What is science?
Science is…
• process of thinking, observing, & studying our
world by using the scientific method to gain
knowledge, answer questions, & solve problems!
• Experiments = Evidence!
Questions to Consider!

Will science provide answers to all our
questions? Why?

What is science limited by?
Question Activity
One question that can be answered by
biology/science?
&
 One question that can not be answers by
biology/science?

Steps of the Scientific Method
Identify a Problem
2. Gathering Information
3. Make a Hypothesis
4. Perform an Experiment
5. Analyze results
6. Draw Conclusions
7. Repeat & Communicate
1.
Scientific Method

Step 1
 Identify a problem
 Example: My car will not start.

Step 2
 Gather information
 Example: lights will not turn on, key turns but
engine makes a funny noise
○ Observation vs. Inference
Lesson Closure – Exit Ticket
Today’s objective was to start to identify &
discuss the important parts & purpose of
the scientific method.

What are some important parts of the
scientific method?

Why are observations important in
science?
Steps of the Scientific Method
Identify a Problem
2. Gathering Information
3. Make a Hypothesis
4. Perform an Experiment
5. Analyze results
6. Draw Conclusions
7. Repeat & Communicate
1.
Scientific Method

Step 3: Make a hypothesis
○ prediction about what you think is going to happen in an
experiment
 Specific to an experiment
 Testable
 If, then format
Example: Fish are dying in a pond. (problem). We
investigate the pond & find it is near a housing
development, highway, and a farm. (info) We predict that
fertilizer from the lawns of the houses & the farm is
washing into the pond and killing the fish.
How could we test these questions?
 Does cigarette smoking increases the risk of
lung cancer?
 Can eating breakfast increases performance
in school?
 How could we raise school spirit?
What would your hypothesis be?
Scientific Method

Step 4: Perform an experiment
 Test the hypothesis!
 Planned out  Procedure
 Collect Data (observations)
Procedure Activity

2 Notes Cards
 Draw a simple picture on one note card.
 On the other card, write a procedure to
explain to someone else how to draw the
same exact picture.

Pair Up
 Using the procedure only, see if your partner
can draw your picture.
 Hint: don’t tell them what it is!
Scientific Method

Step 5  Analyze the Data
 What does the data mean?
 Identify relationships
Analyze
• Q: What does this
data say?
• A: As temperature
increases, dissolved
oxygen decreases
Temperature
(0C)
20
Dissolved
Oxygen (ppm)
30
33
40
29
50
15
60
10
45
Steps of the Scientific Method
Identify a Problem
2. Gathering Information
3. Make a Hypothesis
4. Perform an Experiment
5. Analyze results
6. Draw Conclusions
7. Repeat & Communicate
1.
Scientific Method

Step 6: Draw conclusions
 My data did support my hypothesis that…
Or…
 My data did not support my hypothesis
that…
What would your conclusion be?
• Hypothesis  If maintenance increases the number of
recycling cans in the lunch room, then the amount of
trash will decrease.
• Data:
# of recycling cans
Amount of trash (tons)
2
3
4
5
6
250
200
150
150
149

Repeat
◦ Why would this be important?

Variables
 Only want to change one factor at a time! Why?
 Constants: variables you keep the same
 Independent vs. Dependent variables
 Control Group

Collect Data
 Qualitative vs. Quantitative
You want to know what color flowers butterflies like best. You choose
an area you know is naturally inhabited by butterflies. You plant 6
rows of flowers, each row a different color of the same type of
flower. Twice a day, each day (morning & evening) you add up the
number of butterflies found on each different color of flowers.

What is your independent variable?

What is your dependent variable?

What are your constants?
Results of Science

Scientific Theory
 explanation that has been
supported by many experiments
○ Makes Predictions
○ Has lots of evidence to support
those predictions
○ Is constantly being tested!