Scientific MethodLesson 2

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Scientist _________________________________

Do Now

• Put the following on the folder.– First and last name– Science – Period 9

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Do Now

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKoB0MHVBvM

• In one sentence, summarize the video.• What idea is being put forth in the video?• If you could ask the two Scientist a question,

What would it be?

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Essential Question• How can the scientific method be used to answer

testable questions? __________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4

Vocabulary

• Scientific method• testable question• non-testable question• hypothesis• variable• control group

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Pretest: • What are the steps to the scientific method.• List them below.

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Steps of the Scientific Method

1. State the problem in the form of a testable question.

2. Research and gather information.3. Form a hypothesis.4. Perform an experiment.5. Collect and analyze data.6. Draw conclusions.

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Do Now

On the line paper you were given at the door, Respond to the following

•If you could do a science experiment of your own, what would it be?

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What is the scientific method?

1. It is a simple method scientists use to conduct an investigation.

2. It is a way to ask & answer scientific questions by asking questions & conducting experiments.

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1. Question/Problem

1. State the problem in the form of a testable question.

2. Ask a question about something observed.– Why?– How?– What?

3. Develop a question that is measurable or that can be tested.

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What is a “Testable Question?”1. A testable question is one that can be answerer by

designing and conducting an experiment.

2. Testable questions are always about changing one thing to see what the effect is on another thing.

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Testable Question Formats• Does changing _______ affect _______?

• How does changing _____ affect _____?

• If I change ______ will it affect ______?

independentvariable

independentvariable

independentvariable

dependentvariable

dependentvariable

dependentvariable

Variables1. A variable is something that can CHANGE.

2. Independent Variable: The variable that will changed by you- the scientist. A good experiment only has one independent variable.

3. Dependent Variable: The variable that is being measured in your experiment. The effect or outcome to the change you make using the independent variable.

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Example: Does changing the height of the ramp affect the speed of the car going down the ramp?

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What is the independent variable?

Does changing the height of the ramp affect the speed of the car going down the ramp?

What is the dependent variable?

Does changing the height of the ramp affect the speed of the car going down the ramp?

Another Testable Question

• Does changing the amount of light affect the growth rate of plants?

Identify the INDEPENDENT variable

Identify the DEPENDENT variable

Amount of lightGrowth rate

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Is this a Testable Question? Why or Why not?What makes plants grow best?

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How to Turn a General Question into a Testable Question

1. Think of a cause and an effect related to your question.2. In this case, the idea is that you can change something to

affect something about how a plant grows.3. Controls are all the factors in your experiment that you want to remain constant.

“What is the effect of soil type on plant height?”

Controls for the plant experiment:type of plantgrowing conditions (sunlight, temperature, etc.)amount of watertype of container

2. Research/Gather Information

1. Make observations. 2. Find out as much as you can about the topic.

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3. Hypothesis

1. Educated guess about how things work.2. Prediction that can be tested in an

experiment.3. Use If, then statements– If ____ [I do this], then _____ [this will happen]

IMPORTANT- Focus on one variable only.

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4. Experiment

1. A carefully designed procedure to test your hypothesis.

2. Change only one variable at a time.3. Use a control or control group. One group must

not be changed.4. In order for results to be valid, conduct several

tests.5. Carefully collect observations and record your

data in a data table.

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4. Experiment • Data table.

– Numerical (quantitative) data organized in rows and columns – The specific independent variables are listed – The number of trials are listed – Blanks are left for the data (dependent variable) to be filled in

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Trial Variable 1 Variable 2 Variable 3

1

2

3

4

5

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AVERAGE

5. Collect and Analyze Data

1. What can your data tell you?2. Create graphs or charts

a. Graph the data to look for trends & relationships.

3. Use the average and the mean to compare data between two groups.

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6. Conclusion

1. Summary of your experiment.2. Use your data analysis to decide if your

observations either support or do not support your hypothesis.

3. If your data does not support your hypothesis, give possible reasons to explain this.

4. How could you redesign your experiment with what you have learned? How could you improve your experiment?

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Discuss

• With a shoulder partner, discuss why scientists use the scientific method.

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Scientific Method Song

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8427L0Wry0

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Scientific MethodImportant Ideas1.

2.

3.

Why are these ideas important?

1.

2.

3.

Which idea is relevant for today? Which idea (from above) interests you the most and why?

Partner Work

• Bikini Bottom ExperimentBikinibttmlab studentpkt-1.pdf

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Performance TaskYou have just been hired by DSL Digital Poster Company to design and create a Digital Poster for the scientific method. Your Digital Poster must include certain components outlined by the company’s CEO, CEO Lantzy. Using the online program Glogster, you will be able to showcase your poster making talents and demonstrate your understanding of the scientific method.

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Glogster

• Glogster: Create and Explore Educational Content Online

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Digital Poster Rubric

• Digital Poster Rubric.docx

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Summarization ActivityIN YOUR OWN WORD

• Describe to a neighbor in your own words how the scientific method can be used to answer a testable question. Write a summary or your discussion below.

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__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Scientific Method Quiz

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