Nellie Schunior Middle School
8th Grade Science
S.Y. 2006-2006
•The scientific method is the only
scientific way accepted to back up a
theory or idea.
•This is the method on which all research
projects should be based.
•The Scientific Method is used by
researchers to support or disprove a
theory.
Scientific Method
Conclusion
Based on the Result of Experiment
Must establish connection to the Hypothesis
Define the problem
Hypothesis
Analyze and Interpret
Gathred Data
Conduct Experiment
Identify the Problem
This
is usually written in question form.
What
question are you trying to answer?
Example:
Does the color of Jello
affect how fast it melt?
Form a Testable Hypothesis
A hypothesis is
an educated guess about the
answer to the question.
What
do you think the outcome will be?
The lighter the color
Example: of the Jello, the faster it
will melt.
Manipulated Variable
The
variable that the scientist changes on purpose
Also
known as the independent variable
Example:
The color of the Jello (green,
red, and yellow)
Controlled Variables
•Are kept the same throughout the experiment
•Keep the experiment fair
Example:
Amount of Jello
Temperature
Containers
Responding Variable
•What happens in the experiment that the scientist
cannot control
•Also known as the dependent variable
Example:
The melting times
materials
Topic : Jello Melt Test
green, red, yellow jello
9 clear plastic cups 7 ounce size
measuring cup
sunny window sill
3 shiny pennies
clock or timer
Procedure
Jello Melt Test
1. Prepare the Jello according to the direction on the box.
2. Pour 2 oz. of the jello in 3 of the cups. Do the same for the other
colors.
3. Put the cups in the refrigerator for 4 hours.
4. Place one cup of each color on a sunny window sill.
5. Set a penny in the center of each cup.
6. Check the cups every five minutes to see if the pennies has sunk to
the bottom.
7. Record how many minutes to see if the pennies has sunk to the
bottom.
8. Repeat the steps 4 through 7 two more time.
9. Calculate an average melting time for each color and record in a
data table.
Collect Data
The Effect of Jello Color on Melting Time
Color of Jello
Melting time in minutes
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average
Green
55
59
58
57
Yellow
57
61
62
60
Red
48
54
51
51
Interpret Data
• Make a graph of
measurable data
• Draw
conclusions
60
58
56
54
52
50
48
46
Average
melting
in
minutes
Green
Yellow
Red
Conclusion
Ask
yourself this…
Did
the results support the hypotheses?
Write your conclusion based on experimentation:
•The darkest color of Jello melted the
fastest.
•The results did not support the hypothesis.
Repeated trials!!!!!
The more trials, the
more reliable your
results.
Generate further questions :
Why does the dark
colored Jello melted
faster than the lighter
colored Jello?
Make your own Investigatory Project.
http://www.paducah.k12.ky.us/curriculum/PPoint/Templates/Science%20Fair.ppt
end