STEPS of SCIENTIFIC METHOD 1 State the Problem

STEPS of SCIENTIFIC METHOD 1. State the Problem or Question What is it you want to solve? 2. Form a TESTABLE HYPOTHESIS Write an “IF. . THEN” educated guess statement you think will solve the Problem or Question 3. Design a Controlled Experiment Design an Experiment with Procedures & only 1 variable being tested at a time. 4. Collect & Analyze Results Organize Data into tables. Graph data & figure out what it means 5. Draw a Conclusion(s) State if your hypothesis is correct or incorrect & why 6. Communicate Results Communicate your experimental findings Ex) Report, Presentation

OBSERVATION vs INFERENCE An OBSERVATION involves using your senses An INFERENCE is a guess & may not be tested A HYPOTHESIS is an educated guess which can be tested Statement Object A is round and orange. Observation Inference X X Object A is a basketball. Object C is round and black and white. X Object C is larger than Object B. X Object B is smooth. X Object B is a table-tennis ball. X Each object is used in a different sport. X Make an INFERENCE as to what object A, B, & C might be Basketball Cue Ball Soccer Ball A=________ B=_______ C=_______

EXPERIMENTAL VARIABLES OBSERVATIONS: Flies land on meat that is left uncovered. Later, maggots appear on the meat. HYPOTHESIS: Flies produce maggots. PROCEDURE Uncovered jars Controlled Variables: jars, type of meat, location, temperature, time Manipulated Variables: gauze covering that keeps flies away from meat Covered jars Several days pass Responding Variable: whether maggots Maggots appear No maggots appear CONCLUSION: Maggots form only when flies come in contact with meat. Spontaneous generation of maggots did not occur.

To fix Grammy’s Grandfather Clock by speeding it up. If I increase the mass, and string length then Grammy’s Grandfather Clock will have an increased frequency (speed up) Give Quantitative amounts for all materials used. Example 6 washers Write these in numerical steps so another Sophomore could understand how to do your experiment without having ever done it. You will need 3 data tables, one for each variable being tested.

Use “cm” for your pillbugs Use book or notebook Do NOT DROWN THEM (2 -5 sec) Stop watch & known distance (1’)

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN With PILLBUGS PROCEDURE: 1. A B. (Letter A through H, Do & answer) C. D. E. F. G. H. Speed=distance/time Ex) 2 cm/sec

Things to keep in mind for the Pillbug Experiment 1. ALL forms of life deserve respect. DO NOT HARM ANY LIVING ORGANISMS. (Unless maybe its bacteria) 2. When observing living organisms make sure you DO NOT influence its behavior when trying to learn about its natural behavior. 3. Have fun with this BUT keep in mind that your behavior will determine the future of labs-Stay on task, & BEHAVE! I am always looking for someone to clean something. Labs or lack of them will affect the “Biology Fun Factor”. IF YOU SO CHOOSE: (Optional for this Lab) -you may wear safety goggles &/or lab apron CLEANUP: -Throw away used paper towels -Wash, rinse, & dry all equipment before returning it to the proper location. -Put EVERYTHING back in the specific container from which you took it. Including Pillbugs -Remember, EVERYONE helps cleanup & the lab must be clean & organized before ANYONE is dismissed from class. -Police each other, if you see someone doing something they shouldn’t, let them know about it. Also keep each other on task & focused on the job at hand.

Using the materials provided you will have to figure out a way to do or answer the Steps 1 -6 today in class. If you need other supplies for your experiment next time you must bring them. No Inappropriate Equipment can be used (ex. Knives, lighters, etc. )

6. TITLE: Our Pillbug Experiment (or Be more Creative) OBJECTIVE: (Question or Problem you want to solve) HYPOTHESIS: (your testable IF…. THEN statement) MATERIALS: (list of materials needed for your experiment) VARIABLES: MANIPULATED: (variable testing) RESPONDING: (variable being measured-try & making it quantatative) CONTROLLED: (all other factors which may affect your experiment other than the manipulated) PROCEDURES: ( Step by step numerical directions on how to do your experiment) DATA: (usually a data table to record your experimental results) CONCLUSION: (use your data to accept or reject your hypothesis & explain what your data told you about your experiment)