2.  A series of steps  A systematic approach used to gain understanding of the natural world.

4.  You ask a question about something you observe  How, What, When, Who, Which, Why, or Where?  In order for the scientific method to answer that question, it must be something you can measure, preferably with a number

5.  “How many students came to school today?” can be answered by performing an experiment  “Why did you come to school today?” can not be answered by an experiment  YOUR TURN: Write a question that can be answered by using the scientific method.

6.  Rather than starting from scratch in putting together a plan for answering your question, be a savvy scientist and use library and internet resources to help find the best way to do things and insure you don’t repeat mistakes from the past.  Source validity!

7.  A hypothesis is an educated guess about how things work. If (I do this), then (this will happen). You must state your hypothesis in a way that you can easily measure and it should be constructed in a way to help you answer your original question.

8. I observe that there are not many bees visiting my yard this summer (but I like bees) and want them there. So I ask “How can I attract more bees to my yard next summer?” I research bees and find that some native flowers, especially Bee Balm, attracts bees. Based on my research I propose a hypothesis If I plant native bee balm in my yard, then more bees will visit my yard.

10.  Your experiment tells whether your hypothesis is true or false.  It is important for your experiment to be a fair test. You conduct a fair test by making sure that you change only one factor at a time, while keeping all other conditions the same.  Repeat your experiment several times to make sure your first results weren’t just an accident.

11.  Consists of one control group-the group with no change  Also consists of one variable group-the group where one condition is changed  Both groups are treated exactly the same except for the one variable being tested

12.  In my yard I set up two areas, a control area and a variable area  The control group will be just grass  The variable group will have grass and native bee balm  Both areas will be exactly the same (light, temperature, rainfall, etc) except for the bee balm.

13. Write a simple experiment to test your hypothesis. Include a control group and a variable group.

14. 1. Independent Variable: the manipulated variable (what we change) ex: Planting the bee balm 2. Dependent Variable: the responding variable (what happens after our change) ex: More bees come to my yard

15.  Two kinds of data are collected. ◦ Quantitative: refers to numbers  Ex: Plant with added fertilizer grew 5 inches taller than plants without  Quantitative data is always expressed through charts and graphs ◦ Qualitative: refers to observations that you make  Ex: Plants with added fertilizer are greener

16.  Once your experiment is complete, you analyze your data to see if your hypothesis is true of false  Scientists often find that their hypothesis was false and in such cases will construct a new hypothesis, starting the entire method over again  Even if they find a true hypothesis, they might want to test it again in a new way

17.  You will report your lab results in a lab report.  Results (also called The Conclusion) will include: ◦ You will explain and interpret your findings ◦ Tell what you learned ◦ Explain any changes you would make if you were to do it again

18.  Hypothesis: “an educated guess,” a tentative explanation of phenomena  Theory: A widely accepted explanation that has stood up to thorough and continuous testing.  Law: A statement of what always occurs under certain conditions