What is SCIENCE A way to answer questions

What is SCIENCE? A way to answer questions & solve problems How we understand the world around us A way or process used to investigate what is happening around you It provides possible b

The scientific method/ Experimental Design • A way to solve a problem

What’s the problem anyway? • Identify what you want to investigate

Form a Hypothesis What do you think your experiment will show

HYPOTHESIS A statement that can be tested by conducting an experiment Prior knowledge, new information, observations can be used to form a hypothesis IF…THEN…BECAUSE

Research the problem Learn more about your subject

Design an experiment to test your hypothesis Write step by step procedures describing how to test your hypothesis Gather all materials you will need

Record your data Data Tables A way to record results and observations accurately Have a descriptive title Divided into columns & rows

Title Describing the Data Trial 1 2 3 4 5 Average Variable 1 Variable 2 Variable 3

Analyzing the data Reduce the data Do something to make the amount of data smaller Graph the data Lets us see trends, patterns, relationships, comparisons Bar graphs Let us compare data Line graphs Lets us see trends or changes

State a conclusion Was your hypothesis supported?

Conclusions How we sum up the investigation? Does the data support the hypothesis? If it does – we accept the hypothesis If it does not – we reject the hypothesis Always back up what you say with data Evidence Discuss issues or problems with the investigation Discuss the importance or relevance of the investigation

How do scientists COMMUNICATE the results of their work? Finding out something new doesn’t do anyone any good unless the new knowledge is shared Reported in scientific journals Science journals Presentations to other scientists

What are three types of variables? Independent variables Dependent variables Controlled variables Also called constants

Independent variables are… What is being tested What is purposely changed by you The difference between the groups The ‘cause’ of a change

Dependent variables are… What is observed What is measured The data The ‘effect’ caused by the independent variable This changes as a result of you changing the independent variable

Controlled variables are… Things that could change, but don’t Kept constant by the scientist Allow for a fair test

For example… How does the temperature of ocean water affect the speed of a hurricane? Independent variable Temperature of ocean water Dependent variable Speed of a hurricane