3. State your HYPOTHESIS
A Hypothesis is an explanation for a question that can be formally tested.
An educated guess!
If…then…

26. 4. Design an Experiment
A procedure is designed to test your Hypothesis…
Testing whether it is true or false.
Must be repeatable, and easy to understand

27. In a well designed Experiment, you need to keep all variables the same except one.
Test/Independent/Manipulated Variable: (CAUSE)
The factor that is changed in an experiment…it is what you are testing!
Constant/Control Variable(s):
The factor(s) that remains the same!
Outcome/Dependent/Responding Variable: (EFFECT) The data you collect

28. 5. Conduct your Experiment
Perform your experiment by following your written procedure.
Be sure to follow all safety rules!

29. 6. Collect Data
The observations and measurements you make in an experiment are called Data.

30. 7. Analyze Data Did your experiment support your hypothesis?
What happened during your experiment?
Does additional research need to be conducted?

31. 8. Conclusion Does your data and observations support your hypothesis?
“My hypothesis was
(supported or not supported)
because __________”

32. Share your results and data with others.
9. Communication
Share your results and data with others.
Sources: written, spoken, video, TV, papers, lecture . . .

33. 10. New Problem
Form a new question or state a New Problem on the same topic.
What more can you learn?
What do you still want to know?

34. Think Like a Scientist! Don’t Forget!!! Investigate Application
Observe Explore
Think Like a Scientist!

35. Scientific Method - Resources Links
Experiment vocabulary
 Control
Experiment
Thinking Like a Scientist
Fundamentals of Experimental Design