scientific inquiry learning to think like a scientist!!!

SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY

Learning to THINK like a SCIENTIST!!!

Accurate vs. Precise

Designing an Experiment

• When you are designing an experiment, what should you start with or make before you begin?

Observation!What’s an observation?

What do we use to make them?We use our Five Senses to make an observation!

• Then a question regarding that observation is asked.

The PROBLEM QUESTION

• From there you must figure out a way to collect data that will help answer your question.

The PROBLEM QUESTION…

• Before you ask this question you must know what VARIABLES you are working with.

• Every experiment has two variables:INDEPENDENT

andDEPENDENT

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE

• This is the variable that you will be controlling (changing) in the experiment.

• This is the variable that might effect the results of the experiment.

DEPENDENT VARIABLE

• This is what you will be measuring in the experiment.

• This is the variable that gives you the data (numbers) you will be collecting.

Let’s Practice with an Airplane lab!!!

QUESTION:What is the I.V. ?What is the D.V.?• I.V. = type of modification used on

the planeBecause it is what we are controlling/changing. • D.V. = distance the plane flewBecause this is what we are measuring.

Airplane Lab

Let’s Practice…Pepper Lab

You want to grow some big peppers this summer, but you do not know which fertilizer will make them grow biggest. Last year you didn’t use any fertilizers, so this year you set up five rows of peppers. Here is what you put on each row:

1. Cow poop 2. Miracle Grow3. Nitrogen 4. Nothing 5. Compost


You want to grow some big peppers this summer, but you do not know which fertilizer will make them grow biggest. Last year you didn’t use any fertilizers, so this year you set up five rows of peppers.

QUESTION:What is the I.V. ?What is the D.V.?

ANSWER…• I.V. = The different types of fertilizerBecause it is what we are controlling/changing.

• D.V. = size of the peppersBecause this is what we are measuring.

Let’s Practice Some More…

Tea LabYou want to know if sugar will dissolve

faster in cold or hot tea.

QUESTION:What is the I.V. ?What is the D.V.?

ANSWER…• I.V. = temperature of the teaBecause it is what we are controlling/changing.

• D.V. = time it takes the sugar to dissolve.

Because this is what we are measuring.

Setting Up a Data Tables

When you make a data table:• the I.V. always goes on the LEFT• the D.V. always goes on the RIGHT

1234

20212223

The PROBLEM QUESTION…

• Now that you know what variables are, you can write the problem question for the experiment!!!

• Follow this formula:

What is the effect of the _________

on the ________?

Let’s Practice…Airplane Lab

Write the problem question for the Airplane Lab.

ANSWER: What is the effect of the different types ofmodifications on the distance the plane travels?


Write the problem question for the pepper experiment.

ANSWER: What is the effect of using cow poop

on the size of the peppers?

Let’s Practice Some More…Tea Lab

Write the problem question for the hot and cold tea experiment.

ANSWER: What is the effect of the temperature of the

tea on how much time it takes the sugar to dissolve?


• Starts with an observation.• Then a question regarding that

observation is asked. The PROBLEM QUESTION• From there you must figure out a

way to collect data that will help answer your question.

In your own words, define what you think a

hypothesis is.

Try your best to answer this question in a sentence or two.


• Next, you think about what you expect the outcome to be.

This is done BEFORE the experiment and is based on your prior knowledge of the situation. (NOT a guess!!!)

The HYPOTHESIS:An “Educated Prediction” not a guess!“I don’t care what you think, feel or believe! ”

Science is about FACTS not opinions!

The HYPOTHESIS…Follow this formula:If _________________________

Then the ___________

will _________________________

Let’s Practice Together…

Write a hypothesis for the Airplane experiment using the “variable” you chose!

ANSWER: IF I use a paper clip on my plane, Then

the distance the airplane travels will increase.

Let’s Practice…Write a hypothesis for the pepper

experiment.

ANSWER: IF the type of fertilizer is cow poop Then the size of the peppers will

increase.

Let’s Practice Some More…

Write a hypothesis for the hot and cold tea experiment.

ANSWER: If the temperature of the tea is hotThen the time it takes the sugar to

dissolve will stay the same.


Now you know how to:• Make an Observation• Determine the I.V. and the D.V.• Write a Problem Question• Write a Hypothesis

But, there’s more to understand here…

Good Afternoon!• Place you Intro RFA packets in the test bin.• Get out any extra credit work and place it

under the volleyball next to the test bin.• Pick up the Chemistry RFA packet

• Wait for further instructions.

Exam StudyingYou want to know if you will perform better on a science quiz by studying for 5, 25 or 60 mins/night, on top of your other homework. For the first quiz, you study for 5 mins/night. The next quiz, you study 25 mins/night and for the last quiz, you study the usual 60 mins/night.

• Write the I.V. & D.V. Use your notes to help you!!!

• Problem question• Hypothesis for the following scenario.

Answers• I.V. = the time you study each night• D.V. How well you perform on the quiz• What is the effect of the time I study

for my science quiz on how well I do on the science quiz?

• If I study 25 minutes a night for my quiz, then my science quiz grade will increase.

Constants and Controls• In every experiment you can only change one

variable. The rest must be held constant.• A constant is something that stays the same

throughout the lab.• What were the constant(s) in the Airplane Lab?Where you stood, used same plane, threw in same direction

• The control group is…the part of the lab that we use to compare our results to! No changes are made to the control in the lab! (Usually the original)What was the control in the Airplane Lab?

The First throw! B/c I can compare the 2 throws!

The CONTROL GROUP…

• You will collect data from this group, BUT it does not have any of the I.V.

Challenge…What is the control group in the

Pepper experiment???Answer: The row without any fertilizer!!!

Identifying Controls and Variables

Smithers thinks that a special juice will increase the productivity of workers. He creates two groups of 50 workers each and assigns each group the same task (in this case, they're supposed to staple a set of papers). Group A is given the special juice to drink while they work. Group B is not given the special juice. After an hour, Smithers counts how many stacks of papers each group has made. Group A made 1,587 stacks, Group B made 2,113 stacks.

1. Independent Variable2. Dependent Variable 3. Control Group

Answers…• I.V. which group gets the special

juice• D.V. how many stacks of papers each

group has made.• Control is Group B because they did

not get the special juice. We can compare the results to this group!

Identifying Controls and Variables

Homer notices that his shower is covered in a strange green slime. His friend Barney tells him that coconut juice will get rid of the green slime. Homer decides to check this out by spraying half of the shower with coconut juice. He sprays the other half of the shower with water as always. After 3 days of "treatment" there is no change in the amount of the green slime on either side of the shower.1. Independent Variable

2. Dependent Variable3. Control Group

Answers…• I.V. which side of the shower was

sprayed with coconut juice.• D.V. the amount of the green slime in

the shower• Control the side of the shower that

was sprayed with water.

Identifying Controls and VariablesBart believes that mice exposed to

microwaves will become extra strong (maybe he's been reading too much Radioactive Man). He decides to perform this experiment by placing 10 mice in a microwave for 10 seconds. He compared these 10 mice to another 10 mice that had not been exposed. His test consisted of a heavy block of wood that blocked the mouse food. He found that 8 out of 10 of the microwaved mice were able to push the block away. 7 out of 10 of the non-microwaved mice were able to do the same.

1. Independent Variable2. Dependent Variable3. Control Group

Answers…• I.V. Which mice were microwaved or

not.• D.V. If they could move the heavy wood

block or not.• Control The mice that were non-

microwaved.

Experimental Design

Mission

Your White Board Mission…

For each of the following experiments write:

1. The independent variable2. The dependant variable3. A problem question4. A hypothesis 5. Control group

Breakfast Experiment #1

A study is being conducted to find out if students who eat different breakfast’s before school performs better on their test scores.

One group of students is given no breakfast as always. A second group is fed candy, and a third group is fed a healthy breakfast and a fourth group is feed only protein shakes. The students are then given a test.

Breakfast Experiment #1

1. The independent variable- The different types of breakfast consumed

2. The dependent variable- test scores3. A problem question/statement- What is the

effect of the different types of breakfast consumed by students on their test scores?

4. A hypothesis- If a student eats a healthy breakfast then their test scores will increase.

5. Control group- No breakfast

Deodorant Experiment #2 I see a commercial on T.V. that claims

this deodorant removes Michael’s bad odors better than any other. I decide to try the deodorant and see if it really works on Michael’s bad odors. For the first week I used Smell-NoMo on Michael, for the second I use Stank-B-Gone on Michael, for the third week I used Why-B-Stinkin’ on Michael and for the fourth week, unfortunately, I used nothing on Michael! 1. Independent Variable 2. Dependent

Variable3. Problem question 4. Hypothesis

5. Control Group

The Deodorant Experiment #21. The independent variable- Different types of air

freshener2. The dependent variable- the amount of odor

removed3. A problem question/statement- What is the

effect of the different types of air freshener on the amount of odor removed?

4. A hypothesis- If the air freshener used is Why-B-Stinkin then the amount of odor removed will increase.

5. Control group- No air freshener

The Sneaker Experiment #3 I see an add on the internet that claims

the latest “Got Wind” sneakers will make you run faster. I decided to test them out. I run once around the block with my old Puma sneakers and record the time. The next day, I run around the block again with my new “Got Wind” sneakers and record the time. On the 3rd day I run around with a new pair of Nike’s and record the time. The 4th day I decide to wear a new pair of Adidas and also record the time.

1. Independent Variable 2. Dependent Variable3. Problem question 4. Hypothesis

5. Control Group

The Sneaker Experiment #31. The independent variable- Different types of

sneakers2. The dependent variable- time of run around

the block3. A problem question/statement- What is the

effect of the different types of sneakers on how fast I run around the block?

4. A hypothesis- If I chose the “Got Wind” sneaker over my old sneakers, then I will run faster.

5. Control group- The Puma Sneakers

Flashback Questions• 1. Explain the difference between a control

and a constant in a lab experiment?• A constant is something that stays the same

throughout the lab.• The control group is the part of the lab that

we use to compare our results to! No changes are made to the control in the lab! (Usually the original)

• 2. Why is the control so important in a lab?• It allows us to compare the results in the lab!

Writing a conclusion to an experiment…

A conclusion is how you will share the overall results of your experiment. Every conclusion needs to have the following FOUR items…

1. The PURPOSE of the experiment2. The HYPOTHESIS 3. What the data showed (results statement)

(Use at least 2 examples) of Data (numbers) to support the results statement. Compare your results to the control in the lab!

4. If the data supported or did not support my hypothesis.

Writing a PURPOSE…

Use the formula:The purpose of the experiment was to determine the effect of the (I.V.) on the (D.V.).

Write a purpose statement for the pepper lab

The purpose of the experiment was to determine the effects of the different fertilizers on the size of the peppers.

Pepper Lab Data

My Hypothesis was if I use cow poop, then the size of the peppers will increase.

Type of fertilizer (I.V)

Cow poop

Miracle Grow

Nitrogen

Nothing

Compost

Size of Peppers (D.V.)

4 inches

1 inch

2 inches

3 inches

8 inches

Choose a fertilizer and write a hypothesis.

Pepper Conclusion Example

1.The purpose of the experiment was to determine the effects of the different fertilizers on the size of the peppers.

2. My hypothesis was if I use cow poop, then the size of the peppers will increase.

3. The data showed that as I used cow poop, the peppers increased from 3 inches with no fertilizer compared to 4 inches in size with cow poop.

4. The data did support my hypothesis.

Breakfast Lab

Type of Breakfast Test Scores

No Breakfast

Junk Food

Healthy breakfast

Protein shakes

Write a conclusion for the Breakfast Lab using this data.

I.V. types of breakfast

D.V. test scores

72%

84.3%

94.5%

91.7%

Breakfast Conclusion

The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of the different types of breakfasts on the test scores. My hypothesis was that if I eat a healthy breakfast then my test scores will increase. The data showed that with no breakfast the test scores averaged a 72%, compared with a healthy breakfast, test scores averaged a 94.5%. The data did support my hypothesis.

Deodorant Lab

Type of Deodorant

Smell-NoMo

Stank-B-Gone

Why-B-Stinkin’

Nothing

Write a conclusion for the deodorant Lab using this data.

I.V. types of deodorant

D.V. days he smelled good

Days he smelled good

4 days out of a week




Deodorant Conclusion The purpose of this experiment was to find the effect of the different types of deodorant on the amount of days he smelled good. My hypothesis was that if I use Smell-NoMo on him then his stink would decrease. The data showed that with no deodorant he smelled good zero days, compared to Smell-NoMo, where he smelled good for four days.

The data did support my hypothesis.

Flatulence Experiment

Michael Vick and Mr. Madigan wanted to see what types of food would make them the most gassy. First they tried bake beans. The next day they tried broccoli. The following day they tried cabbage. They also took data without eating any food.

Find the I.V. and D.V.Write a Hypothesis

*The DataWas your hypothesis correct?

Types of Food

No Food

Baked Beans

Broccoli

Cabbage

Amount of Flatulence

13 Flatulence

41 Flatulence

34 Flatulence

26 Flatulence

YOUR MISSION….*Homework* Write the conclusion for the Flatulence

experiment.

Every conclusion needs to have the following FOUR items…1. The PURPOSE of the experiment2. The HYPOTHESIS 3. What the data showed (results statement)

Data (numbers) to support the results statement.Remember to use two examples and compare it to the

control!4. If the data supported, did not support, or was not

clear about the hypothesis.

Flatulence Experiment

• IV- The type of food eaten• DV- The amount of Flatulence • Problem Question- What is the effect

of the type of food eaten on the amount of Flatulence ?

• Hypothesis- If the type of food eaten is baked beans then the amount of Flatulence will increase.

• Control Group- No food

Flatulence Experiment Conclusion

The purpose of this experiment was to find the effect of the different types of food eaten on the amount of Flatulence produced.

The hypothesis was that if the food eaten was baked beans that the amount of Flatulence produced would increase. The data showed that with no food the amount of Flatulence was 13, but with the use of baked beans the Flatulence increased to 41.

The data supported the hypothesis.

Flavored Dog Bone ExperimentWrite a conclusion

Type of Flavored Dog

Bone

Fish

Beef

Liver

Chicken

Lamb

Original Bone

So that I am not wasting money, I want to find out what kind of flavored bone is my dog’s favorite. I buy five different flavored bones (chicken, beef, liver, fish, and lamb) and leave out her original rawhide bone; then I keep track of the amount of time my dog spends with each flavored bone.

Time spent with bone

15 minutes

25 minutes

2 minutes

5 minutes

12minutes

10 minutes

Flavored Dog Bone Answers

1. The independent variable- Different types of flavored dog bones

2. The dependant variable- amount of time the dog spends with the flavored bone

3. A problem question- What is the effect of the different types of flavored dog bones on the amount of time the dog spends with the flavored bone?

4. A hypothesis- If the dog is given a beef flavored bone then the amount of time the dog spends with the bone will increase.

5. Control group- The original rawhide bone

*Flavored Dog Bone Experiment

The purpose of this experiment was to find out the effect of different flavors of bones on the time the dog spends with the bone. My hypothesis was if the bone is beef flavored, the amount of time the dog spends with the bone will increase. The dog spent 25 minutes with the beef flavored bone, compared to the 10 minutes the dog spent with the original bone. The data did support my hypothesis.

Softball Bat ExperimentType of Bat

used

Phat Bat

Beefy Bat

Lumber Bat

Big Boy Bat

Little Bomber Bat

Original Bat

So that I am not wasting money, I want to find out which softball bat will allow me to hit the ball farthest. I borrow 5 different bats and hit the same 10 balls to the outfield! Then I record their distances.

Distance of the ball

15 feet

25 feet

20 feet

50 feet

120 feet

35 feet

CaCl2 Experiment Conclusion

The purpose of this experiment was to find out the effect of different amounts of CaCl2 on the temperature of the water. My hypothesis was if the amount of Cacl2 is increased then the temperature of the water will increase. The data showed that the temperature did increase. At 0 scoops of CaCl2 the temperature was 20.4o Celsius. When I added one scoop it was 21.2o, 2 scoops 22.3o and the temperature continued to increase. The data supported my hypothesis.

scientific inquiry learning to think like a scientist!!!

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