Nature of Science Focus N1.1 N1.2

When looking at charts and graphs, start by reading the title, the axis information, and look for a key. Next, look at the numbers/information for each axis and be sure to know what they mean. Then, look for any trends in the data. Be aware of any highs or lows.

Nature of Science

a general direction in which something is changing.

Trend

Multiple Choice

When was the greatest amount of shoppers at the store?

• 10am

• 1pm

• 6pm

• 2pm

Multiple Choice

How many push-ups were done on Monday?

• 5

• 10

• 15

• 20

Multiple Choice

Between which two days was the greatest decrease in push-ups?

• Friday and Saturday

• Tuesday and Wednesday

• Sunday and Monday

• Thursday and Friday

Experiment

A scientific investigation that includes a control group and is carried out under controlled conditions to answer a scientific question.
A scientist investigating which fertilizer grows plants the tallest.

Multiple Choice

An experiment generally tests how one _________ is affected by another.

• Variable

• test

• scientist

• option

Multiple Choice

What is an experiment?

• A test

• A long word

• Glasses

• I don't know

Multiple Choice

A good experiment usually tests a(n) __________. 

• variable

• scientist

• opinion

• hypothesis

Multiple Choice

The process of gathering information

• analyzing

• hypothesizing

• inferring

• observation/data

Descriptive investigation

A scientific investigation that involves making observations or collecting data to describe or quantify something.

A scientist who observes the types of plants that grow in a forest.

Multiple Choice

An organized scientific study of the natural world that may include making systematic observations, asking questions, gathering information, analyzing data, summarizing results, drawing conclusions, and/or communicating results.

• Observation

• Experiment

• Investigation

• Predict

Multiple Choice

Information about the natural world gathered through the senses and/or scientific instruments.

• Control Group

• Experiment

• Observation

• Investigation

Repeated/Systematic observation

A scientific investigation that includes repeatedly observing the same object, sometimes over a long period of time.

A scientist who observes the types of plants that grow in the same forest over thirty years visiting the forest once every year

Multiple Choice

If scientists want to investigate the planets in the solar system, what scientific method would they use?

• Make a model

• Conduct an experiment

• Repeated observations

Multiple Choice

Scientists are observing what kinds of butterflies visit a plant at different times of the year. What kind of scientific method are they using?

• Making a model

• Repeated observations

• Conduct an experiment

Multiple Choice

Why do scientists write reports about their investigations?

• To classify results

• To ask questions

• To perform experimental trials

• To communicate their work with others

Comparative investigation

A scientific investigation that involves making observations or collecting data on more than one object in order to compare them.

A scientist that observes and compares the types of plants that grow in a forest and a desert.

Multiple Choice

To arrange in a specific order or group by categories based on similarities.

• Trials

• Analyze

• Variable

• Classify

Control Group

A group in a scientific experiment that serves as a reference for comparison to the experimental group; a group that is untreated by the factor being tested.

Multiple Choice

a standard against which change is measured

• control group

• procedures

• data

• precision

Multiple Choice

the portion of an experiment that you do NOTHING to; it serves as a comparison to the experimental group; it is what you will use to compare to the other lab outcomes

• evidence

• control group

• variable

• constant

Scientific Method

The scientific method is a process or method of research

Multiple Choice

Information recorded in your experiment which is used to draw a conclusion is called

• reliable

• data

• hypothesis

• observation

Control Group

A control group is a group in the experiment which a variable is not being tested, such as a test subject that does not receive any treatment. Control groups serve as important benchmarks to compare the results of the experimental group, or the group that is being experimented on.

Multiple Choice

An experiment is being done to determine how light affects the growth of flowers. 10 flowers are given the regular amount of (sun)light, 10 flowers are grown in a shaded area, and 10 are grown in an area where they received extra sunlight. What is the control group in this experiment?

• the 10 flowers that received extra sunlight

• the 10 flowers grown in a shaded area

• the 10 flowers grown in the regular amount of (sun)light

Multiple Choice

Hypothesis: If plants are watered more than normal, then growth height will increase. What is the control group?

• plants grown with the more than the normal amount of water

• plants receiving the normal amount of water

Multiple Choice

Steve wanted to see if different types of fertilizer influence the growth of pepper plants. He grew 50 plants with a new eco-friendly fertilizer and 50 plants with regular fertilizer. What is the experimental group?

• the 50 sunflowers grown with the regular fertilizer

• the 50 sunflowers grown with the eco-friendly fertilizer

variable

A variable is any factor, trait, or condition that can exist in differing amounts or types. An experiment usually has three kinds of variables: independent, dependent, and controlled.

Multiple Choice

The change that is tested in an experiment.

• hypothesis

• data

• variable

• observation

Multiple Choice

Uses your senses to gather information.

• observation

• variable

• hypothesis

• data

Multiple Choice

The general steps used when conducting an experiment.

• observation

• variable

• hypothesis

• scientific method

Multiple Choice

A written explanation of what you think will happen, an idea that is tested in an experiment, and may be proven to be true.

• observation

• variable

• hypothesis

• data

Multiple Choice

A plan on how you will conduct your experiment

• Data

• Procedures

• Monkeys

• Hypothesis

Multiple Choice

Is something that is kept the same, remaining unchanged in an experiment.

• Control

• Variable

• Data

• P, B, & J

Multiple Choice

Is a procedure carried out under controlled conditions to test a hypothesis.

• Science

• Watching YouTube

• Experiment

• Hypothesis