Think Like a Think Like a Scientist!Scientist!

Division of Academics and TransformationDivision of Academics and TransformationMary Tweedy, Curriculum Support SpecialistMary Tweedy, Curriculum Support SpecialistKeisha Kidd, Curriculum Support SpecialistKeisha Kidd, Curriculum Support Specialist

Dr. Millard Lightburn, Instructional SupervisorDr. Millard Lightburn, Instructional Supervisor

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD The process, or steps The process, or steps

scientists use to gather scientists use to gather information and answer information and answer questions!questions!

Scientific Method Scientific Method OverviewOverview

• Make Some Casual Observations

• Do Some Background Research

• Form a Hypothesis That is Testable

• Experiment to Test Your Hypothesis

• Analyze Results & Draw Conclusions

Step 1: Ask a QuestionStep 1: Ask a QuestionWhat do you want to find out?What do you want to find out?

Identify one question thatIdentify one question that can be answered bycan be answered by performing an performing an

experiment. experiment. An experiment is a set of An experiment is a set of

steps you follow to test a steps you follow to test a hypothesis.hypothesis.

This question will be the This question will be the Problem Statement.Problem Statement.

Scientific MethodScientific Method Video & Karaoke SongVideo & Karaoke Song Study Jams – Scientific Method

Step 2: Make a Step 2: Make a Hypothesis

Look at the Problem Statement Look at the Problem Statement and identify the one factor that and identify the one factor that can be tested. This is the can be tested. This is the manipulated or independent manipulated or independent variable.variable.

Form an idea or educated Form an idea or educated prediction that can be tested by an prediction that can be tested by an experiment.experiment.

Write down your Hypothesis: “Write down your Hypothesis: “IfIf (I (I do do this) this) thenthen ( (this) this) will happenwill happen.”.”

Step 3: Step 3: Plan the Investigation Identify and record the factors that can affect Identify and record the factors that can affect

the results of the experiment under Variables.the results of the experiment under Variables.

1. Test (independent/manipulated) variable or 1. Test (independent/manipulated) variable or the the

factor that is changed in the experiment.factor that is changed in the experiment. (See previous Step 3.)(See previous Step 3.)

2. 2. Constant variables or all the factorsConstant variables or all the factors to be kept the same in the experiment. to be kept the same in the experiment. 3. Outcome (dependent/responding) variable or 3. Outcome (dependent/responding) variable or

the datathe data to be collected during the experiment. to be collected during the experiment.

4. Control Group (not found in all experiments)4. Control Group (not found in all experiments)A group that is untreated by the factor being tested that serves

as a reference for comparison to the experimental group.

Investigations to Collect Investigations to Collect Data Data SC.5.N.2.1 & SC.5.N.2.1 &

SC.5.N.2.2SC.5.N.2.2 Karaoke SongKaraoke Song http://studyjams.scholastic.com/stud

yjams/jams/science/scientific-inquiry/collect-data.htm

Step 4: Planning Step 4: Planning ContinuedContinued

Write your procedures or the steps you will Write your procedures or the steps you will follow in your experiment. follow in your experiment. Each procedure step needs to be numbered.Each procedure step needs to be numbered. Each step needs to begin with a verb.Each step needs to begin with a verb. These procedures will insure that all These procedures will insure that all

variables are kept the same (constant) or variables are kept the same (constant) or controlled except the one you are testing controlled except the one you are testing (independent). (independent).

Identify control group = what remains the Identify control group = what remains the same (no variable).same (no variable).

Figure out and collect the materials needed Figure out and collect the materials needed for the experiment.for the experiment.

Step 5: Collect, Step 5: Collect, Organize, and Display Organize, and Display

DataData Start the experiment.Start the experiment. Observe and record the quantitative data Observe and record the quantitative data

(numbers or measurements) collected (numbers or measurements) collected during the experiment on a data table.during the experiment on a data table.

Repeat the experiment three or more Repeat the experiment three or more times to confirm results.times to confirm results.

Take pictures during the experiment.Take pictures during the experiment. Graph your data from all trials. (Dry Mix)Graph your data from all trials. (Dry Mix) Display under Data.Display under Data. Restate your data in a narrative form Restate your data in a narrative form

under results.under results.

Step 6: Drawing Step 6: Drawing ConclusionsConclusions

What was investigated? (Describe the What was investigated? (Describe the problem statement.)problem statement.)

Restate your hypothesis, and tell if Restate your hypothesis, and tell if it was supported(true) or not supported it was supported(true) or not supported

(false).(false). What were the major findings? (Explain your What were the major findings? (Explain your

results.)results.) Look at everything that may have affected Look at everything that may have affected

your results. What possible explanationyour results. What possible explanation can you offer for your findings?can you offer for your findings?

Step 7: Making Step 7: Making Applications Applications

What recommendations do you have for What recommendations do you have for further study and for improving the further study and for improving the experiment?experiment?

Explain what you learned from your Explain what you learned from your experiment that could be applied in real life.experiment that could be applied in real life.

List any new question(s) that your List any new question(s) that your experiment lead you to ask that could be experiment lead you to ask that could be tested in a new investigation.tested in a new investigation.

M&M ExperimentM&M Experiment

Activity 1.5

Does the temperature of the water affect how fast the

coloredcoating dissolves from an

M&M?

Problem Statement(Question to Investigate)

HypothesisHypothesis Write your own hypothesis.Write your own hypothesis.

If ………………………, If ………………………, then………………..then………………..

MaterialsMaterials

3 Same-color M&M’s 3 Same-color M&M’s

1 White foam dessert 1 White foam dessert plates plates (with (with measurements)measurements)

Room-temperature Room-temperature waterwater

Hot water Hot water Cold water Cold water

Measuring cupMeasuring cup Centimeter rulerCentimeter ruler Bucket or large Bucket or large

bowlbowl Paper towelsPaper towels Graduated cylinderGraduated cylinder

Procedures (modified)Procedures (modified)1.1. Take the temperature of the room temperature water.Take the temperature of the room temperature water.2.2. Pour 50mL of room-temperature water into the plate.Pour 50mL of room-temperature water into the plate.3.3. With the help of your partners, place a same-colored With the help of your partners, place a same-colored

M&M in the center of the plate.M&M in the center of the plate.4. Observe for 1 minute. (stopwatch online)(stopwatch online)5.5. Measure the distance in cm the colored coating Measure the distance in cm the colored coating

traveled. (measure from the center).traveled. (measure from the center).6.6. Record your observations on the activity sheet.Record your observations on the activity sheet.7.7. Repeat steps 1-6 with the cold water, them hot water.Repeat steps 1-6 with the cold water, them hot water.8.8. Record data in chart on lab sheet.Record data in chart on lab sheet.

Have students share their observations.Have students share their observations.Ask students whether they noticed a difference in the movement of color in the Ask students whether they noticed a difference in the movement of color in the

different temperatures of water.different temperatures of water.

Share your Share your observations.observations.

Data CollectionData CollectionDistance Coating Traveled

Room Temp.

Cold Hot

Trial #1 cm cm cm

Trial #2 cm cm cm

Trial #3 cm cm cm

Trial #4 cm cm cm

Trial #5 cm cm cm

Trial #6 cm cm cm

AverageDistance Traveled

cm cm cm

ConclusionConclusion Summarize your findings.Summarize your findings. Did your results support your Did your results support your

hypothesis or not?hypothesis or not? If the experiment was to be repeated If the experiment was to be repeated

should anything be done differently?should anything be done differently?

ApplicationApplication How can this experiment be used in How can this experiment be used in

a real-world situation?a real-world situation? What scientific principles can be What scientific principles can be

used for more research?used for more research?

REVIEWREVIEW

1. Ask a Question or 1. Ask a Question or State a ProblemState a Problem

Asking WHAT? or Asking WHAT? or HOW? to HOW? to

something you something you observedobserved

2. Research your 2. Research your TopicTopic

Gather information Gather information that will help you that will help you

answer your answer your question.question.

Library, Internet, Library, Internet, Interviews, Interviews,

ExperimentsExperiments

3. State your 3. State your HYPOTHESISHYPOTHESIS

A Hypothesis is an A Hypothesis is an explanation for a question explanation for a question

that can be formally that can be formally tested.tested.

An educated guess!An educated guess!

If…then…If…then…

4. Design an 4. Design an ExperimentExperimentA A procedureprocedure is is

designed to test designed to test your Hypothesis…your Hypothesis…

Testing whether it Testing whether it is true or false.is true or false.

Must be repeatable, Must be repeatable, and easy to and easy to understandunderstand

In a well designed In a well designed Experiment, you need to Experiment, you need to

keep all variables the same keep all variables the same except oneexcept one..

TestTest/Independent/Manipulated /Independent/Manipulated VariableVariable: : (CAUSE)(CAUSE)The factor that is changed in an The factor that is changed in an experiment…it is what you are testing!experiment…it is what you are testing!

Constant/Control Variable(s)Constant/Control Variable(s)::The factor(s) that remains the same!The factor(s) that remains the same!

OutcomeOutcome/Dependent/Responding /Dependent/Responding Variable:Variable: (EFFECT) (EFFECT) The data you collectThe data you collect

5. Conduct your 5. Conduct your ExperimentExperimentPerform your experiment by Perform your experiment by

following your written procedure.following your written procedure.Be sure to follow all safety rules!Be sure to follow all safety rules!

 

6. Collect Data6. Collect DataThe observations and The observations and

measurements you make in an measurements you make in an experiment are called Data.experiment are called Data.

7. Analyze Data7. Analyze DataDid your experiment Did your experiment

support your hypothesis?support your hypothesis?

What happened during What happened during your experiment?your experiment?

Does additional research need Does additional research need to be conducted? to be conducted?

8. Conclusion8. ConclusionDoes your data and Does your data and

observations support your observations support your hypothesis?hypothesis?

““My hypothesis was My hypothesis was ((supported or not supportedsupported or not supported) )

because __________”because __________”

9. Communication9. CommunicationShare your results and data Share your results and data

with others.with others.Sources: written, spoken, Sources: written, spoken, video, TV, papers, lecture . video, TV, papers, lecture . . . . .

10. New Problem10. New ProblemForm a new question or state a Form a new question or state a New Problem on the same topic. New Problem on the same topic.

What more can you learn?What more can you learn? What do you still want to know?What do you still want to know?

Don’t Forget!!!Don’t Forget!!!

InvestigateInvestigate ApplicationApplication

ObserveObserve Explore Explore

Think Like a Scientist!Think Like a Scientist!

Scientific Method - Resources LinksScientific Method - Resources Links httphttp://

studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/scientific-inquiry/scientific-methods.htm

Experiment vocabulary http://app.discoveryeducation.com/core:glossary/?assetGuid=15b534cf-207d-46bb-a

a6a-ce75376b4541&blnAllWords=1&#/173110e1-543e-455d-be65-7761175b7f8e http://app.discoveryeducation.com/core:glossary/?assetGuid=15b534cf-207d-46bb-a

a6a-ce75376b4541&blnAllWords=1&#/173110e1-543e-455d-be65-7761175b7f8e  Control http://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/?assetGuid=ff8f973d-8699-47b6-a3f0-cce1

c5794f5d&fromMyDe=0&isPrinterFriendly=0&provider=&isLessonFromHealth=0&productcode=DSCE&isAssigned=false&includeHeader=YES&homeworkGuid=

Experiment http://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/?assetGuid=df901eaa-9a26-4d22-b589-

da77dab08a6e&fromMyDe=0&isPrinterFriendly=0&provider=&isLessonFromHealth=0&productcode=DSCE&isAssigned=false&includeHeader=YES&homeworkGuid=

http://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/view/assetGuid/DF901EAA-9A26-4D22-B589-DA77DAB08A6E

Thinking Like a Scientist http://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/?assetGuid=11d5de3c-fdb4-4ed3-8975-

99da3cbd1357&fromMyDe=0&isPrinterFriendly=0&provider=&isLessonFromHealth=0&productcode=US&isAssigned=false&includeHeader=YES&homeworkGuid=

http://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/view/assetGuid/78D4AE32-97F3-4326-835F-831CB751135F

Fundamentals of Experimental Design http://app.discoveryeducation.com/search?

Ntt=Fundamentals+of+Experimental+Design