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
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
SC.8.N.1.1
Define a problem from the eighth grade curriculum using appropriate reference materials to
support scientific understanding, plan and carry out scientific investigations 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.8.N.1.2
Design and conduct a study using repeated trials and replication.
SC.8.N.1.3
Use phrases such as "results support" or "fail to support" in science, understanding that
science does not offer conclusive 'proof' of a knowledge claim.
SC.8.N.1.4
Explain how hypotheses are valuable if they lead to further investigations, even if they turn
out not to be supported by the data.
SC.8.N.1.5
Analyze the methods used to develop a scientific explanation as seen in different fields of
science.
SC.8.N.1.6
Understand that scientific investigations involve the collection of relevant empirical
evidence, the use of logical reasoning, and the application of imagination in devising
hypotheses, predictions, explanations and models to make sense of the collected evidence.
I Have a Problem…
Scientific Inquiry
•
According to the National
Science Education
Standards (National
Research Council 1996)
inquiry activities include
making observations;
posing questions; finding
out what is already known;
planning investigations;
reviewing past knowledge
in light of experimental
evidence; using tools to
gather, analyze, and
interpret data; proposing
explanations; and
communicating the results.
Let’s Investigate
• The goal of science is to
understand and explain the world
around you.
• When trying to go about this task,
you need to focus on two things:
– Scientific observations
– Scientific ideas
Scientific Observations
• Involves using
your 5 senses
• Observing the
world around you
• You can create
an experiment
and make
observations
• Taking
measurements is
a form of
observation
Scientific Ideas
•
•
•
Based on evidence you gather
from your observations
You can create models,
theories and laws and
predictions based on your
evidence
It is important to know that
scientific ideas are never
100% proven
– They can only be
supported or unsupported
by observations
•
•
•
•
Theory
– A set of ideas that tie
together your observations
Law
– Based on ideas that have
been tested by observations
and experiments
Model
– Representation of an idea;
what it may look like or how it
may work
Prediction
– What you think may happen
based on your observations
Knowledge Check
• 1. What is the goal of science?
• 2. What are two things you must do
in order to understand science?
• 3. List 2 ways you can make an
observation.
• 4. What are 2 things you can make
from your observations?
Knowledge Check
• 1. What is the goal of science?
– To understand and explain the world around you
• 2. What are two things you must do in order to
understand science?
– Make scientific observations and create scientific
ideas
• 3. List 2 ways you can make an observation.
– Using your senses, make measurements
• 4. What are 2 things you can make from your
observations?
– Predictions and theories
Solving a
Problem
UNDERSTANDING
SCIENTIFIC METHOD
There is no single way to
“do” science. The
methods you use to
answer a question
depends on what the
question is.
Scientific Method
• One way to help solve a problem
is to use the scientific method.
• Scientific method involves a
series of steps that are used to
investigate a natural occurrence.
Steps of the
Scientific Method
1. Ask a Question:
• All scientific inquiry
begins with a question.
• You need to know what
you are trying to
find/prove.
Steps of the
Scientific Method
2. Make Observation and Do
Research:
• Use computers, books,
and newspapers.
• Know what other scientists
say about the problem.
Steps of the
Scientific Method
3. Formulate a Hypothesis:
• Have an educated guess
about what you think the
outcome of the experiment
should be.
–Does not have to be correct
in the end!
Steps of the
Scientific Method
4. Design an Experiment:
•
•
•
•
Develop and follow a procedure.
Choose your variables.
Include a detailed materials list.
Remember, the outcome must be
measurable (quantifiable).
Do you know the
difference between the
independent and
dependent variables?
VARIABLES
INDEPENDENT
• What you are
changing in an
experiment
• You are changing
this on purpose to
see the effects.
• Examples:
– Amount of sunlight
– Amount of mass
– Amount of food
provided
DEPENDENT
• What you are
measuring in an
experiment
• This is a result of
you altering your
independent
variable
• Examples:
– Plant growth
– Height of
pendulum swing
– Mass of goldfish
Steps of the
Scientific Method
5. Perform the Experiment:
• Collect data
• Repeat multiple times
Do you know why you
should have multiple
trials ?
Doing it over and over and
over…
Multiple Trials
Replication
• Repeating an
experiment proves
its reliability and
validity.
• Reliability
• Able to be done by
others
– Researchers must
be able to do the
exact same
procedure and get
the exact same
results.
– Answers are
consistent.
• Validity
– Does your
experiment show
what it should?
• Shows
confirmations of
ideas and theories
Steps of the
Scientific Method
6. Analyze the Data
• Create charts and graphs
to organize findings.
• Look for similarities and
differences.
Do you know how to
collect and show your
data?
Utilizing Graphs
• Graphs provide a great visualization of the
data you collect.
• There are several different types of graphs:
– Bar graphs
– Pie graphs
– Line graphs
What Type of Graph Do I Choose?
Bar Graphs
• Used to show
comparisons
between multiple
items
Pie Graphs
• Used to compare
the parts of a whole
What Type of Graph Do I Choose?
Line Graph
Shows the
relationship
between variables
Last but not Least…
Steps of the
Scientific Method
7. Draw a Conclusion
• Summarize all of your findings.
• Compare findings to original
hypothesis.
– Findings support or do not support
your original thoughts.
• Keep it as simple as possible
– Everyone needs to understand what you
did and what you found.
My Answer is Wrong?
If your conclusion does not match your hypothesis, it
does not mean your results are wrong!
Hypothesis DOES
Hypothesis Matches
NOT Match Results
Results
•
Repeat experiment multiple
times to test validity and
reliability.
•
Share your findings.
•
Don’t stop there.
–
The answer to one question
may lead to more questions
which lead to additional
hypotheses that need to be
tested for more
experimentation for the
future.
•
•
•
If your hypothesis does not
match your results, it is OK.
Many major scientific
breakthroughs have
occurred because a scientist
did not get the results
expected and went back to
do more experimentation to
find out why.
Retest your hypothesis.
– Use different testing,
propose another
hypothesis, gather more
data, or ask another
question.
Knowledge Check
• 1. What are the seven steps to the scientific
method?
• 2. What are two types of variables, and how
do you distinguish them?
• 3. List 2 ways to organize your data.
• 4. Are you wrong if your hypothesis does
not match your results?
Knowledge Check
•
1. What are the seven steps to the scientific method?
– Recognize the problem, Research, Hypothesis, Design
experiment, perform experiment, analyze data, and draw
conclusion.
•
2. What are two types of variables, and how do you
distinguish them?
– Independent – what is being changed on purpose
– Dependent – what is being measure in the lab
•
3. List 2 ways to organize your data.
– Graphs and charts
•
4. Are you wrong if your hypothesis does not match your
results?
– No, repeat if needed. Also, you may have made a new
discovery!