Scientific
Method
Bellringer- Friday 8/14/15
 With
a partner, use the shapes provided
to form a square. You should use all of
the shapes, no bending or changing the
shapes.
Practice Lab
 This
lab is to see how well you can follow
instructions, and to see how well you can
write a lab report.
 This will be for a formative grade. While
you will be working in assigned small lab
groups, you are responsible for turning in
your own lab report.
Bubbleology

The following are the only parts of the lab report you are
given. You will develop the rest of the lab report.
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
Testable Question: Which brand of soap makes the biggest
bubbles?
Procedure:
1. Get 60 mL of a bubble solution. Make sure it is mixed.
2. Pour 20mL of the solution on the lab countertop. Rub with
your hand until slight bubbles form.
3. Insert your straw into a small bubble and blow. Continue
blowing until the bubble pops.
4. Measure the bubble dome left behind and record your
measurements.
5. Repeat 2 more times, then find the average of your
measurements.
6. Clean and dry the area, then repeat steps 1-5 with the
other two bubble solutions. (You may re-use your straw, but
please do not share straws.)
Scientific Method
 We
use the scientific method to find
answers to questions we have about the
world around us.
 Step 1: Develop a testable question.


Should be clear and able to be tested.
Example: “Do plants in Brand Name
Fertilizer grow taller than plants in generic
fertilizer?” is a better testable question than
“What makes plants grow?”
**Tip
 When
you conduct an experiment, you
should only test or change one variable
(or component) at a time. Why?
Step 2: Choose Your Variables

Independent Variable- What you are
changing (“I change”), or the “cause” you
are testing out.


Dependent Variable- will change as the result
of the independent variable; this is the
“effect” you are measuring.


Example: the type of fertilizer used
Example: the height of the plant
Control- An unaffected or “normal” condition,
gives you a baseline to compare data to.

Example: A plant with no fertilizer
Step 3: Form a Hypothesis
A
hypothesis is an educated
guess or prediction about
your testable question.


Often in the form of an “If…
then… (because…)”
statement.
Example: “If I use brand
name fertilizer on plants, they
will grow taller (because it
contains more nutrients).”
Step 4: Design your
experimental procedure.
 Your
procedure should be clear (like a
recipe). Sometimes the procedure will be
provided for you.
 Identify what materials are needed to
conduct the experiment.
 Everything except your independent
variable should be kept constant. Why?
 When possible, use large samples or
multiple trials. Why?
Step 5: Collect and Record Data
 Use
observations and measurements.
 Label any units, tables, etc. so that
anyone reading this data will know
exactly what it represents.
Step 6: Analysis of Data
 Identify
and discuss any relationships
between your independent and
dependent variables. Look for any
patterns or trends.
 Graphs are an excellent part of analysis.
Make sure to label any graphs clearly.
Step 7: Make a Conclusion
 Explain
what you learned as a result of the
collected data.
 Indicate if the data supports your
hypothesis.
 Discuss any possible sources of error or
further testing needed.
Self-Evaluation & Correction

How’d you do on the bubble lab? Did you include the
following?

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Testable Question
Hypothesis
Variables, Control, and Constants
List of Materials
Procedure
Observations/Data
Analysis
Conclusion
Write a short reflection at the end of your lab report
about what you think you demonstrated well and what
you think you could improve for the next lab report. Turn
in to your class basket when finished. *Make sure your
name is on it.
Review of Expectations
 “Sink



Or Swim”
We will divide into 2 teams.
Members from each team will face off
when given a question. The first person who
answers correctly wins their round, and may
eliminate any member of the opposing
team.
The last team standing, wins.
Bellringer- Tuesday 8/18/15



Read the article “How Drug Mix Up That Killed
3 Babies Happened”.
Highlight or circle the events that led to the
babies dying.
Be ready to discuss the following (make notes
of your answers if needed):



What lead to the babies’ deaths?
Who do you think is at fault?
What skills could have helped to prevent the
deaths?
Bellringer- Tuesday 8/18/15
 Read
the article “Polio Injection Shrinks
Woman’s Brain Tumor”.


What do you conclude about how well this
treatment works? Why?
What do you think is Dr. Gromeier’s next
step?
Practice with Variables
 Complete
all parts of the Sponge Bob
worksheet.
 Please ask for help if you need it.
Review of
Graphing
 Make




sure to Include:
Independent Variable goes on
the X-axis; Dependent variable
goes on the Y-axis.
Label and title your graph.
Beware of your scaling! Use
even intervals on your graph.
Line graphs are best if you are
tracking data over time. Bar
graphs are best for comparing
categories.
Feedback on Bubble Lab
Reports…
 Overall,
good start!  This assignment
was graded based on your reflection and
any corrections you made.
 Be thinking about what you may have
forgotten so that you can include it next
time and get full points. Keep your
checklist from notes handy.
 What would a complete lab report have
looked like?
Practice Designing An Inquiry
Experiment
 With
you group, design an experiment to
test out the question you are given.
 While the focus is going to be on the
procedure, still include variables, controls,
constants, and materials.
 Record answers on the butcher paper.
Exit Slip
 Evaluate
the two experiments on the exit
slip. This is for a formative grade!