The The Scientific Scientific MethodMethod

♫♫A Way to Solve a A Way to Solve a ProblemProblem♫♫

The The Scientific Scientific MethodMethod

♫♫A Way to Solve a A Way to Solve a ProblemProblem♫♫

• Know how to use mathematical analysis, scientific inquiry, and engineering design, as appropriate, to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions.

• Use the scientific method to solve a problem.

• Develop a hypothesis.• Identify the control, independent variable,

and dependent variable in an experiment.• Organize and interpret data and recognize

patterns or trends.• Understand the difference between an

observation and an inference.• Develop a conclusion based on the data

obtained during the experiment.

Vocabulary• Conclusion: summary of results at

the end of an experiment• Constants: factors that are kept

the same during an experiment• Control: the experiment

performed without the variable for comparison

• Data: information recorded during an experiment

• Dependent Variable: (Responding Variable) the factor that changes and you can not control during an experiment (how you measure your results)

Vocabulary• Hypothesis: an educated guess to

answer a problem• Independent Variable: (Manipulated

Variable) the factor that you control and change during an experiment

• Inference: making a prediction based on observations and data

• Observation: anything obtained using your senses

• Scientific Method: a systematic (step by step) approach to problem solving

• Variable: factor you are testing in an experiment

Scientific Method• Systematic approach to ___________ _______________

• It is the steps someone takes to identify a question, develop a hypothesis, design and carry out steps or procedures to test the hypothesis, and document observations and findings to share with someone else.

The Scientific Method (Lyrical Life Science) audio clip

problemsolving

1. Problem (Question)

• Stated as a clear question• What you want to find out

2. Research

• Gather information about the problem

• Use books, internet, past experiences and experts in the field

3. Formulate a Hypothesis

• An educated guess to answer the problem

• Based on research• Use the correct format starting

with “I hypothesize”

4. Design an Experiment

• Step by step procedure to test the hypothesis

• Needs a control group for comparison and an experimental group to be tested

5. Record Data

• Write down all observations and measurements taken throughout the experiment

6. Analyze Data

• Organize data into charts and graphs

• Look for patterns and trends

7. State a Conclusion

• Summarize the results

•Repeat the experiment for __________________ resultsaccurate

Scientists share their experiments and findings with others.

• Because they share their experiments and findings, scientists can learn from each other and often use someone else’s experiences to help them with what they are studying or doing.

Hypothesis

1. Start with “I _______________”2. ______________ the problem3. Answer the _____________4. Explain ______ you believe this is

the answer• I hypothesize if (restate the

question) then (your educated guess), because (why this couldbe the answer).

hypothesize

Restate

problem

why

Practice Writing a Hypothesis

1. What will happen if plants are given fertilizer?

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

2. What will happen if a plant does not receive sunlight?

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

I hypothesize if plants are given

fertilizer then they will grow taller

because fertilizer contains nutrients.I hypothesize if plants do not receive

sunlight then they will die because

sunlight gives the plant energy needed.

Practice Writing a Hypothesis

3. What will happen if I put a glass over a lit candle?

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

4. What will happen if you only eat fast fried food?

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

I hypothesize if I put a glass over a

lit candle then the flame will go out

because fire needs oxygen.

I hypothesize if you only eat fast

fried food then you will gain weight

because fried food has a lot of calories.

1. Independent Variable

• Also called the __________________

variable

• Factor being _________________

• Can only have ______ per

experiment, otherwise you do not

know which factor caused your

results

• Factor that you ________________

manipulated

tested

one

control

2. Dependent Variable

• Also called the __________________

variable

• Depends on the independent

variable (factor you measure to

determine the affect of the

independent variable)

• Factor that you _______ control

responding

can’t

Variables

Control1. Experiment run without the

____________

2. Needed for _____________________

variable

comparison

Constants or Controls1. Factors held the __________ during the

experiment2. Example: If you were to see the

affects of sunlight on plants (diagram above), each plant would:

•Be the _________ type

•Receive the same amount of ______________

•Have the same type of _____________

•Receive the same amount of ______________

•Be kept at the same temperature

same

same

fertilizer

soil

water

Facts, Theories, and Laws

• Fact - basic _____________

• Theory - most logical explanation

based on _____________________ of many

experiments, they can change as new

information is obtained

• Law - based on experimental ___________

that has been repeatedly tested and

accepted as true, can change

truth

observations

data

Smithers thinks that a special juice will increase the productivity of workers. He creates two groups of 50 workers each and assigns each group the same task (in this case, they're supposed to staple a set of papers). Group A is given the special juice to drink while they work. Group B is not given the special juice. After an hour, Smithers counts how many stacks of papers each group has made. Group A made 1,587 stacks, Group B made 2,113 stacks.

Identify the:1. Control Group 

2. Independent Variable 

3. Dependent Variable 

4. What should Smithers' conclusion be?

Group B without the juice

Special Juice

Productivity – number of stapled papers

The juice did not work it actually slowed the workers.

Homer notices that his shower is covered in a strange green slime. His friend Barney tells him that coconut juice will get rid of the green slime. Homer decides to check this this out by spraying half of the shower with coconut juice. He sprays the other half of the shower with water. After 3 days of "treatment" there is no change in the appearance of the green slime on either side of the shower.

Identify the:5. Control Group 

6. Independent Variable 

7. Dependent Variable 

8. What should Homer’s conclusion be?

Shower sprayed with water

Coconut Juice

Amount of Green Slime

Coconut juice doesn’t clean green slime any better than water.

Krusty was told that a certain itching powder was the newest best thing on the market, it even claims to cause 50% longer lasting itches. Interested in this product, he buys the itching powder and compares it to his usual product. One test subject (A) is sprinkled with the original itching powder, and another test subject (B) was sprinkled with the Experimental itching powder. Subject A reported having itches for 30 minutes. Subject B reported to have itches for 45 minutes.

Identify the:9. Control Group 

10. Independent Variable 

11. Dependent Variable 

12. Explain whether the data supports the advertisements claims about its product.

Subject A with original itching powder

New Itching Powder

Length of Itches

Yes. 30 = 15 230 + 15 = 45 minutes

Flower PowerSponge Bob loves to garden and wants to grow lots of pink flowers for his pal Sandy. He bought a special Flower Power fertilizer to see if will help plants produce more flowers. He plants two plants of the same size in separate containers with the same amount of potting soil. He places one plant in a sunny window and waters it every day with fertilized water. He places the other plant on a shelf in a closet and waters it with plain water every other day.

(1) What did Sponge Bob do wrong in this experiment? Explain.

(2) What should Sponge Bob do to test the effectiveness of Flower Power fertilizer? Write an experiment. Include the following in your experimental design:

a.) Problem:

b.) Hypothesis (as an if then statement)

Too many variables - Didn’t put both in the same location and didn’t water them both at the same times.

Will Flower Power fertilizer cause plants to produce more flowers?

I hypothesize if plants are given Flower Power fertilizer then they will produce more flowers because fertilizer contains nutrients for the plant.

Flower PowerSponge Bob loves to garden and wants to grow lots of pink flowers for his pal Sandy. He bought a special Flower Power fertilizer to see if will help plants produce more flowers. He plants two plants of the same size in separate containers with the same amount of potting soil. He places one plant in a sunny window and waters it every day with fertilized water. He places the other plant on a shelf in a closet and waters it with plain water every other day.

c.) Procedure (at least 5 good steps)

1.Get two of the same type of plants.

2.Place both plants on the same windowsill.

3.Give Plant A 5 ml of water daily.4.Give Plant B 5 ml of water with

Flower Power fertilizer daily.5.Record the number of flowers on

each plant weekly.

Sponge Bob Clean PantsSponge Bob noticed that his favorite pants were not as clean as they used to be. His friend Sandy told him that he should try using Clean-O detergent, a new laundry soap she found at Sail-Mart. Sponge Bob made sure to wash one pair of pants in plain water and another pair in water with the Clean-O detergent. After washing both pairs of pants a total of three times, the pants washed in Clean-O detergent did not appear to be any cleaner than the pants washed in plain water.

(3) What was the problem Sponge Bob wanted to investigate?

(4) What is the independent variable?

(5) What is the dependent variable?  (6) What should Sponge Bob’s conclusion be?

Does Clean-O detergent clean clothes better than water?

Clean-O Detergent

How clean the pants are

Clean-O detergent doesn’t clean any better than water.

Super SnailsGary is not the smartest snail in Bikini Bottom and believes he can improve his brain power by eating Super Snail Snacks. In order to test this hypothesis, he recruits Sponge Bob and several snail friends to help him with the experiment. The snails ate one snack with each meal every day for three weeks. Sponge Bob created a test and gave it to the snails before they started eating the snacks as well as after three weeks. Analyze the data in the chart and determine whether or not the Super Snail Snacks create smarter snails!

(7) Based on the data provided, do the Super Snail Snacks work? Explain your answer.

(8) What is the independent variable?

(9) What is the dependent variable?

No, because there wasn’t a big improvement for all.

Super Snail Snacks

Brain Power – Test Scores

Krusty Krab’s Breath MintsMr. Krabs created a secret ingredient for a breath mint that he thinks will “cure” the bad breath people get from eating crabby patties at the Krusty Krab. He asked 100 customers with a history of bad breath to try his new breath mint. He had 50 customers (Group A) eat a breath mint after they finished eating a crabby patty. The other 50 (Group B) also received a breath mint after they finished the sandwich, however it was just a regular breath mint and did not have the secret ingredient. Both groups were told that they were getting the breath mint that would cure their bad breath. Two hours after eating the crabby patties, thirty customers in Group A and ten customers in Group B reported having better breath than they normally had after eating crabby patties.

(10) Which people are in the control Group?  (11) What is the independent variable?

(12) What is the dependent variable?

Group B with the regular breath mint

Secret Ingredient Breath Mint

Smell of their breath

Krusty Krab’s Breath MintsMr. Krabs created a secret ingredient for a breath mint that he thinks will “cure” the bad breath people get from eating crabby patties at the Krusty Krab. He asked 100 customers with a history of bad breath to try his new breath mint. He had 50 customers (Group A) eat a breath mint after they finished eating a crabby patty. The other 50 (Group B) also received a breath mint after they finished the sandwich, however it was just a regular breath mint and did not have the secret ingredient. Both groups were told that they were getting the breath mint that would cure their bad breath. Two hours after eating the crabby patties, thirty customers in Group A and ten customers in Group B reported having better breath than they normally had after eating crabby patties.

(13) What should Mr. Krab’s conclusion be?   (14) Why do you think 10 people in Group B reported fresher breath?

The secret ingredient breath mint cures bad breath better than regular breath mints.

They may have thought their breath was better when it may not have been because they thought they were also getting the secret ingredient mint.

Squidward’s SymphonySquidward loves playing his clarinet and believes it attracts more jellyfish than any other instrument he has played. In order to test his hypothesis, Squidward played a song on his clarinet for a total of 5 minutes and counted the number of jellyfish he saw in his front yard. He played the song for a total of 3 times on his clarinet and repeated the experiment using a flute and a guitar. He also recorded the number of jellyfish he observed when he was not playing an instrument. The results are shown in the chart.

(15) What is the independent variable?  (16) What is the dependent variable?

(17) What should Squiward’s conclusion be?

(18)Are the results reliable? Why or why not?

Musical Instruments

Number of Jellyfish

Avg. 3 12 7 12

Both the guitar and clarinet attract the most jellyfish.Yes because the experiment was repeated a few times.

Super BubblesPatrick and Sponge Bob love to blow bubbles! Patrick found some Super Bubble Soap at Sail-Mart. The ads claim that Super Bubble Soap will produce bubbles that are twice as big as bubbles made with regular bubble soap. Patrick and Sponge Bob made up two samples of bubble solution. One sample was made with 5 oz. Of Super Bubble Soap and 5 oz. Of water, while the other was made with the same amount of water and 5 oz. Of regular bubble soap. Patrick and Sponge Bob used their favorite bubble wands to blow 10 different bubbles and did their best to measure the diameter of each one. The results are shown in the chart.

(19) What did the Super Bubble ads claim?

(20) What is the independent variable?  (21) What is the dependent variable?

Super Bubble Soap will produce bubbles twice as big as regular bubble soap

Super Bubble Soap

Size of the Bubbles - Diameter of the Bubbles

(22) Look at the results in the chart.

a)Calculate the average diameter for each bubble solution.

Super Bubble= ___________cm

Regular Soap= ___________cm

b) What should their conclusion be?

(23)Are the results reliable? Why or why not?

15.1

11.5

Super Bubble Soap produces bigger bubbles but not twice as big as regular soap.

11.5 x2____23.0

Yes because the experiment was repeated a multiple times.

6th Grade Review Material• Volume

1. Amount of space an object takes up2. Measured with a graduated cylinder or

ruler3. Units: liters, ml, or cm3

• Mass1. Amount of matter in an object2. Measured with a triple beam balance3. Units: grams

• Density1. Amount of mass per volume2. Used to identify an unknown substance3. Units: g/ml or g/cm3

4. Less dense objects float and more dense sink