Unit 2 – Intro to Science, Engineering & the Scientific Method

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the main focus of engineering?

• Explaining natural phenomena

• Studying everything

• Addressing human needs

• Inventing new scientific theories

Open Ended

Why is it important to understand both science and engineering when addressing human needs?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best distinguishes science as a process from science as a body of knowledge?

• Science as a process involves asking questions and investigating, while science as a body of knowledge is a collection of facts.

• Science as a process is only about memorizing facts, while science as a body of knowledge is about experiments.

• Science as a process is unrelated to observation, while science as a body of knowledge is based on observation.

• Science as a process focuses on technology, while science as a body of knowledge ignores it.

Multiple Choice

What are some key differences between field observations and controlled experiments?

• Field observations are done outside the classroom, while controlled experiments are done in a structured lab.

• Field observations always use advanced technology, while controlled experiments do not.

• Controlled experiments cannot collect data, while field observations can.

• Field observations are less scientific than controlled experiments.

Multiple Select

Which of the following are steps in the scientific method?

• Formulate a hypothesis

• Collect/Organize/Analyze Data

• Draw a conclusion

• All of the above

Open Ended

How can the scientific method be used to solve everyday problems, such as a missing Chromebook or arriving late to class?

Multiple Select

Which of the following statements correctly describe a dependent variable?

• It is manipulated by the experimenter

• It changes in response to the independent variable

• It is kept constant throughout the experiment

• It is measured to observe the effect of the independent variable

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes an independent variable in a controlled experiment?

• A variable that is measured to see the effect of changes

• A variable that is kept constant throughout the experiment

• A variable that is manipulated or changed by the experimenter

• A variable that is used for comparison and does not receive treatment

Multiple Choice

In the example 'If you drink milk before bed, then you will sleep better,' what is the independent variable?

• Drinking milk before bed

• Sleeping better

• The time you go to bed

• The amount of milk consumed

Open Ended

Choose one example from slides 3 or 4 and describe both the independent and dependent variables. Explain how changing the independent variable would affect the dependent variable.

Open Ended

Explain the difference between a control group and a controlled variable in an experiment. Provide an example for each.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the independent variable in Experiment 1?

• The amount of exercise a dog gets each week

• The weight of the dog

• The breed of the dog

• The food the dog eats

Multiple Choice

In Experiment 2, what is the dependent variable that is being measured?

• The amount of sleep a person gets

• The alertness of the person

• The age of the person

• The environment where the person sleeps

Open Ended

Compare Experiments 1, 2, and 3. What is the role of the control group in these experiments and why is it important?

Open Ended

Why is reproducibility important in scientific experiments, and how can a well-written lab report help achieve it?

Multiple Select

Which of the following are essential parts of a formal lab report?

• Purpose

• Hypothesis

• Materials

• Conclusion

Open Ended

Explain why it is important to label axes properly and use a best fit line when graphing experimental data.

Multiple Choice

When graphing the relationship between sunlight (hr) and plant growth (cm), which variable should be placed on the x-axis?

• Sunlight (hr)

• Plant growth (cm)

• Both variables

• Neither variable

Open Ended

How does engineering differ from science in terms of addressing human needs and applying principles?