Scientific Method 1-2: Pgs. 12-17 9-9-15

IN: What steps of the scientific method did Cain practice using when he built his arcade?

TERMS AND OBJECTIVESTERMS AND OBJECTIVESTerms:Terms:

-scientific method-scientific method -observation --observation -hypothesishypothesis

Objectives:Objectives:

-Explain the scientific method and how scientists -Explain the scientific method and how scientists use it.use it.

-Apply the scientific method to an Earth science -Apply the scientific method to an Earth science investigation.investigation.

-Identify the importance of communicating -Identify the importance of communicating results.results.

-Describe how scientific investigations often lead -Describe how scientific investigations often lead to new investigations.to new investigations.

The First Thing We All DoThe First Thing We All Do Make an Make an observationobservation!!

– An observation is any use of at least An observation is any use of at least one of your five senses to gather one of your five senses to gather information.information.

– Example, you hear loud booming, Example, you hear loud booming, the ground is trembling, you look up.the ground is trembling, you look up.

You ask yourself, “WhatYou ask yourself, “What

is that!?!”is that!?!”

Scientific MethodScientific Method

Scientific Method Scientific Method - is a series of - is a series of steps that scientists use to steps that scientists use to answer questions and solve answer questions and solve problems.problems.– The goal is to come up with The goal is to come up with

reliable answers and solutionsreliable answers and solutions

to those questions and problems.to those questions and problems.

Look at the flowchart on the bottom of pg. 13. What do you do if your conclusions don’t match your hypothesis?

Ask a QuestionAsk a Question

Ask a question that can be answered.Ask a question that can be answered.

– What is the What is the PURPOSE?PURPOSE?– Focus on one factor!Focus on one factor!– Like wondering what Like wondering what

kind of bones they are.kind of bones they are.

Do Some ResearchDo Some Research

Research your question.Research your question.– Find out everything that is already Find out everything that is already

known about it.known about it.– No need to reinvent the wheel!No need to reinvent the wheel!

Form a HypothesisForm a Hypothesis HypothesisHypothesis - is a possible explanation or - is a possible explanation or

answer to the question.answer to the question. Write it as an “If…then” statement. Write it as an “If…then” statement.

(example “If plants are given bottled water, (example “If plants are given bottled water, then plant growth will increase.”)then plant growth will increase.”)– It must be testable.It must be testable.– Example: If the bones came from an Example: If the bones came from an

unknown dinosaur, then when compared unknown dinosaur, then when compared to others they will be different.to others they will be different.

Test your HypothesisTest your Hypothesis

This is where you do the experiment.This is where you do the experiment. Collect data from a controlled Collect data from a controlled

experiment.experiment. Test only one factor at a time.Test only one factor at a time.

– Example: measure theExample: measure the

bones and compare them bones and compare them

to known dinosaurs’ bones.to known dinosaurs’ bones.

The thing that is manipulated is The thing that is manipulated is called the variable, but the called the variable, but the

outcome changes as a result. outcome changes as a result. The Independent The Independent

Variable: (what you Variable: (what you test)test)

• This is the factor This is the factor that is manipulated that is manipulated by the scientist and by the scientist and is intended to is intended to cause an effect on cause an effect on the experiment.the experiment.

The Dependent The Dependent Variable: (the Variable: (the outcome)outcome)

• This is the factor This is the factor that changes as a that changes as a result of the result of the independent independent variable.variable.

ExampleExample

A scientist is studying how different A scientist is studying how different kinds of water affect plant growth. kinds of water affect plant growth.

The The independent variable independent variable would be would be the different types of water that are the different types of water that are used. used.

The The dependent variable dependent variable is how tall is how tall the plants become as a result of the the plants become as a result of the water.water.

Record the DataRecord the Data

The observations are accurately The observations are accurately recorded in a data table:recorded in a data table:

Length of dinosaur bonesLength of dinosaur bones

Bone Height

Femur 33.1 m

Radius 33.6 m

Ulna 34.2 m

Analyze ResultsAnalyze Results

Create tables and graphs to organize Create tables and graphs to organize your data.your data.

Draw ConclusionsDraw Conclusions

Conclude whether the results Conclude whether the results supported your supported your hypothesishypothesis..– Example: You conclude that the bones Example: You conclude that the bones

are unique in size and shape and are unique in size and shape and therefore belong to a newly discovered therefore belong to a newly discovered type of dinosaur.type of dinosaur.

Communicate ResultsCommunicate Results

Share what you have learned!Share what you have learned!

But wait…you’re not done!But wait…you’re not done!

Ask more questions! And continue your

Discoveries!

OUT: What are the basic steps to the scientific method?