Introduction to Science:
The Scientific Method
Flip Chart
Lisa Cary
7th Grade Science
Courtesy of: Omega Science
What is Science?-Do not write in
foldable

The knowledge obtained by observing natural
events and conditions in order to discover facts
and formulate laws or principles that can be
verified or tested.
What is the Scientific Method?Do not write in foldable
Step-by-step way in which scientists answer questions.
 1. State the Problem.
 2. Research
 3. Hypothesis.
 4. Experiment
 5. Record and Analyze Data
 6. State Conclusions.
 8. Repeat Experiment for
Accuracy and communicate
Results.

State the Problem-left side of
foldable
 The problem identifies what you
want to find out.
 Be specific
 In the form of a question:
Ex. “How does ___ affect __?
“What is the effect of ___ on __?”
State the Problem/QuestionsRight side of foldable
How
many paper clips can I
fit in a full cup of water?
Research-Left side of foldable
 Write
down what you already know
 Use books, articles, experts, and
Internet.
 Reliable Sources:
-.edu -.gov -.org -NOT wikipedia
 If you find an answer to your question,
you don’t need to move on.
Research-Right side of foldable
-Paper Clips all the same size
-Brand name
-Water Displacement
-Water properties
-Books?
-Internet?
Hypothesis-Left side of foldable
 Hypothesis:
An explanation based
upon prior research or
observations AND can be tested.
 Must relate to your problem. Use
your research to best answer your
question.
Hypothesis-Left side of foldable
*But you must be able to test it!
*Not everyone’s hypothesis is the
same!
 Must be a statement in the form of
“If…Then”
Hypothesis-Right side of foldable
If
I put more than ____
paper clips in a full cup of
water, Then the water will
overflow.
Experiment-Left side of Foldable
 Test
to support or refute your
hypothesis.
 Variables: Something that changes.
-Independent Variable-Scientist changes.
-Dependent Variable-What is being
measured, “The result”
Experiment-Left side of Foldable
 Must
have multiple trials (do
experiment multiple times)- this
makes your work valid and
accurate.
 Use a Controlled Experiment
only 1 independent variable at
a time being tested using a :
Experiment-Left Side of Foldable
 Control Group
Scientist changes nothing.
 Experimental Group
 Scientist changes something.
 Constants-What is kept the same in
experimental and control group
Experiment-Right Side of
Foldable
1.
2.
3.
Fill plastic cup almost to the top
with water. Go to your seat.
Fill beaker half full of water. Go
to your seat.
Fill plastic cup to the brim with
water.
Experiment-Right Side of
Foldable
4. Add 1 paper clip at a time to
plastic cup.
5. Continue adding paper clips
until water spills over.
6. Clean up your area.
7. Record your results.
Record and Analyze Data-Left Side

Make Observations (5 senses)
 Anything that you see, smell, touch, taste, or
hear. Ex. Fizz, color change, bitter.)
 Measurable data. (Ex. 5 cm, 10 m, ect.)
*Record- be consistent: create tables and charts.
*Create- Graph from collected data (line, bar)
Record and Analyze Data-Right Side
I think ______ paper clips.
______ paper clips for spill.
State Conclusions-Left side
 Restate
purpose of experiment.
 State if your hypothesis was correct
or incorrect.
 Consider improvements for your
experiment.
State Conclusions-Right side
The purpose of the experiment was to
find out how many paper clips would fit
in a full cup of water.
Originally, I believed _____ paper clips
would fit. My hypothesis was _______
because over _____ paper clips fit in the
cup without the water spilling.
I could improve my experiment by _____
Repeat Experiment for Accuracy
 Experiments
done the same way
can have different results.
 To be valid and accurate you must
repeat experiment multiple times.