Scientific MethodScientific MethodS4CS1S4CS1

EQ: How will I distinguish the EQ: How will I distinguish the steps of the scientific method?steps of the scientific method?

The scientific method is a way in The scientific method is a way in which scientists find out how which scientists find out how

things work and affect each other. things work and affect each other. The six steps of this method help The six steps of this method help

scientists test ideas.scientists test ideas.

Observe & Ask QuestionsObserve & Ask Questions

I wonder?I wonder?

What happens when?What happens when?

Why?Why?

Research Your TopicResearch Your Topic

Visit the library.Visit the library.

Find online resources.Find online resources.

Ask an expert.Ask an expert.

State your HypothesisState your Hypothesis

An educated guess.An educated guess.

Make the questions testable.Make the questions testable.

What do you think will happen?What do you think will happen?

Test Your HypothesisTest Your Hypothesis

Conduct Conduct

the the

experiment.experiment.

Analyze Your DataAnalyze Your Data

Put your data into a chart or graph.Put your data into a chart or graph.

Was your hypothesis correct? Was your hypothesis correct?

Why or why not?Why or why not?

Report Your ResultsReport Your Results

Your report should have complete Your report should have complete sentences with correct sentences with correct

punctuation and capitalization.punctuation and capitalization.

Think Like a ScientistThink Like a ScientistYou are hungry. You decide to make a sandwich You are hungry. You decide to make a sandwich

for lunch. You gather all your favorite sandwich for lunch. You gather all your favorite sandwich foods: cheese, meat, lettuce, mustard, and foods: cheese, meat, lettuce, mustard, and tomatoes.tomatoes.

Then you look for the bread. You know your Then you look for the bread. You know your father bought a fresh loaf a few days ago. It father bought a fresh loaf a few days ago. It isn’t in the refrigerator. You find the bread in isn’t in the refrigerator. You find the bread in the metal bread box right next to the stove. the metal bread box right next to the stove. You open the package and pull out two slices. You open the package and pull out two slices. Wait!! There are black and green fuzzy spots Wait!! There are black and green fuzzy spots on the crust. The bread is moldy!!!on the crust. The bread is moldy!!!

You have seen mold on bread before. But the mold You have seen mold on bread before. But the mold was not on such fresh bread. That makes you was not on such fresh bread. That makes you wonder, “If the bread was fresh only a few days wonder, “If the bread was fresh only a few days ago, why is there mold on it today?”ago, why is there mold on it today?”

You just went from being hungry to thinking like a You just went from being hungry to thinking like a scientist. All scientist wonder about the things scientist. All scientist wonder about the things they notice. Then they ask questions about them. they notice. Then they ask questions about them. They also investigate how or why things happen. They also investigate how or why things happen. But you do not need to be a scientist to do a But you do not need to be a scientist to do a scientific investigation. All you need to do is scientific investigation. All you need to do is follow a certain way of thinking.follow a certain way of thinking.

The scientific method helps you think out The scientific method helps you think out ideas and plan investigations. You will not ideas and plan investigations. You will not always follow all the steps in the same always follow all the steps in the same order. But the method almost always starts order. But the method almost always starts in the same way.in the same way.

The first step of a scientific method is to The first step of a scientific method is to notice something interesting. When you notice something interesting. When you noticed the mold, you made an noticed the mold, you made an observation. When you observe, you use observation. When you observe, you use your senses to gather information. Your your senses to gather information. Your senses are sight, hearing, touch, smell, and senses are sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste.taste.

You use your senses all the time. If you You use your senses all the time. If you want to find a book, you look around. You want to find a book, you look around. You hear a knock on the door and know there hear a knock on the door and know there is someone there. You can smell fresh is someone there. You can smell fresh flowers in our home, often before you even flowers in our home, often before you even see them. These are all observations. see them. These are all observations. They are clues about what is happening They are clues about what is happening around you.around you.

Common Phrases in Common Phrases in Scientific QuestionsScientific Questions

What is….?What is….?What causes…?What causes…?

How does…?How does…?When will…?When will…?How long…?How long…?

Why…?Why…?How many more…?How many more…?What happens if…?What happens if…?

What is the quickest way to….?What is the quickest way to….?

Observing and asking questionsObserving and asking questions

Object/EventObject/Event Senses used to Senses used to observeobserve

QuestionsQuestions

Moldy breadMoldy bread

Overripe bananaOverripe banana

Wilted plant in a sunny Wilted plant in a sunny yardyard

Can of garbage tipping Can of garbage tipping overover

Shivering while wearing a Shivering while wearing a new jacketnew jacket

Think Like a ScientistThink Like a ScientistYour stomach is growling, but you don’t want to eat moldy Your stomach is growling, but you don’t want to eat moldy

bread. You wonder, “What caused the bread to get bread. You wonder, “What caused the bread to get moldy?”moldy?”

Maybe there are clues to answer in the kitchen. You Maybe there are clues to answer in the kitchen. You observe the kitchen carefully. You look at the breadbox observe the kitchen carefully. You look at the breadbox next to the stove. You remember that your family usually next to the stove. You remember that your family usually stores bread in the refrigerator. And you don’t remember stores bread in the refrigerator. And you don’t remember bread from the refrigerator getting moldy so quickly. bread from the refrigerator getting moldy so quickly. What are the differences between the bread box and the What are the differences between the bread box and the refrigerator? You compare them. These observations refrigerator? You compare them. These observations lead you to make a guess about what caused the bread lead you to make a guess about what caused the bread to get moldy. You ask yourself, ‘How can I find out to get moldy. You ask yourself, ‘How can I find out whether my guess is right?”whether my guess is right?”

To answer your question, you need to plan an To answer your question, you need to plan an experiment. But before you plan your experiment. But before you plan your experiment, you need to form a hypothesis. experiment, you need to form a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a guess about the answer A hypothesis is a guess about the answer to a scientific question. Your hypothesis to a scientific question. Your hypothesis might be “Mold grows faster in warmer might be “Mold grows faster in warmer temperatures.” Now you can plan an temperatures.” Now you can plan an experiment and find out whether your experiment and find out whether your hypothesis is correct.hypothesis is correct.

An experiment tests a hypothesis to see if it An experiment tests a hypothesis to see if it is correct. You test your hypothesis by is correct. You test your hypothesis by observing the effects of a variable. A observing the effects of a variable. A variable is a condition in an experiment that variable is a condition in an experiment that can change. You only change one variable can change. You only change one variable in any experiment. That way, your test is in any experiment. That way, your test is fair. You know that anything that happens fair. You know that anything that happens afterward was caused by the one variable afterward was caused by the one variable you changed. you changed.

Click here for a Scientific Variable VideoClick here for a Scientific Variable Video

Both plants are the same kind of plant. Both Both plants are the same kind of plant. Both plants are the same size. The plants get plants are the same size. The plants get light from bulbs that are the same size. light from bulbs that are the same size. And both bulbs are the same distance And both bulbs are the same distance from the plants . The experimenter also from the plants . The experimenter also uses the same kind of soil and the same uses the same kind of soil and the same kind of pot. Both plants also get the same kind of pot. Both plants also get the same amount of water.amount of water.

What condition is different? The color of the What condition is different? The color of the light is the only variable that changes. That light is the only variable that changes. That is the variable being tested In this is the variable being tested In this experiment, any differences in the growth experiment, any differences in the growth of the plants will be caused by the color of of the plants will be caused by the color of the light.the light.

For our bread experiment, we will place two slices of For our bread experiment, we will place two slices of bread in different places. One slice goes in a bread in different places. One slice goes in a warm place. The other in a cool place. The warm place. The other in a cool place. The variable will be the temperature. The other variable will be the temperature. The other conditions will be the same.conditions will be the same.

Then observe and record data. Data are Then observe and record data. Data are information. Data can include measurements or information. Data can include measurements or observations. When you record data, you observations. When you record data, you observe what happens. Then you write or draw observe what happens. Then you write or draw what you observe. Later, your data help you what you observe. Later, your data help you decide whether your hypothesis makes sense.decide whether your hypothesis makes sense.

Forming A Hypothesis and Forming A Hypothesis and

Designing An ExperimentDesigning An Experiment

ObservationObservationTwo loaves of bread were left on a kitchen counter The loaves were identical. One loaf was left on Two loaves of bread were left on a kitchen counter The loaves were identical. One loaf was left on the counter for two weeks. It became very moldy. The other loaf on the counter for only one week. the counter for two weeks. It became very moldy. The other loaf on the counter for only one week. It was not moldy.It was not moldy.

HypothesisHypothesis

ExperimentExperiment

Variable that you will changeVariable that you will change

Conditions that you will keep the sameConditions that you will keep the same

You did the experiment. Each morning for a You did the experiment. Each morning for a week, you observed both slices of bread. week, you observed both slices of bread. Remember, one slice was kept in a warm Remember, one slice was kept in a warm place. The other slice was kept in a cool place. The other slice was kept in a cool place. Your carefully recorded what you place. Your carefully recorded what you saw. After the week is over, you look over saw. After the week is over, you look over your data.your data.

““What does this information tell me?” What does this information tell me?”

““Does my hypothesis make sense?”Does my hypothesis make sense?”

Organizing Your DataOrganizing Your Data

There are many ways to make data easier to There are many ways to make data easier to read and understand. First, you organize read and understand. First, you organize you data in a sensible way. Then you you data in a sensible way. Then you display the data. This helps you make display the data. This helps you make sense of it. Sometimes you do both these sense of it. Sometimes you do both these things at the same time.things at the same time.

TablesTables

A table organizes and A table organizes and displays data in rows displays data in rows and columns. You and columns. You can make your table can make your table before you start that before you start that way you fill in the way you fill in the table as you collect table as you collect your data.your data.

Outside TemperatureOutside TemperatureDayDay Noon Noon 9:00 P.M.9:00 P.M.

11 55° C° C -4-4°° C C

22 00°° C C -7-7°° C C

33 22°° C C -5-5°° C C

44 8 8 °°CC 33°° C C

55

GraphsGraphs

A graph A graph displays a displays a relationship relationship between sets between sets of data. of data.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

1stQtr

2ndQtr

3rdQtr

4thQtr

East

West

North

Analyze Your DataAnalyze Your DataOnce you have your data in a graph or table you Once you have your data in a graph or table you

must analyze the data. To analyze means to must analyze the data. To analyze means to study data carefully to figure out what it means. study data carefully to figure out what it means. When you analyze data, you look for details or When you analyze data, you look for details or patterns. The details or patterns help you figure patterns. The details or patterns help you figure it all out. This can lead you to an explanation. it all out. This can lead you to an explanation. Then you can draw a conclusion. Then you can draw a conclusion.

When you look at the bars on a double bar graph, When you look at the bars on a double bar graph, you are comparing data. When you compare, you are comparing data. When you compare, you look at two or more sets of data and tell how you look at two or more sets of data and tell how they are alike or different. they are alike or different.

Draw a ConclusionDraw a Conclusion

You recorded data each day for a week. Now it’s You recorded data each day for a week. Now it’s time to analyze the data. To analyze means to time to analyze the data. To analyze means to figure out the meaning of data. When you figure out the meaning of data. When you analyze data, you look for details that explain analyze data, you look for details that explain things. In this case, you analyze mold growth on things. In this case, you analyze mold growth on the slices of bread. You look for patterns in the the slices of bread. You look for patterns in the growth of mold over the one week period.growth of mold over the one week period.

At the end of the week your data chart looks like At the end of the week your data chart looks like this:this:

Data From Bread Mold ExperimentData From Bread Mold Experiment

DayDay Slices of Bread in Slices of Bread in

Cool PlaceCool Place

Slices of Bread in Slices of Bread in

Warm PlaceWarm Place

11 No MoldNo Mold No MoldNo Mold

22 No MoldNo Mold No MoldNo Mold

33 No MoldNo Mold No MoldNo Mold

44 No MoldNo Mold One small patch of moldOne small patch of mold

55 No MoldNo Mold First patch of mold is bigger; second First patch of mold is bigger; second small patch of moldsmall patch of mold

66 No MoldNo Mold First two patches of mold are bigger; a First two patches of mold are bigger; a third patch is startingthird patch is starting

77 Small patch of moldSmall patch of mold The two big patches combined into one The two big patches combined into one large patch; two new patches of mold.large patch; two new patches of mold.

You analyze our data by looking for patterns. This helps You analyze our data by looking for patterns. This helps you understand what happened. Look at he data for the you understand what happened. Look at he data for the bread stored in a cool place. There was no mold on that bread stored in a cool place. There was no mold on that bread until the seventh day of your experiment. In the bread until the seventh day of your experiment. In the end, there was only a small patch of mold. But there was end, there was only a small patch of mold. But there was mold on the bread in the warm place by the fourth day. mold on the bread in the warm place by the fourth day. More and more mold appeared every day after that.More and more mold appeared every day after that.

There is a pattern! Now it’s time to decide whether the There is a pattern! Now it’s time to decide whether the pattern supports your hypothesis. To support means to pattern supports your hypothesis. To support means to ‘hold up.’ If the data can support your hypothesis, the ‘hold up.’ If the data can support your hypothesis, the hypothesis holds up That means it makes sense.hypothesis holds up That means it makes sense.

If the data do not support your hypothesis, the hypothesis If the data do not support your hypothesis, the hypothesis ‘falls down.’ But don’t feel bad if that happens. A ‘falls down.’ But don’t feel bad if that happens. A hypothesis is a guess. It’s fine if your guess wasn’t right. hypothesis is a guess. It’s fine if your guess wasn’t right. You learned from your experiment either way.You learned from your experiment either way.

Your hypothesis was that mold grows faster in a warm place Your hypothesis was that mold grows faster in a warm place than in a cooler place. The data that you collected and than in a cooler place. The data that you collected and analyzed shows that your hypothesis is supported. That analyzed shows that your hypothesis is supported. That means you can conclude that temperature does affect the means you can conclude that temperature does affect the growth of bread mold. A scientific conclusion is a growth of bread mold. A scientific conclusion is a decision that comes from analyzing data. Your decision that comes from analyzing data. Your conclusion? Mold grows faster on warmer bread than on conclusion? Mold grows faster on warmer bread than on cooler bread.cooler bread.

Remember, a careful experiment is never a failure. It’s nice Remember, a careful experiment is never a failure. It’s nice to prove your hypothesis correct. But every experiment to prove your hypothesis correct. But every experiment gives you valuable information. An experiment may rule gives you valuable information. An experiment may rule out an idea. That is important information to know. It lets out an idea. That is important information to know. It lets you consider other ideas. After you rule out ideas that do you consider other ideas. After you rule out ideas that do not make sense, you come up with new ideas.not make sense, you come up with new ideas.

You might find observations from an experiment that might You might find observations from an experiment that might give you more questions. You will have to form a new give you more questions. You will have to form a new hypothesis and perform another experiment.hypothesis and perform another experiment.

Forming and Testing HypothesesForming and Testing Hypotheses

ObservationObservation New Hypothesis/Way to Test itNew Hypothesis/Way to Test it

1. The container with the moldy bread 1. The container with the moldy bread was not tightly sealed. The bag was not tightly sealed. The bag holding the bread without mold was holding the bread without mold was tightly sealed.tightly sealed.

2. You tried this experiment again with 2. You tried this experiment again with different brands of bread. One brand different brands of bread. One brand got no mold at all. The other brand got got no mold at all. The other brand got much more mold.much more mold.

3. Moister bread grew mold faster than 3. Moister bread grew mold faster than drier bread.drier bread.

Report Your ResultsReport Your Results

When writing your report When writing your report remember to use complete remember to use complete

sentences, correct punctuation, sentences, correct punctuation, and capitalization. Use the self and capitalization. Use the self assessment on the next page to assessment on the next page to

assist your writing.assist your writing.(Resource: (Resource: Writing Strategies for ScienceWriting Strategies for Science by Sarah K Clark) by Sarah K Clark)

Name: ____________________________________________________________ Self-Assessment Title: ___________________________________ Date: _________________ Topic: _________________________________________________________ Directions: Answer the questions below to self-assess your writing. 1. Capitalization __________ Did I capitalize the first word of each sentence? __________ Did I capitalize proper nouns such as names and places? 2. Punctuation __________ Did I put a ., !, or a ? at the end of each sentence? __________ Did I use commas in a series? __________ Did I use commas in dates? __________ Have I been careful not to use the exclamation point too much? __________ Have I used quotation marks when I needed them? 3. Handwriting __________ Did I write neatly? __________ Are there missing words that need to be added? __________ Are there extra words that need to be deleted? 4. Spelling __________ Did I check my spelling? 5. Overall Content __________ Have I been clear about the topic of my writing? __________ Is it easy to tell what the main idea is? __________ Have I used any special words or phrases that add to my writing? __________ Are there any words or phrases that are confusing? __________ Have I used an interesting lead? __________ Have I considered what would make my writing better? 6. Science Content __________ Did I use the correct science terms? __________ Did I write about the science topic accurately? __________ Did I do adequate research on the science topic? __________ Did I use my own words? __________ Do I clearly understand the science topic I am writing about?

Mr. Parr’s

Scientific Method

Song

Are you ready for Are you ready for

REVIEW REVIEW QUESTIONS?????QUESTIONS?????

1. When you observe, you find out 1. When you observe, you find out about your surrounding by using?about your surrounding by using?

A.A. Only your eyes.Only your eyes.

B.B. All your senses.All your senses.

C.C. Only your ears.Only your ears.

D.D. Only your hands and eyes.Only your hands and eyes.

2. Which is an example of 2. Which is an example of observation?observation?

a.a. Forming a hypothesis.Forming a hypothesis.

b.b. Graphing daily air temperatures.Graphing daily air temperatures.

c.c. Hearing birds start to chirp.Hearing birds start to chirp.

d.d. Walking into a room.Walking into a room.

3. Which is often the last step of a 3. Which is often the last step of a scientific method?scientific method?

a.a. Drawing a conclusionDrawing a conclusion

b.b. Forming a hypothesisForming a hypothesis

c.c. Making an observationMaking an observation

d.d. Asking a questionAsking a question

4.4. A hypothesis is an idea that you A hypothesis is an idea that you cancan

a.a. ObserveObserve

b.b. StudyStudy

c.c. TestTest

d.d. SeeSee

55 A variable is something thatA variable is something that

a.a. MovesMoves

b.b. ChangesChanges

c.c. RestsRests

d.d. Cannot be measuredCannot be measured

6. What are data?6. What are data?

a.a. Pieces of informationPieces of information

b.b. Types of experimentsTypes of experiments

c.c. Methods for recording dataMethods for recording data

d.d. VariablesVariables

7.You plan an experiment to test which type 7.You plan an experiment to test which type of toy car travels the longest? What should of toy car travels the longest? What should

be the variable you change?be the variable you change?

a.a. The kind of toy car that you are testingThe kind of toy car that you are testing

b.b. The type of surface that the car rolls overThe type of surface that the car rolls over

c.c. How much force you use when you push How much force you use when you push the carthe car

d.d. The air temperature on the day of the The air temperature on the day of the testtest

8. Pieces of information that are 8. Pieces of information that are collected in a scientific study arecollected in a scientific study are

a.a. ConclusionsConclusions

b.b. TablesTables

c.c. GraphsGraphs

d.d. DataData

9. Which is NOT a form of data?9. Which is NOT a form of data?

a.a. MeasurementsMeasurements

b.b. Something you seeSomething you see

c.c. A conclusionA conclusion

d.d. Something you hearSomething you hear

10.10. A graph is a way toA graph is a way to

a.a. Collect dataCollect data

b.b. Correct dataCorrect data

c.c. Display data Display data

d.d. Measure dataMeasure data

11. Which is the BEST way to 11. Which is the BEST way to record measurement?record measurement?

a.a. In a tableIn a table

b.b. In a drawingIn a drawing

c.c. In a graphIn a graph

d.d. In your memoryIn your memory