The Scientific Method The scientific method is an

The Scientific Method The scientific method is an organized way to solve a problem I will list the steps of the scientific method. I can determine the validity of claims using the scientific method.

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Intro to the Scientific Method • We use the scientific method EVERY DAY! • We follow a series of steps to carry out the scientific method. Observation Conclusion Question Hypothesis Results Procedure I will list the steps of the scientific method. I can determine the validity of claims using the scientific method.

Steps of the Scientific Method 1. State the problem • Formulate a question that needs to be answered, based on OBSERVATIONS, not INFERENCES. O: 45 birds are dead. I: Pollution killed these birds. I will list the steps of the scientific method. I can determine the validity of claims using the scientific method.

Steps of the Scientific Method 2. Propose a hypothesis • A hypothesis is an educated guess about what the solution to the problem is. • We typically use an “if…then…” statement. If I do this… Then this will happen… If there is an excess of pollution, then animals will die.

Steps of the Scientific Method 3. Test the hypothesis – write a procedure. • Testing is done through experimentation. All experiments should contain a variable or a condition which can be changed. Experiments also include a control in which no change is made. The control serves as the reference. Hypothesis: If I add Miracle Grow, then my plants will grow faster. VARIABLE CONTROL Water Plant A Miracle Grow Plant B

Steps of the Scientific Method • There are two main types of variables. • Independent variable – the variable you CHANGE • Dependent variable – the variable you MEASURE WE NEED CONSTANTS TO KNOW IF THE VARIABLE WORKS. - Ex: soil type, amount of light, etc Plant A Plant B

Steps of the Scientific Method • When testing your hypothesis, be sure to write out a detailed procedure of how your experiment will go. Procedure: - Step 1: Get two plants of same size, label them Plant A & B Step 2: Expose plants to same conditions Step 3: Add 50 m. L of water to plant A each day Step 4: Add 50 m. L of Miracle Grow to plant B each day I will list the steps of the scientific method. I can determine the validity of claims using the scientific method.

Steps of the Scientific Method 4. Observations and data. • The results of the experiment are recorded as data. We put these results in a data table. To determine data, observations are made with our senses and instruments Test Tube Color Change Occured Did Not Occur a x b x c x d x I will list the steps of the scientific method. I can determine the validity of claims using the scientific method.

Steps of the Scientific Method DEPENDENT • Data can also be represented on a GRAPH - Dependent variable goes on Y axis - Independent variable goes on X axis INDEPENDENT

Steps of the Scientific Method 5. Analysis & Conclusions • The data from the experiment needs to be looked at and analyzed. After this is done, a conclusion or answer to the problem I will list the steps of the scientific method. I can determine the validity of claims using the scientific method.

Steps of the Scientific Method 6. Report & Repeat • Conclusions must be reported so that other scientists can repeat the experiments. Video – This scientific method won’t be repeated

How to Increase Validity • How can you ensure that your experiment is valid? • Run multiple trials • Test more subjects Pete and Repeat are in a boat. Pete falls out. Who’s left? I will list the steps of the scientific method. I can determine the validity of claims using the scientific method.

Laws & Theories When a hypothesis has been put through the steps over and over again, yielding the same result with no exceptions, it may become scientific theory (ex. Theory of Evolution, Theory of Relativity) The Pen is Red Video I will list the steps of the scientific method. I can determine the validity of claims using the scientific method.

Laws & Theories A scientific law generalizes a body of observations. There are no exceptions to a law. Scientific laws explain things, but they do not describe them. A law “just is”. (ex. Law of Gravity)

Examples • Problem #1 – Observation: You notice people who take off their shoes during tests achieve higher grades. – – What would a hypothesis be? How would you test this? What is the independent variable? What is the dependent variable? I will list the steps of the scientific method. I can determine the validity of claims using the scientific method.

Examples • Problem #2 – Observation: You notice that people who own pets tend to be happier. – – – What would a hypothesis be? How would you test this? What is the independent variable? What is the control? I will list the steps of the scientific method. I can determine the validity of claims using the scientific method.

Examples • Problem #3 – Observation: You notice that people tend to pass more gas after eating high protein diets. – – – What would a hypothesis be? How would you test this? What is the independent variable? What is the control? I will list the steps of the scientific method. I can determine the validity of claims using the scientific method.