The document discusses the scientific method, which is a set of procedures scientists follow to solve problems. It involves 7 key steps: 1) defining the problem, 2) collecting data, 3) drawing a hypothesis, 4) planning and performing an experiment, 5) collecting and recording observations, 6) drawing a conclusion, and 7) communicating findings. The document provides examples and explanations of each step, including defining variables, designing valid experiments, and types of measurements and data.

1. Scientific Problem Solving
Scientific Method

2. The world is full of problems!

3. Scientific Method
A set of procedures a scientist would follow in
solving a problem!

4. Scientific Method
1. Define the Problem

5. Scientific Method
2. Collect Data on the Problem

6. What is Data?
Information from which conclusions can be made.

7. Scientific Method
3. Draw a Hypothesis

8. Scientific Method
What is a Hypothesis
An Educated Guess!

9. Scientific Method
Choose ALL of the statements below that are
stated as a hypothesis.
Baking powder is used in biscuits.
The brighter the color of an orange, the juicier the
fruit.
Brass contains copper and zinc.
Most apples are red, but some are yellow.
The faster a river flows, the greater the erosion.

10. Scientific Method
Some chickens lay an egg every day. Other chickens
produce few eggs. A study is planned to examine factors
that might affect the number of eggs produced by
chickens.
Which of the following is NOT a suitable hypothesis for
the study?

11. Scientific Method
If chickens receive more hours of light, then they will
produce more eggs.
If more eggs are produced by chickens, then they lose
more weight.
If the cage for chickens is larger, then they will produce
more eggs.
If there is more protein in the feed, then more eggs are
produced.

12. Scientific Method
4. Plan & Perform an Experiment

13. Scientific Method
For an Experiment to be VALID, it needs
A Control Group
A Test Group

14. Scientific Method
Students in a science class placed ice cubes in a cup. They
were studying variables that affected how long it takes the
ice to melt.

15. Scientific Method
Select the variable that would most likely NOT affect the
time it takes the ice to melt.
Size of cup
Number of students
Size of ice cube
Temperature of the room

16. Scientific Method
Example
A student pours 100 mL of hot water carefully into one
beaker and pours 100 mL of cold water into another
beaker. He drops a lump of sugar into each beaker and
times how long it will take each sugar cube to dissolve. Will
this experiment show the effect water temperature has on
the rate at which sugar dissolves?
To be VALID, there can only be 1 VARIABLE!

17. Scientific Method
A student pours 100 mL of hot water carefully into one
beaker and pours 100 mL of cold water into another
beaker. He drops a lump of sugar into each beaker and
times how long it will take each sugar cube to dissolve. Will
this experiment show the effect water temperature has on
the rate at which sugar dissolves?

18. Scientific Method
Example
A scientist designs an experiment to see if plants need
sunshine to grow. Twenty four growing plants are placed
in a dark closet. Two weeks later, all the plants are dead.
Does this experiment prove that plants need sunshine?
To be VALID, there can only be 1 VARIABLE!

19. Scientific Method
There are 2 types of Variables?
Dependent Variable
Independent Variable

20. Scientific Method
Dependent Variable
What you measure in an experiment.
What is being affected during an experiment.

21. Scientific Method
A group of identical plants are grown with different
nitrogen levels.

22. Scientific Method
What is the dependent variable?
Plant Height
Nitrogen Level

23. Scientific Method
Independent Variable
This is what is changed to test a hypothesis.
What is causing the affect during an experiment.

24. Scientific Method
A group of identical plants are grown with different
colors of light.

25. Scientific Method
What is the Independent Variable?
Color of Light
Plant Height

26. Scientific Method
What is the Independent Variable in this experiment?

27. Scientific Method
Independent Variable = Soil Type

28. Scientific Method
5. Collect & Record Your Observations

29. Measurements
Qualitative
Non-Numerical
Can be observed but not measured!

30. Measurements
Quanitative
Numerical
Can be observed and measured!

31. Qualitative or Quantitative?
Mass
Size
pH
Color
Salt deposits form.

32. Accuracy & Precision
Accuracy refers to the closeness of measurements to the
correct or accepted value of the quantity measured.

33. Accuracy & Precision
Precision refers to the closeness of a set of measurements of
the same quantity made in the same way.

34. Accurate &/or Precise?

35. Power of the Graph!
Chart Graph
Organizes Data ☺ ☺
Displays Data ☺ ☺
Predicts Data ☺

36. Scientific Method
6. Draw a Conclusion

37. Scientific Theory
Represents a hypotheses, or a group of related
hypotheses, which has been confirmed through
repeated experimental tests.

38. Scientific Method
A student decides to set up an experiment to see if cats
preferred skim milk or 2%milk. She put out a cup of milk
and a cup of 2%milk. Both milks were served at the same
temperature. She then measured which type and how
much milk her 5 kittens drank over the course of a day.
The student discovered that the cats liked the 2% more
than the skim milk.
What is wrong with the above experiment?

39. Scientific Method
7. Communicate Your Findings

40. Scientific Method