Chapter 1, Section 2
Standard
Investigation and Experimentation.
Scientific progress is made by asking
meaningful questions and conducting careful
investigations.
Objective 1
Identify the steps that make up scientific methods.
Objective 2
Analyze how scientific thought changes as new
information is collected.
Assessment
Mythbusters Activity, Chapter Test
Review
Daily Bellwork, Science Starters
Key Terms
Create a flash card for the following key terms (p. 9
in textbook):
 Observation
 Hypothesis
 Independent variable
 Dependent variable
 Theory
If you finish early, study your flash cards!
The Scientific Method
Ask a Question
The Scientific Method begins with
observations based on sight, touch, taste,
hearing, or smell.
 These observations often lead to a question.
 For example after seeing a tornado one might
ask, “What causes a tornado to form?” or
after being in an earthquake one might ask,
“Why did my books fall off the shelf but the
CDs did not?”

Form a Hypothesis
Once a question has been asked and
observations have been made, a
HYPOTHESIS is made.
 A HYPOTHESIS is a possible solution or
answer to the question; an educated
guess.
 For example: I might hypothesize that
houseplants in the sun will grow faster
than plants in a location without sun.

INTERACTIVE

Write a hypothesis for the experiment
below:
◦ A scientist is going to measure toy car speed
on a ramp. He is going to test if the size of
the wheel affects the speed of the toy car
going down a ramp. He has a regular toy car,
a toy car with extra large wheels, and a toy
car with mini-wheels.
◦ What is your hypothesis??
Test the Hypothesis
Once a question has been asked and a
hypothesis made it is time to develop an
experiment to test the hypothesis!
 Factors that can be changed in an experiment
are called VARIABLES.
 INDEPENDENT VARIABLE= a factor that can
be changed by the person conducting the
experiment.
 DEPENDENT VARIABLE= the factors that
change as a result of changing the independent
variable.

INTERACTIVE

In the toy car experiment fill in the
following:
◦ Independent Variable______________
◦ Dependent Variable_______________
Models
In Earth Science it is often impossible to
use a controlled experiment.
 When experiments can’t be done
Scientists observe evidence and make
observations.
 Scientists also use MODELS such as maps,
3-D miniatures (of mountains, solar
objects, etx), Computer models.

Quick Check!
1.
2.
3.
4.
Name the 1st step of the Scientific Method.
___________________
Name the 2nd step of the Scientific Method.
___________________
The variable that the person doing the
experiment can change is called the
______________ variable.
The variable that changes as a result of the
experiment is called the _________
variable.
Read about the Experiment below and answer the
questions in your notes…
One day 3 students were working on their science fair project.
They were conducting an experiment to see if the amount of
time spent studying affected the test score. They each
studied with the same materials, for the same test. Student A
studied for 20 minutes, Student B studied for 1 hour, and
Student C studied for 2 hours. They each took the same test,
at the same time and then compared their results:
Student A=64%
Student B=85%
Student C=97%
In the experiment above, give a possible Hypothesis:
____________________________________________
What is the Independent Variable? ____________________
What is the Dependent Variable?______________________
Variables
It is very important that in any experiment only ONE
VARIABLE should be tested.
In the previous experiment on studying, only the
time was changed. What would happen to the
results if the time was changed for each person, but
also they each studied for a different subject??
The Scientific Method—What’s
Missing??
Draw Conclusions
After the experiment is complete it is time
to draw conclusions! Was the hypothesis
correct?? Was it wrong?
The results may lead to more questions, in
which case a new experiment may be
developed.
The Scientific Method—What’s
Missing??
Interactive!
Create a Haiku about the Scientific Method.
 You may work with your group, but everyone
must write the Haiku in their notebooks.
 3 lines:

◦ 5 syllables in first line
◦ 7 syllables in second line
◦ 5 syllables in 3rd line

Example:
Observations and
Experiments are a part
Of the good method
Measurements
Throughout the Scientific Methods
scientists need a common system of
measurement so they can share
information:
 International System of Units or SI

Brain Pop-Scientific Method
Acceptance of Ideas
Once an experiment is complete and conclusions
have been drawn the experiment is often repeated
by other scientists. When the hypothesis is
confirmed repeatedly and undergone a LOT of
testing, it will form a THEORY.
A THEORY is an explanation/answer for a scientific
question.
Hypothesis vs. Theory
Hypothesis
Theory
• Educated
guess
• Not tested yet
or
• Not tested
much
• Well-accepted
answer
• Well-tested
• Supported by
many
experiments
Interactive!

Quickwrite: In your own words explain
the difference between Hypothesis and
Theory.
Error
 No experiment is perfect. Many things can go
wrong and many things cannot be controlled.
 Scientists acknowledge that there will be error.
 Scientists ALWAYS identify and communicate
sources for error.
Sources for Error…
Human
Error
Instrument
Error
Environmental
Materials not
uniform
Quick Check!
1.
2.
3.
What is the difference between a hypothesis
and a theory?
__________________________________
__________________________________
______________________
Name 2 sources for error in experiments?
__________________________________
__________________________
What is the last step of the Scientific Method?
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
___
INTERACTIVE
In your own words, summarize what you
have learned about the scientific method
and sources of error.
 At LEAST 6 sentences.

Assessment
Mythbusters Episode: Identifying the Steps
of the Scientific Method and possible
sources of Error!
1. Watch
the episode of Mythbusters.
2. While watching, fill in the steps of the
Scientific Method and the possible sources
of error.
3. Create a Mini-Board