1. Scientific Method An Overview

2. START Take a note card from the front desk and write down in your own words what you know about the scientific method. If you do not know what the scientific method is, write down what you think it may be. Take a note card from the front desk and write down in your own words what you know about the scientific method. If you do not know what the scientific method is, write down what you think it may be. Once you and your neighbor are done, discuss with them what you wrote down. Once you and your neighbor are done, discuss with them what you wrote down.

3. I can… I can identify the steps of the Scientific Method of Investigation. I can identify the steps of the Scientific Method of Investigation.

4. Only You Can Help to Save Fred Fred has been spending his summer boating on the Great Lakes. But he’s not too bright (after all, the brains of worms are pretty small )He’s never learned how to swim and he never wears his life preserver. The worst has happened! His boat has capsized and he’s stuck! Fortunately, his life preserver is in the boat, but unfortunately he does not know how to reach it without falling off and drowning. Fred has been spending his summer boating on the Great Lakes. But he’s not too bright (after all, the brains of worms are pretty small )He’s never learned how to swim and he never wears his life preserver. The worst has happened! His boat has capsized and he’s stuck! Fortunately, his life preserver is in the boat, but unfortunately he does not know how to reach it without falling off and drowning.

5. Scientific Method 1. State the Question: What is it that you want to find out? 1. State the Question: What is it that you want to find out? 2. Research the topic: Investigate what others have already learned about the topic. 2. Research the topic: Investigate what others have already learned about the topic. 3. State the Hypothesis: Predict what you think will happen in the experiment. This educated guess must be stated in a way that can be measured. 3. State the Hypothesis: Predict what you think will happen in the experiment. This educated guess must be stated in a way that can be measured.

6. Scientific Method cont… 4. Test the Hypothesis: Develop an experiment or procedure for testing whether the hypothesis is true or false. 4. Test the Hypothesis: Develop an experiment or procedure for testing whether the hypothesis is true or false. 5. Analyze the results: Analyze the data collected and summarize the results. 5. Analyze the results: Analyze the data collected and summarize the results. 6. Draw Conclusions: Explain the meaning of the results. Determine if the experiment supports the hypothesis. 6. Draw Conclusions: Explain the meaning of the results. Determine if the experiment supports the hypothesis.

7. Scientific Method cont… 7. Report Results and Conclusions: Prepare and present written and/or verbal presentation of the project. 7. Report Results and Conclusions: Prepare and present written and/or verbal presentation of the project.

8. Problem How can you and your partner save Fred using only 4 paper clips? How can you and your partner save Fred using only 4 paper clips? You may not touch Fred, the boat, or the life preserver directly with your hands. You may not touch Fred, the boat, or the life preserver directly with your hands.

9. Materials Gummy Worm Gummy Worm Gummy life preserver Gummy life preserver 1 plastic cup 1 plastic cup 4 paper clips 4 paper clips

10. Problem How can you and your partner save Fred using only 4 paper clips? How can you and your partner save Fred using only 4 paper clips? You may not touch Fred, the boat, or the life preserver directly with your hands. You may not touch Fred, the boat, or the life preserver directly with your hands.

11. Scientific Method 1. State the Question 1. State the Question 2. Research the Topic 2. Research the Topic 3. State the Hypothesis 3. State the Hypothesis 4. Test the Hypothesis 4. Test the Hypothesis 5. Analyze the Results 5. Analyze the Results 6. Draw Conclusions 6. Draw Conclusions 7. Report Results and Conclusion 7. Report Results and Conclusion

12. To Do: In your notebook, write down the steps of the Scientific Method, except for each step write down how it relates to the activity. In your notebook, write down the steps of the Scientific Method, except for each step write down how it relates to the activity. Let’s do the first one together. Let’s do the first one together.

13. Reflection Close your notebooks. Close your notebooks. On a half sheet of paper, write your name, date, and answer the following questions. Be sure to write the number of the question. On a half sheet of paper, write your name, date, and answer the following questions. Be sure to write the number of the question. 1. What is the purpose of the Scientific Method? 1. What is the purpose of the Scientific Method? 2. Why is it useful? 2. Why is it useful? 3. How many steps are there? 3. How many steps are there? 4. List the steps. 4. List the steps.

14. Homework Worksheet Worksheet Be Sure to complete the worksheet completely. Be Sure to complete the worksheet completely.