Scientific Method

Intro. Song

(Science starts with what?)AN OBSERVATION!!!

And from these observations….we form ____________ and design experiments to find

out more. QUESTIONS

• Which way does buttered toast fall?

• Do you get more wet walking or running in the rain?

• Can chatting on a cell phone while pumping gas start a fire?

• Can a penny dropped off of a skyscraper kill a pedestrian? (what about a bullet shot into the air?)

• Can a singer really break glass with his/her voice?

ACTIVITY 1:

OBSERVATION SKILLS

Clue Video Clip

Basketball Video Clip

ACTIVITY 2: Writing detailed observations….

(Brainstorm the five senses) Write one observation about this classroom for each of the 5 senses.

(what do you already know?)

I= _______________

• Gather _______________ about your topic

• Use Internet, books, interviews...but also make _____________________

______________ -using 5 senses to make an observation…only stating known facts (NO OPINIONS)

INFORMATIONinformation

objective observations

OBJECTIVE

H = _____________

• An _____________ about a ___________ relationship

HYPOTHESIS

educated guesscause/effect

• Must be testable with measurable results

“Fenders on a bicycle will keep the rider more dry when riding through puddles.”

EXAMPLE OF A HYPOTHESIS:

Sometimes stated using “IF….THEN…” statements

E = ___________________

• Test the _________________

EXPERIMENT (procedure)

HYPOTHESIS

“Fenders on a bicycle will keep the rider more dry when riding through puddles.”

2 groups in an experiment…

EXPERIMENTAL CONTROL

Change the ONE variable being tested

Used to compare results…All other variables kept the same

WHAT ARE THEY?

Practice #1:

Hypothesis- “Maple leaves change color in the fall because light exposure decreases”.

Between the experimental and control group:

1. What factors MUST stay the same? (think of 10 or more)

2. What is the ONE (and only) factor that should differ?

Practice #2:

Hypothesis- As the temperature of a “glowstick”increases, the light intensity increases.

Between the experimental and control group:

1. What factors MUST stay the same? (think of 3 or more)

2. What is the ONE (and only) factor that should differ?

R = ________________RESULTS (record data)

Time

Distance between each tick

Time Total Distance Avg. Velocity

(tick) (cm) (seconds) (cm) (cm/s)

1

2

3

1. DATA TABLES -

• DO NOT FORGET UNITS!

• Be consistent with # of decimal places

GRAPHS: 3 types

1. BAR GRAPH - displays counted data

2. PIE (CIRCLE)-displays percentages (out of 100%)

3. LINE GRAPHdisplays a relationship (connection)

between 2 variables

C = ______________

• Restate the ___________

CONCLUSION

• Does the data support or reject the _______________? (analyze the results)

• Reasons for ________

(NOT “HUMAN” ERROR!)

PURPOSE

HYPOTHESIS

ERROR

R = _______________RETEST, REPEAT

In reality, science involves trial and error and often

DOES NOT follow this rigid

format! This flow chart is a guideline.

1. SODA AND MENTOS:

What do you know (prior knowledge)?

Piece of lined paper in Lab/Activity Section:

DO NOT SAY ANYTHING!

FOLD PAPER…(listen to directions)

Mentos and Soda Video Clip

Demonstration

2. SODA AND MENTOS:

What did you observe? (Be DETAILED and OBJECTIVE)

3. SODA AND MENTOS?

Hypothesize. Why did this happen?

4. SODA AND MENTOS: What variables are tested? Explain the findings.

Mythbusters Explain it All!