Scientific MethodScientific Method

How problems get solved!!!How problems get solved!!!

HypothesisHypothesis

A prediction that can be tested.A prediction that can be tested. Guess???Guess???

VariableVariable

Factor tested Factor tested in an in an experimentexperiment

ControlControl

Standard used to compare Standard used to compare with the outcome of a test.with the outcome of a test.

We do nothing to a control.We do nothing to a control.

TheoryTheory

An explanation An explanation of things or of things or events based events based on many on many observations.observations.

Not a guessNot a guess Supported by Supported by

datadata

LawLaw

Large amounts of Large amounts of repeating data that repeating data that never never changechange..

VERYVERY few laws in science few laws in science

Think About It???Think About It???

Can you Can you think of a think of a law in law in science???science???

Hint: AppleHint: Apple

Gravity………Gravity………PredictablePredictable

What will happen What will happen next???next??? You are swimming in the ocean and You are swimming in the ocean and

from the depths comes a large from the depths comes a large silhouette. It is a shark swimming silhouette. It is a shark swimming right at you. This is the biggest shark right at you. This is the biggest shark you have ever seen. It is almost 45 you have ever seen. It is almost 45 feet. (Jaws was only 25 feet) You feet. (Jaws was only 25 feet) You close your eyes and prepare for what close your eyes and prepare for what is about to happen next. is about to happen next.

What will happen next?What will happen next?

ThisThis

Or ThisOr This

Scientific MethodScientific Method

The method The method scientists use scientists use solve solve problemsproblems

Occurs in 6 Occurs in 6 stepssteps

Warm Up Questions???

1. What is a hypothesis? 2. Why do we have so few laws in

science? 3. Why do we need to have a control

when conducting an experiment? 4. What is the 4th step in the scientific

method? 5. Can we say a hypothesis is true or

false?

Step 1Step 1

State the State the problemproblem

Step 2Step 2

Gather Gather informationinformation

Step 3Step 3

Form a Form a hypothesishypothesis

Step 4Step 4

Perform an Perform an experiment experiment

Step 5Step 5

Analyze dataAnalyze data

Step 6Step 6

Draw Draw ConclusionsConclusions

Fish that swam Fish that swam away survivedaway survived

Fish that Fish that stayed put stayed put were eatenwere eaten

2 Possible Outcomes2 Possible Outcomes

1. Hypothesis is supported1. Hypothesis is supported– Repeat experimentRepeat experiment

2. Hypothesis is not 2. Hypothesis is not supportedsupported– Revise hypothesis Revise hypothesis

Think about it???Think about it???

Why can’t we say our Why can’t we say our hypothesis is right or hypothesis is right or wrong???wrong???

State Problem

Gather Information

Form Hypothesis

Perform Experiment

Analyze Results

Draw Conclusions

Hypothesis Supported

Hypothesis Not

Supported

Problem 1Problem 1

Billy is a 7Billy is a 7thth grade science grade science student. He never does his student. He never does his homework or lab reports. He homework or lab reports. He has just gotten his report card has just gotten his report card and his first 9 weeks grade is and his first 9 weeks grade is a 52%. a 52%.

Problem 2Problem 2

You take your dog Fido for his You take your dog Fido for his daily walk. After you get home daily walk. After you get home you notice that Fido is itching and you notice that Fido is itching and scratching himself quite often. scratching himself quite often. That night Fido is up all night That night Fido is up all night howling and scratching. His skin howling and scratching. His skin is irritated and he has scratched is irritated and he has scratched a good bit of his fur off.a good bit of his fur off.

Problem 3Problem 3

It takes Mr. Colonna 25 minutes to get to It takes Mr. Colonna 25 minutes to get to work. It takes Miss. Sonnie 35 minutes to work. It takes Miss. Sonnie 35 minutes to get to work. They both live in the same get to work. They both live in the same neighborhood. Miss Sonnie takes the neighborhood. Miss Sonnie takes the back roads while Mr. Colonna takes the back roads while Mr. Colonna takes the parkway. Miss Sonnie can not figure out parkway. Miss Sonnie can not figure out why Mr. Colonna always beats her to why Mr. Colonna always beats her to work even though they leave at the same work even though they leave at the same time. time.

Using the scientific method, come up with Using the scientific method, come up with a reason and solution for Miss. Sonnie. a reason and solution for Miss. Sonnie.

1.2.3.4.5.6.7.

Arrange the following in correct order from smallest to greatest. Organs, Tissues, Cells, and

Systems.

_________ _______ ________ _________

Problem 4Problem 4

Miss. Sonnie loves her third period Miss. Sonnie loves her third period class. In fact she loves them so class. In fact she loves them so much that before every test she much that before every test she gives them a review packet to gives them a review packet to study. She does not give this study. She does not give this packet to any other class. Miss packet to any other class. Miss Sonnie’s 3Sonnie’s 3rdrd period class has an A period class has an A average while the rest of her average while the rest of her classes have a C average. classes have a C average.

Problem 5Problem 5

Work with your partner and come Work with your partner and come up with a problem that you could up with a problem that you could solve using the scientific method.solve using the scientific method.

Ex. My brother stole my ipodEx. My brother stole my ipod Ex. My dog ate my homeworkEx. My dog ate my homework Ex. My car was stolenEx. My car was stolen Use your imagination!!!!!Use your imagination!!!!!

Think About It???Think About It???

Why do we need a control in any Why do we need a control in any experiment???experiment???