UNIT 1 – USING THESCIENTIFIC METHODExploration Sciencehttp://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_scientific_method.shtml?from=Blog#overviewofthescientificmethod

Scientific Method VS. Engineering Design

Science is the process of learning about and understanding the natural world. Science asks questions, tests, and develops theories about the natural world works.

Scientific Method:

Organized process of asking and answering scientific questions. Usually involves making observations and doing experiments.

Engineering uses scientific theories to solve problems. Uses and applies science to develop new technologies and inventions.

Engineering Design

Organized process of solving a problem. Usually involves designing and testing a product which meets certain standards.

Scientific Method vs Engineering Design

1. Question

2. Research

3. Hypothesis

4. Experiment

5. Collect/analyze data

6. Conclusion

7. Share results

1. Problem

2. Research/brainstorm

3. Design

4. Build

5. Test devise

6. Evaluate

7. Share resultsIn this unit, we will focus on understanding and using the scientific method

STEP 1 - QUESTIONWhat makes a question scientific?

How do you write a scientific question?

QUESTION

• Scientific method begins by asking a question about something you OBSERVED.• When you OBSERVE something unfamiliar or makes you

wonder… How? or What? • Scientific method requires curiosity• Try to list multiple questions, then decide on one.

• Question must be TESTABLE• Must be able to gather data or make observations (evidence)• Research topics are NOT testable questions – testable

questions lead to investigations.

• http://www.slideshare.net/emteacher/science-questions

EXAMPLES

NOT TESTABLE:• Why is pink the best color?• What are the planets in the solar system?• Which flowers are prettier, daisies or roses?• Do cats make better pets than dogs?

TESTABLE• Does Pepsi have more carbonation than Coke?• What is the effect of cigarette smoke on lung cancer?• Does getting chilled cause colds?• Can you get warts from handling toads?

• http://www.slideshare.net/emteacher/science-questions

• http://www.slideshare.net/emteacher/science-questions

Your Turn!

• With your shoulder partner, write 1 scientific question and 1 non-scientific question.

STEP 2 - RESEARCHWhy is research an important step?

RESEARCH

• Use credible sources to learn more about the subject.• Key scientific principles involved• What is already know about the topic

• Then use what you learn to write your hypothesis and plan the experiment.• Hypothesis are called educated guess – key word is

educated because they are based on facts• Always cite sources used

STEP 3 - HYPOTHESISHow do you write a good hypothesis?

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/blog/2010/02/a-strong-hypothesis.php

HYPOTHESIS

• Educated and Testable prediction about what will happen.• Use what you learned from your research to write a logic

hypothesis.• Make sure you have access to the supplies to test your

hypothesis.• Make sure you can measure or observe the outcome.

• Cause and effect relationship between two factors• INDEPENDNT VARIABLE (IV)• DEPENDENT VARIABLE (DV)• If __IV__ [I do this], then ___DV__ [this will happen]

HYPOTHESIS-VARIABLES

Prior to writing your hypothesis, make sure you identify the variables first! That helps you write a clear and specific hypothesis.• Independent Variable (IV) is the factor you are testing –

you purposely change• Dependent Variable (DV) is the factor that changes as a

result – outcome you measure • Constants (controlled variables) is keeping all other

factors the same – DO NOT CHANGE

They hypothesis clearly states what you are changing (IV) and the outcome you predict will result (DV).

STEP 4 –EXPERIMENT

EXPERIMENT

• EXPERIMENTAL GROUP• This is the group that is being tested.• Only 1 factor is tested at a time• Independent variable is tested/changed

• CONTROL GROUP• This is the group that is NOT tested.• Independent variable is NOT changed• This group is compared to experimental group

EXPERIMENT

EXPERIMENTAL GROUP• Plants that receive

light.

CONTROL GROUP• Plants that receive

NO light.

What is the effect of light on plant growth?

STEP 5 – COLLECT AND ANALYZE DATA

COLLECT DATA

• Organize results in data table.• Conduct multiple trials and calculate averages

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average

1.

2.

3.

4.

ANALYZE DATA

• Graphing makes data easier to understand.

• Helps to identify relationship between variables (independent and dependent).

STEP 6 - CONCLUSIONS

CONCLUSION

• Summarize your experiment AND explain if the data supports the hypothesis or not.• Identify possible errors and ways to

improve experiment.

STEP 7 – SHARE RESULTSHow do you write a good lab report?