Sci 5 FQ Scientific Method

Sci 5 FQ Scientific Method

What is the Scientific Method?​

​What are its steps?

Introduction

Have you ever had a question about the world around you?

Ever wondered why the sky is blue?

Why the grass is green?

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Scientists ask questions all the time. Then, they follow steps to find the answer!

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This method for finding answers to science questions is called the Scientific Method.

​The Scientific Method

​is a series of steps used by researchers to study the world around us by asking questions and or stating a problem .

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​an organized set of investigation procedures.

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​Scientists use the scientific method to investigate natural occurrences

​Scientific Method : Its Steps

1. Make an observation

2. Ask a question

3. Form a hypothesis

4. Design an experiment

5. Collect the data

6. Analyze and interpret the data

7. Draw conclusions and Communicate the findings

​First Step: Observation

​The first step of the scientific method is to make an observation. To observe something is to look at it and realize something.

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For example, you may be looking out the window and notice that all the grass on the playground is green. In the summer, you may notice that the grass turns brown. You have just made an observation.

​Second Step: Asking Questions

​The second step is to ask a question. What do you want to find out?

Maybe your question is "why does the grass turn from green to brown in the summer?"

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Your question should be something you do not already know the answer to.

​To build a good scientific question, it must

​-Start with:

How, What, When, Who, Which, Why, or Where

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​-Interesting

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​-Can be tested by some experiment or measurement

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This is an example of good scientific question

​When is the best time to plant soybeans?

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​rather than asking

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​Why is that a soybean?

Multiple Choice

Which one is a good scientific question?

• Who is the inventor of an insulator?

• Which materials is the best insulator?

Multiple Choice

Which one is a good scientific question?

• What types of fertilizer will make grass grow greener?

• Will fertilizer make grass grow greener?

Multiple Choice

Which one is a good scientific question?

• How do different types of liquids affect the freezing rate?

• Is this liquid freezing?

Multiple Select

Click the picture to magnify it.

Think and type the scientific question based on your observation on the given image.

• What causes the exposed part of an apple to change color after awhile?

• Who cut the apple?

• What is an apple?

• Why do apple slices turn brown after being cut?

Multiple Select

Click the picture to magnify it.

Think and type the scientific question based on your observation on the given image.

• How to preserve sliced apple from color change (oxidation)?

• What substances/ liquids can prevent the sliced apple to change color/ oxidize?

• What vitamins are common in an apple?

• How is apple beneficial to children?

​Based on the sample, the possible good questions are

​How to preserve sliced apple from color change (oxidation)?

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​What substances/ liquids can prevent the sliced apple to change color/ oxidize?

​Observe the plants and the light on this gif.

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Open Ended

Type your scientific question based on the gif given.

Multiple Choice

True or False:

Your science question should be something you already know the answer to.

• True

• False

​Third Step: Form a hypothesis

​The third step is to form a hypothesis.

A hypothesis is like an educated guess. What do you think the answer to your question is?

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You may want to do some research about your question before you come up with your hypothesis.

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​Third Step: Form a hypothesis

​A hypothesis is usually an "if...then" statement. For example, your hypothesis might be:

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"If there is less sunlight, then the grass turns brown."

or

"If the air is colder, then the grass turns brown."

​But to construct the hypothesis, you must be

​familiar of the three variables in an experiment:

Independent variable,

dependent variable,

and controlled variable.

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Let's find out and type here what's the differences.

​Independent Variables

​A independent variable is the variable that the experimenter changes or manipulates.

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The independent variable is the cause, input, or what is being done during the experiment.

Dependent Variables

​A dependent variable is the variable that changes in response to the changes in the independent variable.

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The dependent variable is the effect, output, or what happens during the experiment.

Control variables (constant variables)

These are the elements that are kept the same during a scientific experiment. 

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Any change to a controlled variable would invalidate the results.

Multiple Choice

From the experiment, "Does heating water allows it to dissolve sugar faster?"

Which of the following best represents the Independent Variable?

• The time taken for the sugar to dissolve.

• The amount of sugar put in each glass.

• The temperature of the water: 50, 75, 100, 25 (in degree Celsius)

• The glass with unheated water (tap water only)

Multiple Choice

From the experiment, "Does heating water allows it to dissolve sugar faster?"

Which of the following best represents the Dependent Variable?

• The time taken for the sugar to dissolve.

• The amount of sugar put in each glass.

• The temperature of the water: 50, 75, 100, 25 (in degree Celsius)

• The glass with unheated water (tap water only)

Multiple Choice

From the experiment, "Does heating water allows it to dissolve sugar faster?"

Which of the following best represents the Controlled Variable?

• The time taken for the sugar to dissolve.

• The amount of sugar put in each glass.

• The temperature of the water: 50, 75, 100, 25 (in degree Celsius)

• The glass with unheated water (tap water only)

​Construct a hypothesis

​Independent variable:

​the different temperatures of the

​water measured in degrees Celsius

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​Dependent variable:

​time for sugar to completely dissolve (measured in minutes)

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​Controlled variables:

​similar stirring, similar type and amount of sugar, similar volume of water

​Construct a hypothesis

​Independent variable:

​the different temperatures of the water measured in degrees Celsius

​​Dependent variable:

​time for sugar to completely dissolve (measured in minutes)

​​Controlled variables:

​similar stirring, similar type and amount of sugar, similar volume of water

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​If we increase the temperature with increments of 25 degrees Celsius,

then it will dissolve the sugar faster.

​Take a look at this image, let try to identify the different  variables.

Multiple Choice

What is the independent variable in the germination experiment?

• Type of Seeds

• Amount of Light

• Amount of Water

• Amount of Heat

Open Ended

What is the dependent variable for the germination experiment?

Multiple Choice

What hypothesis best describes the experiment?

• If the amount of light is increased, then the plant will grow taller.

• If the amount of water is increased, then the plant will grow faster.

• If heat is incrementally  increased, then the plant will grow taller.

• If different soil is used for a seed, then the seed will grow faster.

​​Take a look at this image, let try to identify the different  variables.

Multiple Choice

In the "growing plants" experiment, what is the independent variable?

• Height of the Plant

• Amount of Water

• Amount of Light

• Type of nutrients in the soil

Multiple Select

In the "growing plants" experiment, what are the 2 dependent variables?

• Height of the Plant

• Mass of the Plant

• Amount of Light

• Type of nutrients in the soil

Open Ended

In the "growing plants" experiment, what are the controlled variables (the variables not changed)? 

Multiple Choice

What hypothesis best describes the experiment?

• If compost fertilizers are used, then the bean will grow faster and bigger. 

• If the use of water is controlled, then the bean will grow faster and bigger.

  Mass of the Plant

• If the amount of light is lengthened, then the bean will grow faster and bigger.

• If heat is added on the plant pot, then the bean will grow faster and bigger.

Multiple Select

When conducting an experiment, why is it important to complete multiple trials of the same exact set-up? Choose 2 answers

• To obtain accurate data.

• To eliminate the effects of outliers (unusual data).

• To obtain consistent data

• To obtain data that will support your hypothesis.

Multiple Choice

True or False: Hypothesis always correct.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

What will you do if your hypothesis is incorrect?

• try again after changing something

• Do the experiment the same way again.

• give up

Time to some Collaboration​

​Open Class Notebook now

​Fourth Step: Design the Experiment

​Plan a procedure.

Write down the steps you will use to test your hypothesis.

Complete several trials to test your hypothesis.

​Fifth Step: Results

​Keep a record- Write down what happened and what you did in your experiment.

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​Analyze the data from your experiment.

Construct graphs.

Summarize what happened.

​Sixth Step: Conclusion

Make a decision on your hypothesis based on the data you collected.

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Was your hypothesis correct?

Write it down.

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​Was your hypothesis correct?

• Summarize the results of the experiment here and state if you were correct/incorrect.

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