The Scientific Method

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The Scientific Method

• December 2011

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Bell Work

• 1. What are the 5 steps of the scientific method
  process?
• 2. What is an independent variable?
• 3. What is a dependent variable?

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Scientific Method

• Scientific Method-
• A series of steps that scientists and 7th
  graders use to answer questions and solve
  problems
• The scientific method is a logical, problem
  solving technique

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Steps of the Scientific Method

• 1. Make an Observation/Ask a question
• 2. Write a Hypothesis
• 3. Make Predictions
• 4. Perform Experiments / Data Collection
• 5. Conclusion Statement

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Observation1st Step in the Scientific Method
Process

• 1. An observation is something you can see or
  prove
• 2. An inference is an opinion, or conclusion,
  based on observed facts

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Observation vs. Inference

• Observation
• Observation
• Inference

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Observation vs. Inference

• Observation
• 2. Observation
• 3. Inference

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Observation vs. Inference

1. Observation
2. Observation
3. Inference

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Write a Hypothesis2nd Step in the Scientific
Method Process

• Hypothesis-
• Possible explanation or answer to a question
• What do you think is the answer to your question
  or the reason for your observation

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3rd Step in the Scientific Method ProcessMake
Predictions

• Prediction
• Statement of what may happen in the future
• What are some if / then statements that explain
  and confirm your hypothesis

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Predictions

• If the cows are warned a car is coming, then they
  will stop talking and act like cows.

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Predictions

• If
• then..

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Predictions

• If
• then

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Perform Tests or Experiments4th Step in the
Scientific Method Process

• What will you do to test your predictions?
• -1. Collect Data
• -2. Find out if your hypothesis is or is not
  correct.

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State Your Conclusions5th Step in the Scientific
Method Process

• 1. What did your experiment show?
• 2. Did your experiment confirm (prove right)
  your hypothesis?
• 3. Application
• How does this apply to everyday life?

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Science Vocabulary

• 1. Bias-
• To influence in an unfair way
• 2. Analyze-
• -Consider the detail and subject in order to
  discover the meaning. To look at the results and
  find meaning.
• 3. qualitative-observations made with your senses
  and not numbers
• 4. quantitative- observations that include amount
  or numbers

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Note Cards

• 1. Make note cards (study cards)
• 5 steps of Scientific Method
• Bias
• Analyze

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Independent, Dependent, and Controlled Variables

• 1. Independent, dependent, and controlled
  variables are tools used in an experiment to
  track what is going on
• 2. Allow you to have control over your
  experiments
• 3. Allows you to measure your results and draw
  accurate conclusions

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Independent Variable

• 1. What you change or control in an experiment
• -You can only have one independent variable

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Dependent Variable

• 1. What you measure in an experiment
• 2. You can have more than one dependent variable

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Controlled Variables

• 1. Any other conditions in an experiment
• 2. Must remain constant or the same

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Control Group

• A group in an experiment that is not tested or
  effected

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Examples

• Fast-food experiment
• Plant

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Scientific Method ReviewSong

• Ask a Question or Make an Observation
• Write a Hypothesis
• Make Predictions
• Perform Experiments/Tests-Collect Data
• State Your Conclusions

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Jamals Results
Concrete (distance) Asphalt (distance)
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 4
Average Distance
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Practice

• The Jones put a real Christmas tree up in their
  home each year. This year they dont know what
  species of tree to buy because they want a tree
  that smells good, keeps its needles and stays
  fresh the longest. They go to the local Christmas
  tree farm to cut down their tree.
• The Christmas tree farm has performed their own
  trial this year, and a month ago cut a blue
  spruce, Douglas fir, and white pine and placed
  them in water and displayed them outside the
  store. This allowed customers to view the trees,
  feel the needles, and see how the different
  coniferous trees held their needles and smelled.

1. What is the independent variable?
2. What are the dependent variables?
3. List some controls the Christmas tree farm would
   need to do in order for their results to be more
   valid.
4. What could the farm have down differently to
   increase the validity of their experiment.

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Bell Work

• True or False
• 1.Independent variables affect dependent
  variables.
• 2.The experimental group is the group that is
  tested during an experiment.
• 3. Name the 5 steps in order

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Bell Work

1. Which variable remains constant?
2. Which variable do you measure and have no control
   over?
3. Which variable to your control?

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Bell Work

• True or False
• 1. To analyze means to consider the detail and
  subject in order to discover the meaning.
• 2. It is okay to have bias when performing
  scientific experiments.
• The experimental group is the one being tested in
  an experiment.
• The control group is used to compare results to
  the experimental group in an experiment.