Physical Science Pitsco Science The focus of this stage will be the recognition, development, and revision of valid hypotheses. A hypothesis (plural:

Physical SciencePitsco Science

• The focus of this stage will be the recognition, development, and revision of valid hypotheses.

• A hypothesis (plural: hypotheses) is a possible, testable explanation of a problem.


• Here is the question: Which line is longer, the red line or the blue line?


• In your journal, state a hypothesis to answer this question.


• For a hypothesis to be valid, it must meet three criteria.– It must be possible.– It must be testable.– It must explain the problem you wish to address.


• For a hypothesis to be valid, it must be possible.– Problem: Which line is longer, the red line or the

blue line?– Impossible hypothesis: The red line is longer when

viewed while standing on your head.– Valid hypothesis: The blue line is longer.

• Is the hypothesis you posed possible? If not, revise it now.


• For a hypothesis to be valid, it must be testable.– Problem: Which line is longer, the red line or the

blue line?– Non-testable hypothesis: The blue line is short.– Valid hypothesis: The red line is not as long as the

blue line.• Is the hypothesis you posed testable? If not,

revise it now.


• For a hypothesis to be valid, it must explain the problem you wish to address.– Problem: Which line is longer, the red line or the

blue line?– Irrelevant hypothesis: The red line separates the

wall and the floor.– Valid hypothesis: The blue line is longer.

• Does the hypothesis you proposed explain the problem? If not, revise it now.


• Get with your Blended Team members.• Test your hypothesis.• Find the picture of the rug and room on page

40 in your journal.• Locate the ruler in your Blended Box.


• Measure in centimeters the length of the red line.

• Record this data in your journal.


• Measure in centimeters the length of the blue line.

• Record this data in your journal.


• Which line is longer, the red line or the blue line?

• Did the data that you just collected support your hypothesis or fail to support your hypothesis?

• Record the answer in your journal.


• There were many possible solutions to the question, “Which line is longer, the red line or the blue line?”– The red line is longer.– The blue line is longer.– Both lines are the same length.


• The picture of the rug in the room is an optical illusion.

• In this case, your initial reaction was most likely that the red line was longer.

• When you tested this hypothesis by measuring the length of the lines, you discovered that both lines are the same length.


• If your hypothesis was “wrong,” does that make you a bad scientist?

• NO!• In fact, because you were able to prove that

your hypothesis was not correct makes the type of science you just performed very good.

• Science is not about being right; it is about discovering the truth.


• Clean up. • Return all materials to their proper storage

location.


• Essential Question: Why do earthquakes seem to cause higher casualties in other countries than in the US?

• Record your answer to this question in your journal.


• There are many experiments that can be conducted to help you form an answer to the Essential Question.

• On pages 3, 13, and 23 in your journal, you will find different experiments listed.

• Choose the experiment you wish to test.• Obtain your instructor’s approval for your

chosen experiment at this time.


• After your teacher has approved your choice, you may begin your experiment.

• Gather the equipment you will need to conduct your experiment from your team’s Blended Box.


• Be sure to record all data in the proper locations in your journal.


• At this point you should have completed Trial 1 of your experiment.

• You might have progressed further.• If you have not progressed to this point, you

should inform your instructor now.


• Clean up. • You will finish the experiment in the next class

period.• Return all materials to their proper storage

location.


• At this point you should have completed Trial 1 of your experiment.

• You might have progressed further.• If you have not progressed to this point, you

should inform your instructor now.


• Continue working on your experiment.


• You should be finished with your experiment at this time.

• If you are not finished, inform your instructor now.


location.


• Draw conclusions based on the data that you collected.

• Record your conclusions in your journal.


• Reasons an experiment might fail to support a hypothesis:– The hypothesis is wrong.– The experimental procedures used might not test

the hypothesis.


• With your Blended Team, address the following:– Was the hypothesis you tested supported by the

results?– If not, revise the hypothesis based on the results

of your experiment.– Record your revised hypothesis in your journal.


• With your Blended Team, address the following:– Do the procedures you have test your current

hypothesis? – If not, revise the procedures so that they test the

hypothesis you currently have.– Record your revised procedures in your journal.


• At this point you should have done at least one of the following tasks:– Revised the hypothesis you have already tested.– Revised the procedures you have already used to

test a hypothesis.• If you have not done at least one of these, you

should notify your instructor now.


• Test your current hypothesis using your current procedures.



location.


• Your Blended Team should now prepare a five-minute presentation for the class that covers the following:– What hypothesis you tested– What procedures you used– What revisions you made– What conclusions you were able to draw

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Physical Science Pitsco Science The focus of this stage will be the recognition, development, and revision of valid hypotheses. A hypothesis (plural: