1. The Scientific Methoda way of problem solving

The goal of science is to understand the world around us

2. Basic Lab Format

1. Title

2. Question

3. Hypothesis

4. Experiment

5. Data/Observations

6. Conclusion

3. Question Purpose of Investigation Clear question that is

testable

4. Practice

Write a good scientific question to figure out what temperature would grow the tallest plant?

5. Hypothesis/Prediction

Solution to the problem (educated guess)

Written (If, Then, Because)– If-Manipulated Variable

– Then-Responding Variable

– Because-Prediction/Reason

Based on prior knowledge

6. Practice

Write a hypothesis for the plant question, using the if, then, because format.

If I ________________, then I think _____________ will happen, because ____________.

Imagine you are testing temperatures of 30, 70 and 100 degrees Celsius for plant growth (height).

7. Experiment The experiment tests the hypothesis to see if

it can be supported or not 3 parts

– Materials– Procedure – Variables

8. Materials

Must contain all materials referred to in Procedure

Should have specific quantities

9. ProcedureLogical steps so others can follow and repeat.Must Have Repeated Trials (3X)Must use word “record”Numbered listAlways include SI units

10. Variables

Controlled Variable: the many things kept the same

Manipulated Variable: the one thing you change

Responding Variable: the data. What you are measuring

11. Practice

For the plant lab what would the variables be:

Controlled: Manipulated Responding

12. Results: Present in 2 ways

1. Recorded observations: things we see or hear

2. Diagrams

3. Sketches

4. Data: things we measure Data table Graph

13. Conclusion

Conclusive Statement: Must answer the Question (was hypothesis supported or not, why?)

Use evidence/data to support: Use average data, and high/low data

Explanatory Language: How does the data support your statement

14. Reflection

How does the lab relate to real life? How does the lab relate to classwork?

– Refer to a specific reading page, activity or notebook page

15. Repeat the work

Repeat experiment to check accuracy To be accepted as valid work a science

experiment must be repeated by another group with the same results!

Is there a new question to test?