September 2, 2015
Earth Science
The Scientific Method
Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, EQ#1 Block#1
EQ: How can someone investigate an idea using an experiment and have its results be trusted and
reliable?
Using the scientific method
AA: How high does the ball at the lab station bounce?
Answers vary.
Vocab:
Scientific Method: the thoughtful process of steps for solving a problem with an experiment.
Experiment: the series of steps designed to answer the question
Data: the information that is observed, collected, and recorded in an experiment
Problem: the question to be answered (?)
Hypothesis: an educated guess that answers the question (.)
Independent variable: part of the experiment that you have control of
Dependent variable: part of the experiment that you measure
Constant: something that does not change in an experiment (the more the better)
Control: the one part that you don’t test in an experiment
Analysis: the calculations, graphs, and charts used to organize the data
Conclusion: a paragraph that restates the hypothesis, accepts or rejects the hypothesis, proves the
answer with data, and asks a new question
Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, EQ#1 Block#2
EQ: What is the difference between an independent and a dependent variable?
Independent is the part of the experiment you control and dependent is the part of the experiment you
measure.
AA: Discuss with your partner what makes a good hypothesis. They write down at least two features
that make it good.
Well thought out, makes a statement, stays on topic, uses “if” and “then”, answers the question, and is
a single sentence.
Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015, EQ#1 Block#3
EQ: What is Noah’s problem? What would make a good hypothesis for Noah’s problem?
Problem: How fast will ice melt on different colored blocks?
Hypothesis: Ice will melt slower on white colored blocks.
AA: What is the relationship between the problem and the hypothesis in the scientific method?
The problem is the question and the hypothesis is the answer to the question.
Class Decisions for Ball Lab:
Problem: How high does the tennis ball bounce from the lab table?
Hypothesis: The tennis ball will bounce between 15 and 36 inches when dropped from the height of the
lab station.
Constants:
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Drop from the same height
Use the same ball
Measure using a yard stick (inches)
Measure from the bottom of the ball
Bottom of the ball at the top of the lab station
Drop 10 times
Analysis:
Class average is 18 inches.
Conclusion:
Wednesday, Sept. 9th, 2015, EQ#1 Block#4
EQ: What are the four parts to a good hypothesis?
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Make an educated guess
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It must answer the question
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It must be testable with an experiment
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It includes both the independent (control) and dependent (measure) variables
AA: List two benefits that using the scientific method had on the experiment about, “how high does
the ball on the lab station bounce?”
Gave us a clear goal
Data was more organized
The Scientific Method
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The Problem:
Ask a scientific question
Must be possible to answer the question with an experiment
Only ask one question per experiment
Background Research:
Learning about the topics in the question
Hypothesis:
Make an educated guess
It must answer the question
It must be testable with an experiment
It includes both the independent (control) and dependent (measure) variables
Experiment:
The procedures should be designed to test the experiment
Only test with one independent variable
Create two or more constants
Make observations and record data
Analysis:
Organize the data
Put data in charts
Use the data to make a graph
Perform calculations
Answer questions
Continue analysis until the scientific question is answered
Conclusion:
A paragraph that summarizes the results of the experiment
Must restate the hypothesis
Accept or reject the hypothesis
Prove your answer with data and analysis
Ask a new question
Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015, EQ#2 Block#1
EQ: What can you include in the procedure that will make your lab results closer together, and
more believable?
Test with two constants
AA: “Among pens, pencils, markers, and crayons, the best tool for shading will be pencils.”
Identify the independent and dependent variables in this hypothesis.
Independent variable: the pens, pencils, markers, and crayons
Dependent variable: the shades
Friday, Sept. 11th, 2015, EQ#2 Block#2
EQ: What are the four parts of a good scientific conclusion?
•Must restate the hypothesis
•Accept or reject the hypothesis
•Prove your answer with data and analysis
•Ask a new question
AA: “How much plastic mass is in different brands of 12 oz. soda bottle?” Write a hypothesis for
this question and identify the independent and dependent variables.
There is 20 to 30 grams of plastic mass in a 12 oz. soda bottle.
Independent variable: Brand of bottle
Dependent variable: Mass of plastic
Monday, Sept. 14, 2015, EQ#2 Block#3
EQ: How can you control the period of a pendulum?
Only the length of the string controls the period of a pendulum. Not the mass or angle.
AA: What part of the conclusion allows for the scientific method to repeat itself?
Ask a question. This can be the problem for a new experiment.