Scientific Method

​Do Now - Thursday, August 18, 2022

​Anything that can be observed with the 5 senses.

​Observation:

​Part Description

​Example: Plants seem to grow taller when fertilizer is applied to them.

What the scientist wants to know.

​Question:

​Part Description

​Example: How much fertilizer will help a plant grow largest?

An informed prediction based on observations and research.

​Hypothesis:

​Part Description

​Example: If I add more fertilizer to the plant, then it will grow larger.

​What is being changed. This is what the scientist is testing.

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You should only have 1 independent variable.

Independent variable

​Part Description

Example: The amount of fertilizer applied to the plant.

​What is being measured. This provides data that will answer the question.

​Dependent variable

​Part Description

​Example: How much each plant grows.

​Variables that stay the same throughout the experiment.

​Constants

​Part Description

​Examples: type of plant, amount of watering, amount of sunlight, type of fertilizer.

​The group that is not being tested with the independent variable. Used to compare results.

​Control

​Part Description

​Example: The plant that gets no fertilizer.

Which battery will last the longest?

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A remote-controlled vehicle will be tested, first using Duracell batteries.

Then Energizer batteries will be used.

Finally, Rayovac batteries will be used.

The time each battery lasts will be recorded in minutes.

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Multiple Choice

Which battery will last the longest? A remote-controlled vehicle will be tested, first using Duracell batteries. Then Energizer batteries will be used. Finally, Rayovac batteries will be used. The time each battery lasts will be recorded in minutes.

The independent variable (thing being changed) in this experiment is:

• The time each battery lasts

• The remote-controlled vehicle

• The type of battery

• The ground being driven on

Multiple Choice

Which battery will last the longest? A remote-controlled vehicle will be tested, first using Duracell batteries. Then Energizer batteries will be used. Finally, Rayovac batteries will be used. The time each battery lasts will be recorded in minutes.

The dependent variable (thing being measured) in this experiment is:

• The time each battery lasts

• The remote-controlled vehicle

• The type of battery

• The ground being driven on

Multiple Select

Which battery will last the longest? A remote-controlled vehicle will be tested, first using Duracell batteries. Then Energizer batteries will be used. Finally, Rayovac batteries will be used. The time each battery lasts will be recorded in minutes.

Some constants in this experiment should be:

• The time each battery lasts

• The remote-controlled vehicle

• The type of battery

• The ground being driven on

The Scientific Method

The scientific method is a process of discovery used to find answers to questions about the world around us.

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There is more than one version of the scientific method.

However, all versions begin with the identification of a problem or question to be answered based on observations of the world around us and provide an orderly method for conducting and analyzing an experiment.

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The Scientific Method

What is a hypothesis? It is an informed prediction

based on observations and your knowledge of the topic.

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What is data? It is information gathered during an experiment.

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Steps of the Scientific Method

1. Identify the problem / question:

   What do you want to know or explain? Use observations you have made to write a question that addresses the problem or topic you want to investigate.

Steps of the Scientific Method

​2. Make a hypothesis

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What do you think will happen? Predict the answer to your question or the outcome of the experiment.

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Steps of the Scientific Method

​3. Design an experiment

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How will you test your hypothesis? Develop a procedure for a reliable experiment and address safety rules.

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​4. Perform the experiment

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Follow the steps in your procedure to perform your experiment. Record data and observations!

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Steps of the Scientific Method

5. Analyze the data

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Follow the steps in your procedure to perform your experiment. Record data and observations!

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6. ​Is your data inaccurate or the experiment flawed?

Yes. Modify the experiment. Rewrite your procedure to address the flaws in the original experiment.

No. Move on to the final step.

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Steps of the Scientific Method

7. Write and share the conclusion

Write a conclusion that summarizes the important parts of your experiment and the results.

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​Which type of ball will fall fastest?

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A baseball, a bowling ball, and a marble will be taken to a rooftop (30 feet high).

A baseball will be dropped first, then a bowling ball, and finally a marble.

The time it takes each type of ball to hit the ground will be measured in seconds.

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Multiple Choice

A baseball, a bowling ball, and a marble will be taken to a rooftop (30 feet high).

A baseball will be dropped first, then a bowling ball, and finally a marble.

The time it takes each type of ball to hit the ground will be measured in seconds.

The independent variable (thing being changed) in this experiment is:

• The time it takes to hit the ground

• The height the balls are dropped from

• The type of ball

• The amount of wind blowing when the balls are released

Multiple Choice

A baseball, a bowling ball, and a marble will be taken to a rooftop (30 feet high).

A baseball will be dropped first, then a bowling ball, and finally a marble.

The time it takes each type of ball to hit the ground will be measured in seconds.

The dependent variable (thing being measured) in this experiment is:

• The time it takes to hit the ground

• The height the balls are dropped from

• The type of ball

• The amount of wind blowing when the balls are released

Multiple Select

A baseball, a bowling ball, and a marble will be taken to a rooftop (30 feet high).

A baseball will be dropped first, then a bowling ball, and finally a marble.

The time it takes each type of ball to hit the ground will be measured in seconds.

Two constants in this experiment should be:

• The time it takes to hit the ground

• The height the balls are dropped from

• The type of ball

• The amount of wind blowing when the balls are released