 To
investigate and understand the world.
 To explain events in the natural world.
 To use those explanations to make useful
predictions.
 We do this with the SCIENTIFIC METHOD!
A
systematic approach to
problem solving.
A
method that is applied in
all scientific investigations.
 The
steps are a guideline
more than an exact recipe.
 To
be a good scientist you must be able to
accurately see things around you. This will
give you questions about the world and allow
you to find the answers accurately as well 
 This is called making observations, it is an
important part of science and an important
part of life!
 Are
there cars parked on the sides of the
road?
 What color is the pickup truck driving in the
road?
 Any minivans around?
 What color is the paper sign?
 What's the speed limit?
 Are there any pedestrians on the road?
 Are
there cars parked on the sides of the
road? YES
 What color is the pickup truck driving in the
road? BLUE
 Any minivans around? YES 1 parked & 1
Driving
 What color is the paper sign? BLUE
 What's the speed limit? 35 MPH
 Are there any pedestrians on the road? NO
 Quantitative
data:
expressed as
numbers, obtained
by counting or
measuring.
 Qualitative data:
descriptive and
doesn’t involve
counting
 Make
2 qualitative and 2 quantitative
observations about this picture:
Which type is
more accurate?
 Observe
a problem or ask a question (Purpose)
 Gather information on the problem. (Research)
 Form a hypothesis.
 Perform experiment(s) to test the hypothesis.
 Record and analyze data and make observations.
 State a conclusion.
So…why do we have the scientific method???
 You
have 1 minute….think of some random
questions!
 These are the questions science is all about!
 We can learn accurate information about
ANYTHING if we use scientific thought
 This is why we study science 
A
sheep farmer in Africa was puzzled about
the disappearance of some sheep on his
farm. One sheep would disappear every
week! He had to figure this out!!!
 This
is the purpose of the investigation.
 Usually
in the form of a question.
He wondered:
(PURPOSE) Why are my sheep disappearing?
He investigated:
(Research) What are some things that
happen to sheep?
-they escape
-they get stolen
-they get eaten
-they get lost
 Various
resources: internet, text,
encyclopedias, interview, newspaper etc…
 You must educate yourself about your
investigation so that you can make an
“educated guess” to test.
 Just don’t believe everything you see/read!
A
hypothesis is an educated guess based on
research.
 The hypothesis is what you are testing in an
investigation.
 Use the farmer’s purpose question to make a
hypothesis:
I think that….
.(write your hypothesis)
 the
farmer decided to put up an electric
fence and check the fence line everyday.
Manipulated Variable
 The “thing” that is
being changed by
you - by your
manipulation.
 There can only be
ONE manipulated
variable.
Responding Variable
 The “thing” that
reacts (responds) to
what you have
changed
(manipulated).
 This is the “thing”
you are measuring.
“Controlled Variables” aka “Constants”
 These
are the “things” that stay the same
throughout the investigation or experiment.
 Data
includes the measurements and/or
observations
 In this case…


the farmer counts his sheep every day and writes
down how many there are and what day it is.
Then he checks his fence and records anything he
finds
About a week later, this is what he found! D:
That is some strong evidence! But we need
to know for sure!!!!
 The
farmer can continue to count his sheep
every day to make sure that no more go
missing
 The farmer can also continue to check the
fence every day
 #1 best way to tell….check inside the snake!
 Write


a conclusion for this outcome
Include whether or not your hypothesis was
correct or incorrect
Explain why your hypothesis was incorrect

To test whether aspirin can keep flowers fresher for a
longer period of time, take two large beakers (labeled
A and B) with equal amounts of water. Place one red
carnation in each beaker. In beaker A put one tablet of
aspirin. In Beaker B do not put aspirin. Identify the
following with regard to this particular experiment.
What is the manipulated variable?
Amount of Water
Carnations
Aspirin
Time the flowers stay fresh
Apply what you’ve
learned…..
• To test whether aspirin can keep flowers
fresher for a longer period of time, take two
large beakers (labeled A and B) with equal
amounts of water. Place one red carnation in
each beaker. In beaker A put one tablet of
aspirin. In Beaker B, do not put aspirin.
Identify the following with regard to this
particular experiment.
What is the responding variable?
Amount of Water
Size of carnations
Size of beakers
Time the flowers stay fresh
Apply what you’ve
learned…..
• ”If the amount of sunlight
available increases, the rate of
photosynthesis in a plant will also
increase".
This statement is an example of a(n)
Conclusion
Purpose
Analysis
Hypothesis
Apply what you’ve
learned…..
• The effect of one minute of walking and
one minute of running on the pulse and
respiration rates of a human.
In this experiment, what is/are the
responding variable(s)?
Speed
Pulse & Respiration Rates
Time
Walking & Running
Apply what you’ve
learned…..
• If you were doing research on the
deadly E-bola virus, which resource
in the library would give the most
current information?
Internet
World Book Encyclopedia
Book
Reader’s Guide
Apply what you’ve
learned…..
• The effect of one minute of walking and
one minute of running on the pulse of a
human.
In this experiment, what is the
controlled variable(s)?
Speed
Time
Pulse & Respiration Rates
Walking & Running
Apply what you’ve
learned…..
• Scientists must analyze the results
of an experiment before they:
Form a hypothesis
Identify a control
Perform experiment
Draw a conclusion

A student plants one marigold seed into each of
three pots. One pot she uses soil from a flower
bed outside her house, one pot she plants with soil
from a garden store, and one she plants into rocks.
She uses a pitcher and waters each seed. She puts
a pot on the window sill of her kitchen, one under
the grow lights on her porch and one in a bag. She
waits three days and makes her first observation.
This is not a well prepared experiment. On a sheet of
paper write at least 3 reasons why this is not a
scientifically sound experiment. Then we will discuss
your answers.