The Scientific Method 5 th Grade

1. The Scientific Method5th Grade

2. What is the Scientific Method? • The Scientific Method involves a series of steps that are used to investigate a natural occurrence.

3. The Steps 1. Problem/Question: Develop a question or problem that can be solved through experimentation.

4. Problem/Question • Scientists often decide on the problems or mysteries they want to solve. Usually, scientists come up with questions by looking at the world around them. "Hey look! What's that?“ • Example: Have you ever wondered why the plant grows toward the window?

5. The Steps 2. Observation/Research: Make observations and research your topic of interest.

6. Observation/Research • Have you ever noticed if you place a plant near a window, that after a while, the plant grows or leans toward the window?

7. The Steps 3. Formulate a Hypothesis: Predict a possible answer to the problem or question.

8. Hypothesis • What reasons or factors can you list that might cause a plant to lean or grow toward a window? For example, do you think that  • Example:Ifit is true that plants respond to the light and I grow a plant in the dark, thenI should see a difference or change in the direction the plant is growing/leaning.

9. The Steps 4. Experiment: Develop and follow a procedure. - Include a detailed materials list. - The outcome must be measurable (quantifiable).

10. Experiment • For ten days, we will place 4 live flowers in a completely dark cupboard, while the other 4 flowers will be placed in a window sill. This is, thus, the control group, and the flowers in the cupboard are the experimental group. Because there are four flowers, that both makes it a true group and makes sure there is adequate replication in this experiment.

11. The Steps 5. Collect and Analyze Results: Modify the procedure if needed. Confirm the results by retesting. Include tables, graphs, and photographs.

12. Collect and Analyze Results: • The experiment is a bit weak. All that is specified, data-wise is a general physical inspection at the end of the ten days to see which flowers subjectively, looks the most healthy. Based on the physical inspection at the end of the ten days, the “data” were that the four flowers in the window sill appeared “healthier and better nourished”, than those which were placed in the cupboard ended up trailing over the side of the pot.

13. The Steps 6. Conclusion: Include a statement that accepts or rejects the hypothesis. Make recommendations for further study and possible improvements to the procedure.

14. Conclusion • Based on the data (the observed differences in appearance), it was concluded that plants need sunlight to grow healthy and strong, and thus keeping them from light will grow in a different direction or lean. Also, it is not a very good idea and will kill the plants.

15. The Steps 7. Communicate the Results: Be prepared to present the project to an audience. Expect questions from the audience.

16. Communicate the Results • This is an example of how you could share your results. You will have an opportunity to create one of these later in the year for the Science Fair.

17. Let’s Practice • Every good detective has a specific method that they use every single time they solve crimes. In the story “The Case of the Ruined Roses”, Max and Nina use a method that’s identical to the one scientists use, The Scientific Method.

18. “The Case of the Ruined Roses”

19. Work with a partner • Now go through the story and fill in your Scientific Method sheet with the information.

20. Question • Question: Nina asked, “Who could have done it?” This means putting the question you want to answer or problem you want to solve into words.

21. Observation • Observation: The first thing Max and Nina did was look at the roses, the scene of the crime. This means looking, listening to, and otherwise evaluating the situation in order to identify a problem, issue, or question.

22. Hypothesis • Hypothesis: Nina said, “I'll bet one of them (the benched players) did it to get even.”This means coming up with a reasonable answer to your question or problem, one that you will be testing.

23. Experiment • Procedure: Max and Nina decide to question the three benched players to see who didn’t have an alibi between 9-10.This is the design of your experiment, or how you will test your hypothesis. • Experimentation: Max and Nina interviewed the players by asking them questions about what they did between 9-10.This is carrying out your experiment and gathering data.

24. Collect and Analyze • Gather materials, data, and research: Max and Nina talked to the coach. This is background research to further determine the nature of the problem, what’s already known about it, and the steps others might have already taken in order to solve it. • Collect results (data interpretation): Max noted all three players’ alibis in his notebook.The process of recording your data. • Analyze results to hypothesis: Nina and Max discussed the case by going over the notes.Examining the data to see if it supports your hypothesis.

25. Conclusion • Conclusion: Solution. What are your results? Was your hypothesis correct or not?

26. How did Nina figure it out? Sam taped the program on UFO's and had almost finished watching it when Max and Nina showed up. He was accurate in discussing it with Nina except for the last part, which he hadn't seen yet. He admitted being so angry with Coach Thornton that he pulled up his roses. He apologized to the coach and promised to do extra yard work for him.