Science

Science and the Scientific Method

Poll

What is the Scientific method?

• series of questions that must be completed in order

• Series of questions that can be completed in any order

Scientific Method is:

• A series of steps used by scientists to solve a problem or answer a question. 

Steps of the Scientific Method

The Steps to the Scientific Method

1.Observation / Asking a Question

2.Form a Hypothesis

3.Design a Controlled Experiment

4.Record and Analyze Results

5.Draw Conclusions

Step 1

Observation / Asking a Question

A problem or a question must first be identified. 

Examples: How much water can a root hair absorb? Why does a plant stem bend toward the light? What effect does temperature have on heart rate?

Step 2

Form a Hypothesis

Hypothesis: A possible explanation to the question or problem. It is simply a prediction and has not yet been proven or disproven. 

It must be stated in a way that is testable. A statement is considered “testable” if evidence can be collected that either does or does not support it.

Step 3

Plan

Write down the steps for conducting th experiment. Factors in an experiment that can be changed are called variables.

In a “controlled experiment” only one variable is changed at a time.

Step 4

Experiment

Conduct the experiment several times.

In a “controlled experiment” only one variable is changed at a time.

Step 5

Record

Record the data from each experiment.

Step 6

Conclusion

Evidence from the experiment is used to determine if the hypothesis is proven or disproven.