Questions
What is science?
Why do we do science?
How do we do science?
Problem/Question
Observation/Research
Formulate a Hypothesis
Experiment
Collect and Analyze Results
Conclusion
Communicate the Results
Steps of the
Scientific Method
3. Formulate Hypothesis: Predict a
possible answer to the problem
or question.
Example: If soil temperatures rise,
then plant growth will increase.
Steps of the
Scientific Method
4. Experiment: Develop and follow
a procedure.
Include materials
Experimental Design
• Control group – used for comparison, baseline
– may be a “no treatment” group
– exposed to the same conditions as the experimental
group, except for the variable being tested
– All experiments should have a control group.
• Experimental Group – group that gets tested
• 1 factor changes at a time
• Many trials
Experimental Design
• Independent (manipulated) variable – the factor
you are changing/testing
• Dependent (responding) variable – the factor that
may change as a result of independent variable
• depends on the outcome of the independent variable
• What you want to measure
• Constant – remains same in every experiment
Why do we do science?
Agenda for Tuesday Dec 8th
1. Scientific Method notes
2. Lab
Bio Resources
www.glencoe.com/ose/
Access Code: CCF2754895
• Novak’s teacher website
Data
• Information gathered during an experiment
– Qualitative
– Quantitative
Steps of the
Scientific Method
5. Collect and Analyze Results:
retesting
Include tables, graphs, and
photographs.
Steps of the
Scientific Method
6. Conclusion: Include a statement
that accepts or rejects the
hypothesis.
–Support with data
–Make recommendations for further
study, possible improvements, and
errors
Steps of the
Scientific Method
7. Communicate the Results:
present the experiment
Paper, presentations
Scientific Method Sequence
Problem
Form a hypothesis.
Design and conduct experiment.
Repeat
experiment
many times
until results
are
consistent.
Draw a conclusion.
Hypothesis supported.
Refine and test
an alternate
hypothesis.
Hypothesis is not supported.
Report results of the experiment.
Scientific Method review
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Problem
Hypothesis
Experiment
Collect Data
Conclusion
Define qualitative, quantitative,
independent variable, and dependent
variable.
Agenda for Wednesday Dec 9th
1. Finish notes
2. Graphs
3. Scientific method and graph worksheets
What is difference between hypothesis,
theory & law?
Hypothesis - “an educated guess”; a tentative
explanation
Theory - a widely accepted explanation of natural
phenomena
**confirmed by overwhelming data
**subject to change
Law – explanation of what always occurs under
certain conditions
**confirmed by overwhelming data
Laws
• law – notes only that something happens
• happens consistently and across the universe
• frequently can be stated mathematically
Example:
• Newton’s 2nd Law: f=ma
Theories
•
•
•
•
theory – an explanation of natural processes
explains why laws and facts are true
Theories are confirmed by overwhelming data
subject to change
Inductive and Deductive
Inductive reasoning
• Specific Information
General Conclusion
the scientific method- a hypothesis is specific, and after
testing, you make fairly generalized observations
Deductive reasoning
• General Information
Specific Conclusion
– an investigator trying to solve a crime using various pieces of
evidence would be using deductive reasoning
• Inference - using observations, prior
knowledge/experiences, and details from
context to make connections and come up
with idea
• Deduction – make a conclusion from
something known or assumed
– Using data to make a conclusion
Graph type
• Line graph
changes over short and long periods of time.
• Bar Graph
used to compare things between different groups
• Scatter Plot
X-Y plots are used to determine relationships
between the two different things
– x-axis is used to measure one variable (independent)
and the y-axis is another (dependent)
List the 5 steps, in order, of the
scientific method.
Agenda for Friday Dec 11th
1. M and M lab
2. Go over worksheets
Worm lab
Problem: How does vegetation affect number of
worms?
Define theory and law.
Agenda for Monday Dec 14th
1. Quiz
2. Design bacteria lab
Bacteria Lab
Question: Which surface has the most bacteria?