Scientific Method How Scientists Do Science

Science is A process of Discovery Determining Cause and Effect

A process of Discovery

Determining Cause and Effect

How does this work?

Watch out for BOLD vocabulary words!

Watch out for BOLD vocabulary words!

Scientific Method Observation – uses 5 senses, a fact Inference – Why do I think (what ever I observed) happened? Hypothesis – Statement of reasonable guess what happened “ If….then….”

Observation – uses 5 senses, a fact

Inference – Why do I think (what ever I observed) happened?

Hypothesis – Statement of reasonable guess what happened

“ If….then….”

Scientific Method (cont.) Controlled Experiment – way of testing the hypothesis/guess More on this…. Conclusion – seeing if the data from the experiment agrees with the hypothesis It’s ok if it doesn’t!

Controlled Experiment – way of testing the hypothesis/guess

More on this….

Conclusion – seeing if the data from the experiment agrees with the hypothesis

It’s ok if it doesn’t!

Lets put Science into Action Observation Inference Hypothesis Controlled Experiment Conclusion

Observation

Inference

Hypothesis

Controlled Experiment

Conclusion

Controlled Experiment The heart of science Eliminates other causes so we can link a single cause with a single event.

The heart of science

Eliminates other causes so we can link a single cause with a single event.

Controlled Experiment Hypothesis: If the water is polluted , then the fish will die . Cause: Pollution Effect: Death Set up 2 groups to test the hypothesis Control Group : Normal Conditions No pollution in the water Experimental Group : Change one thing Put pollution in the water

Hypothesis: If the water is polluted , then the fish will die .

Cause: Pollution

Effect: Death

Set up 2 groups to test the hypothesis

Control Group : Normal Conditions

No pollution in the water

Experimental Group : Change one thing

Put pollution in the water

Controlled Experiment Independent Variable – What have I changed? Presence or absense of pollution Dependent Variable – What will I measure ? Number of dead fish

Independent Variable – What have I changed?

Presence or absense of pollution

Dependent Variable – What will I measure ?

Number of dead fish

Controlled Experiment Synonyms Ex Fish Deaths Effect Responding Variable Dependent Variable Ex. Pollution Cause Manipulated Variable Independent Variable

Other parts of an experiment Controlled Variables – all the other stuff that could effect the experiment. This has to be kept the same between the experimental and control groups.

Controlled Variables – all the other stuff that could effect the experiment.

This has to be kept the same between the experimental and control groups.

Data – Chart form 20 live fish, 30 dead fish Pollution 43 live fish, 2 dead fish No Pollution Dependent Variable Independent Variable

Data – Graph form X axis – Independent Variable – Quantity of Pollution Y axis – Dependent Variable – Number of live fish

We will spend more time on graphing as it is ALWAYS on the Regents…and also on your test.

We will spend more time on graphing as it is ALWAYS on the Regents…and also on your test.

Use the Data to draw a Conclusion Hypothesis: If the water is polluted , then the fish will die . Does the data agree (confirm) or disagree (refute) our hypothesis? It is ok to disprove a hypothesis. What else might be going on?

Hypothesis: If the water is polluted , then the fish will die .

Does the data agree (confirm) or disagree (refute) our hypothesis?

It is ok to disprove a hypothesis. What else might be going on?

Are there any new questions that could be asked? Creative Thinking is Key! Be Curious About the World

Science builds on prior knowledge There is always more to learn! Experiment Experiment New questions New Questions New Experiment New Experiment More new Questions More New Questions More new questions More new questions

There is always more to learn!

A few more terms Theory – an accumulated body of knowledge that is well tested and unifies a broad range of observations Gene-Chromosome Theory of Genetics Cell Theory of Life Evolutionary Theory Law – an accepted fact Law of Gravity

Theory – an accumulated body of knowledge that is well tested and unifies a broad range of observations

Gene-Chromosome Theory of Genetics

Cell Theory of Life

Evolutionary Theory

Law – an accepted fact

Law of Gravity