Big Idea 1 : The
Practice of
Science
Description
A: Scientific inquiry is a multifaceted activity; the processes of science include the
formulation of scientifically investigable questions, construction of investigations
into those questions, the collection of appropriate data, the evaluation of the
meaning of those data, and the communication of this evaluation.
B: The processes of science frequently do not correspond to the traditional
portrayal of "the scientific method “.
C: Scientific argumentation is a necessary part of scientific inquiry and plays an
important role in the generation and validation of scientific knowledge.
D: Scientific knowledge is based on observation and inference; it is important to
recognize that these are very different things. Not only does science require
creativity in its methods and processes but also in its questions and explanations.
Benchmark Number & Descriptor
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SC.7.N.1.1
Define a problem from the seventh grade
curriculum, use appropriate reference materials
to support scientific understanding, plan and
carry out scientific investigation of various
types, such as systematic observations or
experiments, identify variables, collect and
organize data, interpret data in charts, tables,
and graphics, analyze information, make
predictions, and defend conclusions.
SC.7.N.1.2
Differentiate replication (by others) from
repetition (multiple trials).
SC.7.N.1.3
Distinguish between an experiment (which
must involve the identification and control of
variables) and other forms of scientific
investigation and explain that not all scientific
knowledge is derived from experimentation.
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SC.7.N.1.4
Identify test variables (independent variables)
and outcome variables (dependent variables) in
an experiment.
SC.7.N.1.5
Describe the methods used in the pursuit of a
scientific explanation as seen in different fields
of science such as biology, geology, and
physics.
SC.7.N.1.6
Explain that empirical evidence is the
cumulative body of observations of a natural
phenomenon on which scientific explanations
are based.
SC.7.N.1.7
Explain that scientific knowledge is the result
of a great deal of debate and confirmation
within the science community.
SOLVING A
PROBLEM
SCIENTIFIC METHOD
RECOGNIZE THE
PROBLEM
 Know what you are
trying to find out.
RESEARCH THE
PROBLEM
 Use computers, books, and
newspapers.
 Know what other scientists
have said about the problem.
SCIENTIFIC METHOD
DESIGN AN
EXPERIMENT
FORM A HYPOTHESIS
 Have an educated guess  Choose your materials.
 Choose your variables:
about what you think
 Independent –
the outcome of the
 What you are changing
experiment may be.
 Dependent -
 What you are measuring
SCIENTIFIC METHOD
PERFORM THE
EXPERIMENT
 Collect data.
 Repeat multiple times.
ANALYZE THE DATA
 Create charts and graphs to
organize your data.
 Look for similarities and
differences.
EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE
WHAT IS IT
 Evidence relating to or
based on an experiment
 In order for evidence to be
considered empirical, it
must remain the same no
matter who observes the
evidence.
 Empirical evidence is
needed if a theory is going
to be accepted.
DIFFERENT EVIDENCE
 Sometimes scientists run
similar experiments but get
different results.
 If different information is
obtained, scientists must
come together and explain
their findings.
 More experiments, more
evidence, and more
communication is needed to
ensure concrete results.
SCIENTIFIC METHOD
DRAW A
CONCLUSION
 Summarize all your
findings.
 Compare findings to
original hypothesis.
 Keep your conclusion as
simple as possible.
COMMUNICATION
 Scientists are a very close
community.
 When an experiment is
completed, the results are shared
throughout their community.
 Information may be applied to
other experiments, results can be
compared, and differences can be
explored.
 New information can strengthen
hypothesis or provide information
to alter them.
KNOWLEDGE CHECK
1. Place the following steps of the Scientific Method in correct order.
______ Analyze the Data
______ Research the Problem
______ Design and Experiment
______ Draw a Conclusion
______ Recognize the Problem
______ Perform the Experiment
______ Form a Hypothesis
2. What is empirical evidence?
3. When an experiment is complete, why do scientists communicate their
results?
KNOWLEDGE CHECK
1. Place the following steps of the Scientific Method in correct order.
___6__ Analyze the Data
___2__ Research the Problem
___4__ Design and Experiment
___7__ Draw a Conclusion
___1__ Recognize the Problem
___5_ Perform the Experiment
___3__ Form a Hypothesis
2. What is empirical evidence? Evidence that is non-subjective based on an
experiment.
3. When an experiment is complete, why do scientists communicate their
results? Information may be applied to other experiments, results can be
compared, and differences can be explored.
VARIABLES IN AN
EXPERIMENT
TYPES OF VARIABLES
Test Variable
 Something that is
changed by the
scientist
 What is tested
 What is
manipulated
Outcome Variable
 What is affected by the
change in the outcome
variable
 What is observed
 What is measured
 The data collected
during the
investigation
For Example:
PROBLEM
 Students of different
ages were given the
same jigsaw puzzle
to put together. They
were timed to see
how long it took to
finish the puzzle.
VARIABLES
 Test:
 Ages of the students
 Different ages were
tested by the scientist.
 Outcome:
 The time it to put the
puzzle together
 The time was observed
and measured by the
scientist.
Another Example:
PROBLEM
 An investigation was done
with an electromagnetic
system made from a battery
and wire wrapped around a
nail. Different sizes of nails
were used. The number of
paper clips the
electromagnet could pick up
was measured.
VARIABLES
 Test:
 Sizes of nails
 These were changed by
the scientist.
 Outcome:
 Number of paper clips
picked up
 The number of paper clips
observed and counted
(measured)
KNOWLEDGE CHECK
 The temperature of water was measured at different
depths of a pond.
 Identify the Test Variable.
 Identify the Outcome Variable.
KNOWLEDGE CHECK
 The temperature of water was measured at different
depths of a pond.
 Identify the Test Variable; depth of the water
 Identify the Outcome Variable; temperature
ARE YOU SURE
THAT’S THE
ANSWER?
Doing it over and over and
over…
Multiple Trials
 Repeating an experiment
proves its reliability and
validity.
 Reliability
 Answers are consistent.
 Validity
 Does your experiment
show what it is suppose
to?
Replication
 Able to be done by others.
 Researchers must be able to
do the exact same procedure
and get the exact same results.
 Shows confirmations of
ideas and theories.
KNOWLEDGE CHECK
1.What do the terms replication and
repetition mean?
2.Why are replication and repetition of
experiments important?
KNOWLEDGE CHECK
1.What do the terms replication and repetition
mean? Replication – Shows reliability and
validity; Repetition – other scientists can
perform your experiment and receive the
same results.
2.Why are replication and repetition of
experiments important? They both verify the
credibility and validity of the experiment.
NO
EXPERIMENTATION
NEEDED!
ASKING QUESTIONS
 All scientists begin their
journeys by asking
questions.
 How scientists get
answers to their
questions may vary.
 Not all scientists will need
to perform an experiment
to find answers.
 Some other ways to
answer questions are:
 Research
 Observations
 Creating models
ASKING QUESTIONS
RESEARCH
OBSERVATIONS
 If a scientist has a question,
he/she may turned to books,
magazines, encyclopedias,
or the computer.
 A scientist may rely on a
peer, and ask a fellow
scientist for information.
 Make sure though your
information comes from a
reliable source.
 Sometimes looking around
you and keeping a log can
help answer questions you
may have.
 You need to be subjective
when utilizing observations.
 Sometimes people only see
what they want to.
ASKING QUESTIONS
MODELS
EXAMPLES
 To help demonstrate a
problem or a way to solve it,
models can be built.
 Models can help see things
that are too small or big, or
they can help answer
questions from the past or
predicting the future.
 Research: How the universe
was formed
 Observations: Observing
how sunlight affects plant
growth
 Models: Creating a model of
the solar system
KNOWLEDGE CHECK
1.List 3 ways, other than scientific
method, that scientists can use in order
to solve problems. Give an example for
each.
KNOWLEDGE CHECK
1.List 3 ways, other than scientific
method, that scientists can use in order
to solve problems. Give an example for
each. Research - looking how stars
form; Observation - What color flower
bees prefer; Models – build an atom
WHAT DO THEY
DO?
SCIENTISTS
 Scientists do not have  Scientists use many
different tools to study
to be people wearing
their field.
white lab coats,
 Microscopes
mixing chemicals.
 Telescopes
 Scientists come in
every shape and size
 Computers
and can work in many
 People
different locations.
 Animals
TYPES of SCIENTISTS
 Geologist: Studies rocks and
minerals and spend a lot of
time outdoors collecting
samples.
 Mechanics: Fix machines from
cars to space shuttles. They
diagnose problems and help
improve performance.
 Zoologist: Studies the lives of
animals. Most work is
observation in an animals
natural habitat or type of zoo.
 Oceanographers: Studies
oceans and its contents. From
waves to animals, most of these
scientist spend time out on the
open waters.
KNOWLEDGE CHECK
1.What does a scientist look like?
2.List 4 careers that use or contribute
to science.
KNOWLEDGE CHECK
1.What does a scientist look like? A
scientist can be anyone even you!
2.List 4 careers that use or contribute
to science. Astronomer – studies
space; Marine biologist – studies
marine life; Engineer – creates tools
we use for science today.