Lesson Objective
Scientific Enquiry
To
D: identify the main steps of scientific investigation
C: describe the steps
B: explain a given investigation using all the steps, able
to draw simple graphs.
A: plan a scientific investigation for the given question.
A*: Link, analyse & alter factors of the investigation.an
other organisms (
Observation
Independent
Evidence
Dependent
DATE!
Copy the
learning
objectives (1).
Find the meaning
of these keywords
as a homework
Key words
STARTER
Think of a question you would like to find an answer to by investigating
WHAT MAKES A SCIENTIST?
When do you think people become a
Scientist?
1. Babies – first signs, look and listen
curious.
2. Children – pick up things that fall, bang
objects, investigate.
3. Older children –learn at school, want to
find out more.
4. Secondary school – Science labs
wonder to new heights.
5. After school- some an interest, study
college/university.
Scientific Enquiry: Key activities to make discoveries
STAGE 1-4
(not steps: 1-7)
Stage 1:Considering ideas/evidence
• Discuss + explain the importance of
questions, evidence and explanations using
examples.
• Test explanations by using them to make
predictions, then evaluate these against
evidence.
• Discuss the ways that Scientist work today
and worked in the past.
STAGE 2: Planning
• Select ideas + produce plans for testing
previous knowledge and research.
• Suggest and use preliminary work to
decide how to carry out an investigation.
• Decide whether to use evidence from
first-hand experience or secondary
resources.
• Decide which
measurements/observations to use and
the equipment.
• Use appropriate sampling techniques
where required.
STAGE 3: Obtaining and presenting evidence
• Make enough observations to reduce
error and make results more reliable.
• Use a range of materials and equipment
and control risks.
• Make observations and measurements.
• Choose the best way to present your
results.
STAGE 4: Considering evidence and approach.
Describe patterns seen in results.
Interpret results using scientific knowledge.
Look critically at resources.
Draw conclusions.
Evaluate the methods used and refine them.
Compare results + methods used by others.
Present conclusions/evaluations in different
ways.
• Explain results and communicate this clearly
to others.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Observation
Copy this (2??)
2
Extra
3
4
5
6
7
The SEVEN (7)
steps in the
SCIENTIFIC
ENQUIRY
Remembering the order of The Scientific Method
• You can plan your own method to help you remember the sequence of the Scientific Method,
but in the mean time here is an example:
Copy (3)
1. Observation
2. Question
1.Onlynly
2. Queens
3. Research
4. Hypothesis
5. Test/Experiment
3. Run
4. Home
5. To
6. Analyse/Conclusion 6. Apply
7.Communicate/report 7. Cream
Match the statements with lines to the correct description and stick into your book:
Give copied: Activity 1
Term
Explanation
1. Observation
A. What I expect will happen
2. Question
B. Considering experimental data to see if your hypothesis is true or false
3. Hypothesis
C. An educated guess or if/then statement suggesting how something works that can be tested
4. Prediction
D. How, What, When, Who, Which, Why, or Where?
5. Test
E. Something that I want to provide a scientific explanation for
6. Analyse
F. A theory that fits all experimental measurements and observations
7. Scientific Law
G. Conducting an experiment to test your hypothesis
(7)
Activity 1
Answers:
Term
Explanation
1. Observation
E. Something that I want to provide a scientific explanation for
2. Question
D. How, What, When, Who, Which, Why, or Where?
3. Hypothesis
C. An educated guess or if/then statement suggesting how something works that can be tested
4. Prediction
A. What I expect will happen
5. Test
G. Conducting an experiment to test your hypothesis
6. Analyse
B. Considering experimental data to see if your hypothesis is true or false
7. Scientific Law
F. A theory that fits all experimental measurements and observations
Copy this
(3)
YOU!!
CREATOR!!
Graphs - Hints and Tips
Maths revision
1) Your graph paper has:
• Big squares
• Medium squares
• Little squares
Think about which ones are the best to
use.
3) You should have the same distance
between all of the points on your axis.
•
The top example has 10 squares each
time. This is right.
•
The middle example has 5 squares each
time. This is also right.
•
2) When you draw lines make sure you
draw them with a ruler and keep on the
same line, don’t go across squares.
The bottom example has a different
number of squares each time. This is
wrong.
4) If you have numbers on your axis,
they should increase by the same
amount each time.
•
Going up by 2 every time is right.
•
Going up by 2, then 4, then 2 is
wrong.
5) The numbers on your axis should always
start at 0.
6)
The dependent variable (what you measure) should be on the
Y (side) axis.
7) If you are doing a line graph your points
should be plotted as small, neat crosses.
Not dots.
The independent variable (what you change) should be on the
X (bottom) axis.
If your independent variable is continuous, e.g. has any numerical value, like mass or time,
then you should draw a line graph.
If your independent variable is discrete (discontinuous), e.g. has a specific value, usually
described by a word, like eye colour, then you should draw a bar chart.
8) Lines of best fit should go through
the middle of your points. You shouldn’t
join your points together.
9) Don’t forget your graph needs:
•
A title explaining what the graph shows
•
Labels on both axis with the units, e.g.
cm, seconds.
You only need to know the 7 STEPS in the
Scientific Enquiry. You do not need to know
the detail of each step, you rather need to
APPLY your knowledge. That is way we will
now do worksheets where you can apply
your knowledge.
Extension task:
Research examples of the work of different
Scientist.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Plenary:
1. How many steps in the Scientific Method? 71
2. Name step 2?
3. Name step 5?
2
Question
3
Test/Experiment
4. Type of variable that YOU determine?
4
Independent
5. ‘Everything you want to remain constant and unchanged’ – which variable?
5
Controlled