1. NCSCS Objectives 1.01 Identify questions and problems in earth and environmental science that can be answered through scientific investigation 1.01 Identify questions and problems in earth and environmental science that can be answered through scientific investigation 2.05 Create and interpret topographic, soil and geological maps using scale and legend. 2.05 Create and interpret topographic, soil and geological maps using scale and legend.

2. The Scientific Method

3. What is the scientific method? It is a logical, systematic approach to solve a problem It is a logical, systematic approach to solve a problem The scientific method is a set of steps used by the scientific community to organize thoughts in order to solve or investigate problems. The scientific method is a set of steps used by the scientific community to organize thoughts in order to solve or investigate problems.

4. The Steps of the scientific method 1. Identify the problem 2.Gather information 3.Form a hypothesis 4.Design and perform an experiment 5. Gather data (results) 6. Analyze data 7. Form a conclusion 8. Share results 9. Verify results

5. Step 1 Identify the problem This is always the first step This is always the first step Ask yourself, Ask yourself, –What am I trying to figure out in this investigation? –What can I learn through my Observations?  Observation is made by using your senses –Sight, smell, touch, taste, hearing Problem should be related to observation that you or someone else can make during the investigation. Problem should be related to observation that you or someone else can make during the investigation. The problem is written in the form of a question. The problem is written in the form of a question.

6. Quick Example Title: The effect of pH on pansy growth Problem: Will the pH of the water effect the growth of the plants? pH: 2 pH: 7

7. Gather information Gather information related to the question Gather information related to the question –Use the “need to know” to get you started Research, Research, Research !!!! Research, Research, Research !!!! This step could answer the question for you or make you realize that this question is not appropriate for scientific study This step could answer the question for you or make you realize that this question is not appropriate for scientific study

8. Where do we go from here? What do we know already? What do we know already? –Think of five to ten things you already know about your problem. What do we need to know? What do we need to know? –Now what are five to ten things you need to find out? Once we know the problem, then we have to look at gathering information to support our problem. Once we know the problem, then we have to look at gathering information to support our problem. Ask yourself two questions…. Ask yourself two questions….

9. Let’s do it together What I know What I know –Plants need water to grow –The water has different pH levels –The plants need sunlight –The plants need the same temperature –All of the plants are the same. What I need to find out What I need to find out –What is pH? –What is the difference in a level 2, 7 and 9 on a pH scale? –How much water should I give each day? –What temperature does the plants need to be placed in for them to grow? – How much sunlight do I need?

10. Form a hypothesis Form a hypothesis based upon the research and/or previous knowledge. Form a hypothesis based upon the research and/or previous knowledge. Remember: Remember: –A good hypothesis is one that you can test –A hypothesis is a possible answer to your question –A hypothesis is always in the form of a statement, never a question (you already have one) –It is usually in the form of IF….Then….Because

11. How do I write a Hypothesis? –A hypothesis is written in an (if…then...because…) statement –If…tells what you did in the experiment (verb) –Then….tells the action what happen next (reaction) –Because…..Explanation of the reaction –“If………, then………because…..” statement –Example: –If I flip the light switch to on then the light will come on because the switch allows power to go to the light.

12. Quick Example Title: The effect of pH on pansy growth Problem: Will a plant grow with too much acid in the water? Hypothesis: If pansies receive water below pH of 7, then they will not grow because the acid in the water will kill the flower. pH: 2 pH: 7 pH: 8

13. Design an experiment Why Design an experiment? Why Design an experiment? Design an experiment to test your hypothesis Design an experiment to test your hypothesis WAIT…Look at this first WAIT…Look at this first If this impossible, then you do not have a good hypothesis –Go back to step 3 (forming a hypothesis) –If it is possible, then Keep going……

14. Designing an experiment

15. Materials What do you need to perform this problem? What do you need to perform this problem? –Use list or bullets (it is easer to read)

16. Quick Example Title: The effect of pH on pansy growth Problem: Will a plant grow with too much acid in the water? Hypothesis: If pansies receive water below pH of 7, then they will not grow because the acid in the water will kill the flower. Materials: 27 of the same flowers 27 pots of the same size Measuring cup Water source Measuring tape Pen and paper pH: 2 pH: 7 pH: 8

17. Parts of an experiment Control Control Constant Constant Variables Variables –Independent –Dependent Replication Replication Randomization Randomization

18. Control Every experiment must have a control group that will be used for comparison with one or more experimental groups Every experiment must have a control group that will be used for comparison with one or more experimental groups

19. Constants The constants are the things that are will stay the same in the control and experimental group. The constants are the things that are will stay the same in the control and experimental group. The control is identical to the experimental group in all aspects but one variable that is being studied The control is identical to the experimental group in all aspects but one variable that is being studied

20. Variables The variables are the things that change during the experiment. The variables are the things that change during the experiment. –The variable that is being manipulated by the experimenter is called the independent variable –The thing that changes in reaction to the independent variable is the dependent variable –Both variables are often found in the title and hypothesis.

21. Replication Doing the experiment more than once Doing the experiment more than once –Doing is more than once –Having multiple samples in test group The sample size of the experiment must be large enough to reduce sampling error. The sample size of the experiment must be large enough to reduce sampling error.

22. Replication: having more than one plant in each group 9 plants with pH of 2 9 plants with pH of 2 (experimental group 1) (experimental group 1) 9 plants with pH of 7 9 plants with pH of 7 (control) (control) 9 plants with pH of 9 9 plants with pH of 9 (experimental group 2) (experimental group 2)Randomization: Number all 30 plants Number all 30 plants 9 plants are placed in the control group, 9 plants are placed in the experimental group 1, 9 plants are placed in the experimental group 2 pH: 2 pH: 7 pH: 9

23. Replication pH 2 Exp. Group 1 pH 7 Control pH 8 Exp Group 2

24. Data Collection (results) Make observations and collect data Make observations and collect data –This involves taking notes, measurements, are you are conducting your experiment –Descriptive or qualitative data uses written descriptions of what is observed. –Numerical or quantitative data uses measurement that can be recorded in a table or chart –Most data gathering should include both descriptive (qualitative) and numerical (quantitative) data

25. Gather data measure each plant daily place data in tables, graphs place data in tables, graphs pH: 2pH: 7 pH: 8 PH 2 Day 1 Day 5 Day 10 Day 15 PH 7 Day 1 Day 5 Day 10 Day 15 Ph 8 Day 1 Day 5 Day 10 Day 15

26. Gather Data Treatment pH 2 pH 7 pH 8 Plant 1 477 Plant 2 786 Plant 3 576 Plant 4 999 Plant 5 10108 Total 354136 Average Height 35/5 = 7 41/5 = 8.2 36/5= 7.2

27. Analyze data What is the data telling you? What is the data telling you? –This occurs when experiment is over –Data and observations already made are now analyzed to determine cause and effect –Numerical data from the table or chart is placed in a graph –All results must be backed up with data from the experiment

28. Analyze Data

29. Form a conclusion Was the hypothesis supported by the data? Was the hypothesis supported by the data? –Explain why or why not Is more data needed? Is more data needed? –Explain why or what data is needed Should a new hypothesis be made and tested? Should a new hypothesis be made and tested? –Explain why a new hypothesis is needed Does the data lead to more questions that can be explored or tested? Does the data lead to more questions that can be explored or tested? –What are the questions and why Did some problem contaminate the data? Did some problem contaminate the data? –Explain what happen Should be experiment be repeated? Should be experiment be repeated? –Why do you feel it should or should not

30. 2. Gather information 1. 3. 4.4. 4.4. 5,6. 7.8.