Introductory Science Concepts Study Guide
Here are the 4 skills you must show mastery in for our introductory science concepts unit, along with information that you will need to
know in order to show that mastery. In order to show mastery of these skills, you cannot just memorize the information. You must be
able to apply it!!
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A proficient student can recognize and avoid safety hazards and unsafe laboratory practices.
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You must know the important safety rules we reviewed in class (Use your lab safety rules sheet from your
interactive notebook to help you review
You must be able to identify when someone is breaking a safety rule, or doing something unsafe in the lab (Use your
lab safety rules sheet and your lab safety cartoon from your interactive notebook to help you review.)
You must be able to explain what lab safety symbols mean when you’re shown a picture of the symbol. If you’re
given an explanation of what the symbol means, then you should be able to describe what the symbol looks like.
The lab safety symbols you are responsible for knowing are the ones from the textbook that you put on your
foldables. (Use the foldables from your interactive notebook to help you review.) The ones you need to know are:
o Safety goggles
o Fumes
o Lab apron
o Sharp object
o Breakage
o Animal safety
o Heat-resistant gloves
o Plant safety
o Plastic gloves
o Electric shock
o Heating
o Physical safety
o Flames
o Disposal
o No flames
o Hand-washing
o Corrosive chemical
o General safety awareness
o Poison
A proficient student can identify and properly use the common equipment found in the laboratory.
You must be able to recognize pictures of the following lab equipment, state their names, and explain what their
functions are. (Use your laboratory equipment match-up sheet from your interactive notebook to help you review)
o Triple beam balance
o Test tube
o Funnel
o Ruler or meter stick
o Magnifying glass
o Test tube brush
o Bunsen burner
o Stopper
o Hot plate
o Apron
o Beaker
o Flask
o Thermometer
o Safety goggles
o Forceps
o Graduated cylinder
o Eye dropper
o microscope
A proficient student can explain the steps, and the order of the steps, of the scientific method.
You must be able to name the steps of the scientific method, put them in the correct order, and explain what
happens during each of the steps. Be sure to include: : Create an experiment; Form a Hypothesis; Research;
Perform an Experiment; Communicate your results; Modify the Experiment if necessary; Analyze the Data; Identify a
Problem or Question (Hint…these are not in the correct order right now!) (Use your scientific method graphic
organizer from your interactive notebook to help you review)
In experiments, you must be able to identify:
o Qualitative observations or
o Independent variables
changes
o Dependent variables
o Constants
o Quantitative observations or
changes
(Use your notes, scientific method practice worksheet, identifying variables worksheet, and identifying
constants worksheet to help you review.)
A proficient student can describe the purpose of the scientific method.
You must be able to explain why scientists use the scientific method and how it helps them. (Use your scientific
method graphic organizer from your interactive notebook to help you review.)