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Objective

Develop a proper hypothesis

Warm-Up

1.Give an example of a good resource.

2.What are two types of questions?

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Hypothesis

Introduction Unit

+Steps of the Inquiry Process

1. Make Observations

2. Ask Questions

3. Gather Research

4. Write a Hypothesis

5. Design Experiment

6. Gather Data/Experiment

7. Analyze Data

8. Draw Conclusions

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STEP 4: Stating a Hypothesis Hypothesis: A possible explanation for a question or a

problem; a prediction. Your hypothesis should be testable. Your hypothesis should be specific.

A hypothesis is testable if: It is the answer to the question proposed. It can be tested in a lab or observed in a field. The results will be in quantified data. It is supported by observation and facts already known.

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A properly written hypothesis has an independent and dependent variable. Independent variable (IV): is the variable that you change

in the lab. Dependent variable (DV): is the variable that is affected by

the independent variable.

Example: Question: Does the amount of sunlight a plant receive

affect how tall the plant will grow? Hypothesis: The more sunlight a plant receives the taller it

will grow.

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For example: Question: Does the mass of a ball affect how high it will

bounce?

Hypothesis: The more mass a ball has the higher it will

bounce.

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When writing a hypothesis, DO NOT “sit on the fence,” be specific.

For example which hypothesis is better? The amount of water a plant receives affects the growth of

a plant.

OR The more water a plant receives the taller it will grow.

+Activity 1: Hypothesis Rotations

At each station, there will be a task. You are to complete the given task and record everything in your science notebook.

You and your partner will be given 3 minutes at each station.

There are a total of 16 stations.

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Experimental Design

Introduction Unit

+Steps of the Inquiry Process

1. Make Observations

2. Ask Questions

3. Gather Research

4. Write a Hypothesis

5. Design Experiment

6. Gather Data/Experiment

7. Analyze Data

8. Draw Conclusions

+The Inquiry Process Continued

STEP 5: Designing an Experiment The first step in designing an experiment is to define your

variables. A variable is:

Anything capable of having more than one value Anything capable of changing

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Continuous Variables – have many values like height (cm) or age (yrs)

Discontinuous Variables – have only one, two or three variables like gender and handedness

+Classroom Examples…

Student height _____

Student gender _____

Time it takes to run a mile _____

A person’s health _____

Number of times people as you out _____

Length of a meter _____

Distance light travels in one second _____

+In Class Practice

Hypothesis:

The more water given to a plant the faster it will grow.

Hypothesis:

The more time spent studying the higher the grade.

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• There are three types of variables in a controlled experiment:

1. Independent Variables (IV)

2. Dependent Variable (DV)

3. Extraneous Variable (EV): Variables the might have an effect of the DV so they need to remain the same in your experiment. (constants)

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Example With the hypothesis:

The more water a plant receives the faster it will grow.

What are some variables that must remain the same?

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An experimental control group This group does not receive the change from the

independent variable.

Example: Hypothesis: The more potato chips you eat the higher your

math scores. The control would be a group of students that don’t eat

potato chips.

+ Experimental Design Chart: Organizes your variables.

Variables

Group 1 Group 2 Control

IV Amount of Potato Chips (1/2 cup)

Amount of Potato Chips (2 cups)

No Potato Chips

DV Math Scores Math Scores Math Scores

EV Same Math Class

Same Math Class Same Math Class

EV Gender Gender Gender

EV When the test is taken

When the test is taken

When the test is taken

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The second step in your experimental design is to write your step-by-step procedures. You must include as much detail as possible. It must be written so anyone could reproduce the

experiment the same way you designed it.

+PB&J Sandwich Activity