scientific Method

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the role of science in understanding the natural world?

• Science provides unchanging answers to all questions.

• Science helps us understand the natural world and updates explanations as new information is discovered.

• Science only relies on old explanations and ignores new technology.

• Science is not related to understanding nature.

Open Ended

Why is it important for scientific explanations to change as new information and technology become available?

Open Ended

Explain why it is important for scientists to record their observations during an investigation.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a way scientists perform investigations?

• Observing and recording events

• Setting up experiments to test effects

• Building models to test how things act

• Ignoring observations and guessing

Open Ended

Describe how researching and gathering information can help a scientist before testing a hypothesis.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a way to test a hypothesis?

• Making observations

• Ignoring data

• Guessing the outcome

• Avoiding experiments

Multiple Select

Which of the following are possible variables in a plant growth experiment?

• Plant type

• Amount of sunlight

• Type of fertilizer

• Color of the pot

Multiple Choice

In the experiment shown, what is the dependent variable?

• Amount of water

• Fertilizer type

• Height after two weeks

• Amount of sunlight

Multiple Select

Which of the following are examples of constants in the plant experiment described?

• Amount of sunlight

• Amount of water

• Type of plant

• Type of fertilizer

Open Ended

Explain why it is important to keep certain factors constant in an experiment.

Multiple Choice

What is the control group?

• Group A

• Group B

Multiple Choice

What is the independent variable?

• The drink.

• How many stacks of paper they can staple.

Multiple Choice

What is the dependent variable?

• The drink.

• How many stacks of paper they can staple.

Open Ended

Explain how the independent and dependent variables are related in Smithers' experiment.

Multiple Choice

What should Smithers' conclusion be:

• The drink improved productivity

• The drink had no effect on productivity

Open Ended

Explain why Bart's experiment might not provide strong evidence for his hypothesis about microwaves making mice stronger.

Multiple Choice

Based on the experiments described in the first two images, what is the dependent variable in Bart's experiment with the mice?

• Number of mice able to push the block

• Type of food given to mice

• Exposure to microwave

• Time spent in the microwave

Open Ended

Why is it important to have a control group in scientific experiments like the ones described in the images?

Multiple Choice

Based on Krusty's experiment, which of the following conclusions can be drawn?

• The experimental itching powder is much more effective than the original.

• There is no significant difference between the two powders.

• The original itching powder lasts longer than the experimental one.

• Both powders cause the same amount of itching.

Open Ended

What is one question you still have about the scientific method or how science explains nature?

Open Ended

How do scientific explanations help us understand the natural world, and why might these explanations change over time?