Scientific Thinking

What is the first step of scientific thinking?

• Make an observation

• Design and conduct an experiment

• Form an hypothesis

• Share your results

What is an observation?

• A scientific statement based on ideas

• Using your senses to notice what is going on around you

• To be unaware of your surroundings

• The question that you want an answer to.

Which of the following is a valid observation?

• Ms. Wang loves cats.

• Ms. Wang has a black cat and an orange cat.

• I think cats are cuter than dogs.

• Are cats related to lions and tigers?

An explanation to a problem that has not yet been tested is called a...

• data

• theory

• hypothesis

• fact

A prediction is...

• a guess

• a theory

• an explanation for something

• an expected outcome

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

We can test a hypothesis using a(n)...

• answer

• experiment

• conclusion

• observation

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

This variable in an experiment is the one being changed by the scientist. 

• dependent variable
• independent variable
• data
• control group

In an experiment, the factor that we measure is called the

• controlled variable
• conclusion
• independent variable
• dependent variable

The summary at the end of an experiment that explains the results and shows if the hypothesis is supported.

• conclusion

• procedures

• materials

• dependent variable

In order to be accepted, a scientific theory must be

• widely tested and supported by extensive data

• based on the results of a single experiment

• controversial and cause debate

• 100% fact

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-1