Page 1
Warm Up
• DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING AT YOUR
TABLE!!!!!
• What do you think are the steps of the
scientific method?
• Pretend you are doing a science fair
project. What is your testable question?
What is your hypothesis? Write a
procedure for your experiment.
Page 2
Objectives
• SWBAT use the scientific method to
design an experiment.
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Scientific Methods
The scientific method is:
A series of steps used by scientists to
solve a problem or answer a question.
The Steps to the Scientific Method
• Make Observations
• Ask a Question
• Form a Hypothesis
• Plan and Conduct an experiment
• Record and Analyze Results
• Draw Conclusions
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Observation / Asking a Question
After making observations (gathering information with
our senses) a problem or a question must be identified.
A good question is testable. It leaves out the
supernatural and focuses on a cause and effect or a
comparison.
• How does temperature effect the
activity level of ants?
• What effect does temperature have
on heart rate?
• Does recycled paper decompose
quicker than non recycled paper?
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A hypothesis is
a possible
explanation to
the question or
problem.
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Designing a Controlled
Experiment
The factors in an experiment that can
be changed are called variables.
In a controlled experiment, only one
variable is changed at a time. All other
variables should be unchanged or
“controlled”.
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There are three variables in an
experiment:
a) The independent
variable is the
variable that is
deliberately
changed by the
scientist. This
what’s being
tested.
b) The dependent
variable is the one
observed during
the experiment.
The dependent
variable is the data
we collect during
the experiment.
This data is
collected as a
result of changing
the independent
variable.
C) The controlled
variable is the
variable that
stays the same.
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Control Groups
• Some experiments often have a control
group. A control group is a group/part of
the experiment that is not changed. It is
kept “normal” and we do not apply the
independent variable.
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Wrap Up
• What are the steps of the scientific
method?
• What step do you think is the most
important, why or why not? There is not
right or wrong answer but you must be
able to defend your answer.
Page 10
Warm Up
• List the independent, dependent, and
controlled variable and the control group
for each of the following experiments.
1. Tomato plants grown with music have more
tomatoes.
2. Fish oil in your diet will improve your
memory.
3. Trout raised in cold water weigh more than
trout raised in warm water.
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Tomato plants grown
with music have more
tomatoes.
Independent variable?
Dependent variable?
Control group?
Controlled variable?
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Independent variable?
Dependent variable?
Control group?
Controlled variable?
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Independent variable?
Dependent variable?
Control group?
Controlled variable?
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Recording and Analyzing Results
1. The data that has been collected must be
organized and analyzed to determine whether
the data are reliable.
2. Does the
data support
or not
support the
hypothesis?
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Drawing Conclusions
The evidence from the experiment is used to
determine if the hypothesis is proven or disproven.
Experiments must be
repeated over and
over. When repeated,
the results should
always be the same
before a valid
conclusion can be
reached.
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Wrap Up
• How do your results compare?
• Why might one be popping more?
• Make a prediction for soaked
Page 17
Warm Up
• Grab the sheet of paper from the Monday
drawer. Begin working on the word search.
Page 18
Objectives
• SWBAT use the scientific method to
design an experiment.
Page 19
Wrap Up
• Which popcorn popped best?
• Did your data differ from the class
average? Did you find a better type?
• Why do you think this type of popcorn
popped the best?
Page 20