1. THINKING LIKE A SCIENTIST

2. HOW GOOD SCIENCE IS CONDUCTED We use the Scientific Method to solve scientific problems.

3. STEPS IN THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD 1.Make an Observation. 2.Make and Test a Hypothesis. 3.Develop a Theory.

4. MAKING OBSERVATIONS Using your senses to obtain information Observations can lead to questions that we want answers for.

5. A HYPOTHESIS A Hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a question that arose from an observation. We can test a hypothesis by performing an experiment.

6. When designing an experiment, you deal with variables, which are factors that can change. The variable that you change is called the independent variable. The variable that is observed or measured is the dependent variable. Variables

7. In order for the results of an experiment to be accepted, the experiment must be able to reproduce the same results no matter how many times it is repeated. This is why scientists are always expected to include a description of their procedures with their results.

8. A Theory is a well-tested explanation for a set of observations. Theories are very reliable, but they leave open the possibility for modification as a result of new observations and experiments. Theory

9. A scientific law is a brief statement that summarizes the results of many observations and experiments. It doesn’t try to explain what it’s describing, that requires a theory. Scientific Law