SCIENCE – organized common sense.
Also the collective findings of humans
about nature, and a process of
gathering and organizing knowledge
about nature.
1. Observing
Science is based on
observation (perceiving
objects or events using one or
more of your five senses).
Observations often lead to
questions which lead to
experiments to answer the
questions.
SIX SKILLS
SCIENTISTS
USE
2. Inferring
Definition- interpreting an
observation by combining
evidence to reach a logical
conclusion
1
3. predicting
Definition- making an inference
about a future event based on
current evidence or past
experience
4. Classifying
Definition-grouping together
items that are alike in some
way
What kind of items might a
geologist classify?
5. models
•Help people understand things
they cannot observe directly
• What are some examples?
6. Communicating
Definition- The process
of sharing ideas and
information with others
through reading, writing,
listening, and making
models
2
Scientific Method
• What is the scientific method and why
is it important?
Q: What is the Scientific Method?
• 6 steps
1.Problem/question
2.Hypothesis
3.Experiment
4.Results/Data/Observations
5.Analysis
The Scientific Method is…
an orderly method for
gaining, organizing and
applying new knowledge. A
logical set of steps used to
solve a problem
Problem/Question
• What is it we are trying to
figure out or solve?
• May not be in question
format
6.Conclusion
3
What is a hypothesis?
A testable statement, can be
shown to be true or false
by experimentation or
observation.
Hypothesis--Examples
Bad
-Plants will grow
better when given
Miracle Grow
-Girls are smarter
than boys
-Hermit crabs like
colorful shells
Good – must be
specific/ measurable
-Plants will grow taller
than 6 inches when
given Miracle Grow
-Girls will score 10
points higher on
math tests than boys
-Hermit crabs choose
colorful shells over
white shells
Hypothesis
• Educated OPINION
• Possible answer to
question/problem
• We must first gather some
information before we can form a
hypothesis!
• “If…., Then…” statement
(whenever possible!)
A hypothesis is
then tested by
experimentation.
4
Experiment/Procedure
• Allows us to test our hypothesis
• Includes a list of materials to be
used AND the steps to follow
Experiment
Always includes 2 group
A.Control group
B.Experiment group
Experimental Design
• Write a very specific step wise plan to test
your hypothesis
• Describe the measurements and
observations you will be making
Control Group
To draw a conclusion
you need a control – a
standard for
comparison.
5
Control Group
Part A: Control Group
(“Normal Group”)
What does a control show?
• Control Group – receives no treatment,
used to compare
A control shows that your
result is related to the
condition being tested and
not some other condition
• Constants: parts of the experiment
that stay the same (you will have many
of these)
• Ex: Amount of sunlight, Type of soil,
Temperature, Humidity, etc.
Part B: Experimental Group
• Experimental Group- receives some kind of
treatment or condition
• Has EXPERIMENTAL factors that change
throughout the experiment
• You must have only ONE factor you are
changing
Experiment
Everything about the
two groups except
the factor you are
testing must remain
exactly the same
• EX. Amount of water given to plant
6
The factor that changes in the
experimental group is called
the VARIABLE.
There can be 2 kinds of
variables.
Variable 1: Independent
• This is the factor that is changed
or controlled by the scientist (you)
• The independent variable is
ALWAYS changed in the
experimental group.
• We call this the CAUSE
Variable 2: Dependent
Steps of Scientific Method
• This is the factor that changes as a
result of the independent variable.
Gather Data/Observations :
– Data and observations can be in
the form of
• Graphs
• Charts
• Words
• Etc
• We do NOT control how much this
changes!
• We call this the EFFECT.
7
Types of Data
There are 2 types of data you should
ALWAYS have when using the
scientific method.
1. Quantitative data
deals with NUMBERS (quantities)
2. Qualitative data
deals with WORDS (qualities)
Analysis
• This is where you EXPLAIN your results
Collecting, Analyzing &
Interpreting Data
• Data should always be
presented in a neat fashion,
usually tables or graphs
• analyze the data to look for
relationships, patterns and
trends
Conclusion
• Where you tell if your hypothesis was
correct or not.
• WHY did things happen?
• What mistakes did I make?
• If I were to do this again, how would I change
it?
• What should be my next step to form a more
complete answer to the original question?
• DO NOT SAY: Yes, my hypothesis was
correct.
• A conclusion is not necessarily the end
of the investigation.
8
Some Facts About Science…
-Scientists don't use the word "prove" because there
are no absolutes in science.
-conclusions assume it is only "true to the best of
our knowledge".
-This is the distinction between science and other
subjects.
-Science changes when new evidence is found.
-And while experimentation and observations can
provide strong evidence for a conclusion, it is not
absolute proof.
Plant Example Cont
Experiment:
–Control Group: Plant with same
amount of water every day (ex. 2
tablespoons)
–Experimental Group: Plants
receiving more or less water than
control (ex. None, 1, 3, 4, etc)
Plant Example
Problem: How does the amount of
water affect the growth of my plant?
Hypothesis: If I add more water, then
the plant will grow taller.
(If independent, then dependent)
Plant Example Cont
• Independent variable- Amount of water
(think: what are WE changing or
controlling?)
• Dependent variable: Height of plant
(Think: What is changing as a
result of the change above?)
9
Plant Example Cont
• Constants: What must stay the same
in both the experimental and control
groups?
–
–
–
–
amount of sunlight
amount of fertilizer
type of soil
temperature
Plant Example Cont
Analysis
• Why do you think you saw the results
you did?
• What science facts/research support
your findings?
• What is your next step?
• Mistakes/Next time
Plant Example Cont
Data and Observations
• Graph of amount of water vs. height
• Table with data
• Written observations: color of plants,
wilting, etc
Plant Example Cont
Conclusion
• Was your hypothesis correct or not?
• My results supported my hypothesis
because an increase in water resulted
in taller plants.
• My results did not support my
hypothesis because the plants were not
taller when given more water.
10