The Scientific Method By Mrs Venn Adapted from

The Scientific Method By Mrs. Venn Adapted from Mindy Semple’s presentation: “Integrating the Scientific Method and the Science Fair”

1) Ask a testable question. I wonder… Learn more

2) Form a hypothesis. If ____, then ____. Learn more

3) Plan the procedure and gather materials. I’ll try… Learn more

4) Conduct an investigation to gather data. I do… Learn more

5) Record and interpret data. I see… Learn more

6) Write a conclusion. I learned… Learn more

Testable questions NOT based on someone’s opinion NOT answerable just by research NOT so broad that there are more than one answer Let’s try it! Go to the next step

Hypotheses A prediction based on research (educated guess) to answer your testable question You can think about the hypothesis in two ways: n n If __(this happens) (IV)__, then __(this will happen) (DV)__. If… (IV and opinion), then (DV and your opinion). You will need to know the parts of the investigation in order to do this! Go to the next step

Procedure Materials list – list EVERYTHING you’ll need Steps in the investigation: n n n Be very specific – act like the directions are for a 1 st grader Number the steps Write in imperative sentences (action verbs) Let’s try it! – Go to the next step

Investigation An investigation is an experiment In an investigation, there are different types of variables – things that can change or be changed: n n n Independent (IV) – what “I” change Dependant (DV) – what changes on its own – we measure it Constant Condition (CC) – things that we keep the same to make it a fair test

Independent Variable The change in the investigation that affects its results IV - What “I” change What we are testing Let’s try it! –

Dependent Variable How we measure the change It changes because of the independent variable Let’s try it! – Heart rate investigation

Constant Variables Things you keep the same in all groups Ensures a fair test Let’s try it! – Go to the next step

Data Qualitative data n Observations using your 5 senses Quantitative data n Numerical data Display your data on: Data tables Graphs

Data Tables - Organized graphic to display results Which Liquid Dissolves the Candy Fastest? Liquid Vinegar Time Observations 29 mn Smells funny, red, moving, Water 32 mn Hand soap 33 mn Sprite 30 mn bubbles, floaties Floaties, red swirls Looks stiff, cloudy color, red in blobs Bubbly, red swirls, smells sweet

Bar graphs Compares two or more things Which Liquid Dissolves the Candy Fastest? V W HS S

Line graphs Change over time What happens to the temperature of water when ice is added? Go to the next step Let’s try it! –

Conclusion statement n n What happened? (Data) Was your hypothesis supported? Inference statement n Explains why you think the experiment went the way it did. Let’s try it! – Start over

Teacher’s Materials Notes pages Investigations Other assignments