The Scientific Method

HAVE YOU EVER EXPERIENCED THESE….

6 Phases of a Project?1. Enthusiasm

2. Disillusionment

3. Panic

4. Search for the Guilty

5. Punishment of the Innocent

6. Praise and Honors for the Non-Participants

If you have experienced the 6 Phases of a Project…

The Scientific Method

can come toyour rescue!!!!!!!!!

Learning Objectives

• TLW plan and implement investigative procedures including asking questions, formulating testable hypotheses, and selecting equipment and technology

• TLW collect data and make measurements with precision

• TLW organize, analyze, evaluate, make inferences, and predict trends data

• TLW communicate valid conclusion• TLW analyze, review, and critique scientific

explanations, including hypotheses, and theories, as to their strengths and weaknesses using scientific evidence and information

• Chemistry TEKS 2.A., 2B, 2.C, 2.D, 2.E, 2.H, 2.I,3A.• Principles of Technology TEKS 3.A., 3.B, 3.C

AGENDA

• What is Science?• Brief Overview of the Types of Science• The Scientific Method

– Demonstrations, Comparisons, & Experiments– As Described Through Myth Busters & the

Lesson of the Fishing Lure– The Paper and the Penny Experiment

• Products of the Scientific Method• Review - Scientific Method Vocabulary,

Process, and Parts of Experiments• Lab – Blowing Up a Balloon without Air

I. What is Science

A. A process to answer questions

B. You use science everyday

C. It is an ever present

part of life

II. Types of SciencesA. Physics

Study of forces and energy

B. Chemistry

Study of matter and its changes

C. Biology

Study of living things

D. Earth Science

Study of the earth; geology, meteorology,

astronomy, etc

MythBusters

• The MythBusters guys comment on the scientific method

Link to http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/mythbusters-science-vs-scientific-method.html

III. The Scientific MethodA. Steps to follow to solve or

understand problemsB. The Steps

1. Problem – observe a problem or something interesting

* Formulate a question – – ask “how” or “why”– must be specific

Ex. Why does the silver lure catch more fish?

2. Research: find out as muchinformation; Answer pre-lab questions

3. Form a hypothesis – predict an answer to the

problem*must be in, “IF…, then…”

format (Ex. If the silver lure is used, then more fish will be caught)*Hypothesis must be testable

Observations, Questions and Hypotheses

Observations Scientific Questions

Possible Hypotheses

Ice floats at the top of a glass of water.

Why does ice float in liquid water?

If ice is less dense than water, then it floats

Blue jays and cardinals eat from a bird feeder in your yard, but robins do not

What kind of food do robins eat?

Do robins eat seeds?

If Robins do not eat seeds, then they eat worms

Observations, Questions and Hypotheses – You Try It

Observations Scientific Questions

Possible Hypotheses

Paper

Penny

Ways of Discovery• Demonstrations – simpler scientific method used to

show or confirm facts– For example: determine the density of a block of

wood

• Comparisons – scientific method to evaluate samples for likenesses and differences– For example: determine which is more dense a block

of cypress, oak, or teak wood

• Experiments – more rigorous test. See next slide

4. Experiment - Test the hypothesis

a. Experiments should be conducted at least 3

times

for repeatable, better data

b. Parts to the experiment:1) control – part of the

experiment that has no variables (Ex. Use a lure with no color to catch fish)

2) independent variable - the factor that you can changeEx. change the color of the lure- CHANGE ONE Variable at a

time

3) dependent variable – what you can measure

Ex. The number of fish caught

4) Ex. of experiment parts:

If oil is added to a door hinge, then the door will not squeak.

control – not adding oil

independent variable – oil

dependent variable – the squeak

REMEMBER……

• Change only one independent variable at a time

• Otherwise…. You won’t know which one impacted the dependent variable

• (Ex. Changing the color of the lure and the type of string)

Use the information in the table to answer the questions:

1. What is the independent variable?

Answer: gibberellin

2. What is the dependent variable?

Answer:height/growth

3. Which group is the control group?

Answer: Group1-no gibberellin added

Group Micrograms of

Gibberellin in a

Water solution

Average

Height in cm

1 0.00 20

2 0.05 40

3 0.10 60

4 0.25 70

5 0.50 75

6 1.00 80

7 2.00 80

5. Data and analysis: Observe and collect data from the experiment.

• Analyze the data and organize it using tables, charts, graphs

Color of Lure Number of Fish Caught

No color 4

Green 6

Silver 10

6. Form a conclusion – • Determine an answer from data analysis

Ex. - The silver lure caught the most fish• Maybe find a new problem

-- Which lure caught the biggest fish?• Answer post-lab questions• May include written and/or oral reports

THERE IS NEVER AN EXPERIMENT THAT FAILS

A predicted solution to a problem that is testable

c

Experiment/Procedure

Problem

IV. Products of Scientific Method

A. Theory

1. A logical explanation of events that happen

in nature

2. A theory has been tested

3. A theory is a possible explanation

4. A theory is not 100%

B. A law1. A theory that has been

tested many times and is accepted as true

2. a summary of an observed natural event

3. Not necessarily 100%, accepted - but

never proven wrong

Review What We’ve Learned

• Independent Practice– Science Word Search– Planning Investigations Worksheet

Lab

• Together the class will review the steps to the lab

• Discuss potential hazards, precautions, and PPE

• Divide into Periodic Groups and work in teams to complete experiment

• Complete lab guide• Turn in completed lab guides by teams• Discuss findings