Science starts with a question Science a specific, methodical process of

answering a question Science can only answer questions about

things that can be observed & measured

Science starts with an observation Then a question is asked based upon the

observation Next a hypothesis is formulated

• Example: notice male birds are more brightly colored than female birds

• Ask “why”• Hypothesis: If females like bright males, then

males that are brighter will have more offspring, because females choose them more often.

Left side: How do you write a hypothesis?

1. Conduct an experiment to test the hypothesis

2. Collect data3. Analyze data4. Make a conclusion 5. Share results

Test only one thing at a time: the variable (what changes)• Independent variable: what the

researcher controls (how much water a plant gets)

• Dependent variable: what changes as a result of the experiment (how tall the plant grows)

• Control variables: Keep as many things the same as possible (anything that can affect the results – sunlight, soil type, etc.)

Have a large sample sizeLeft side: hypothesis is IF the independent variable has an effect THEN the dependent variable will respond in this way, write your own hypothesis why more male birds have bright colors

Scientists can collect two types of data Quantitative – factors that can be

measured and represented with numbers. Qualitative- factors that cannot be

described with numbers

Left side: Look at the picture of the plants. What is a quantitative trait that you could measured and a qualitative trait that you could described about these plants?

Law – What happens Theory- Why & how it happens

• For example- The law of gravity says larger objects pull smaller ones towards them. Einstein’s theory of Space-time explains why that happens.

Left side How are you going to remember the difference between a hypothesis, Law, and theory?

Mathematics - the “language” of Science Models - used to represent things that

are too large, too complex, or too small to study directly

Left side Think of a model used in science not pictured here.

1. What are the first 2 steps in the scientific method?

2. What is the difference between a dependent and independent variable?

3. What is the format for writing a hypothesis?