Scientific Method: Steps to Problem-Solving
Discover the systematic approach of scientific inquiry through observation, research, hypothesis, experiment, data analysis, and conclusion. Learn the key concepts of variables and how to conduct investigations effectively.
Scientific Method: Steps to Problem-Solving
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Snapshot • What do you think of when you see the words: Scientific Method K W L LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
LS.1 Scientific Inquiry The student will plan and conduct investigations
Scientific Method • Series of organized steps used to solve a problem • Used by scientists and people around the world • 6 main steps • Observation & Stating the Problem • Research • Hypothesis • Experiment • Analyze Data • Conclusion LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
1. Observation & Stating the Problem • Observation • All 5 senses (sight, smell, hearing, feeling, taste) • Gather information (just the facts) • Ex. The board is black • Stating the Problem • What could change or what causes what was observed? • Infer • Use observation & what you know to state what has happened • Ex. The board may be black b/c it doesn’t have chalk on it. LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
Observation Practice LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
2. Research • Gathering information • About the problem • Experiments others have done • Print • Books • Science journals/ magazines • Non-print • People • Internet LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
3. Hypothesis • Educated guess • Based on research • If…. then statement • Shows how two variables are related • Variables • Things that can change in an experiment • 3 types • Independent • Dependent • Controlled/Constants LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
Variables • Independent • You change on purpose • Manipulated variable • IV • Control • Shows that its only the IV that causes the effect • Receives none of the IV (no change) • The standard used to compare with the outcome in an experiment • Dependent • Reacts/ responds to changing IV • DV • What you measure in an experiment • Controlled Variable= constants • Things that can change, but you do not allow them to LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
Quiz 1 • An observation uses _____ to gather information. • The _______ is changed on purpose in an experiment. • A ________ is an educated guess. • Anything that can change in an experiment is called a _______. LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
Journal 1 • Make a scientific observation of this classroom. LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
Snapshot What are the three kinds of variables? This screen will disappear in 3 minutes. Seconds Remaining: 70 130 120 50 140 30 40 10 60 8 7 6 9 5 4 3 2 0 180 80 20 160 90 150 170 100 110 1 LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
Format for Writing a Hypothesis • If the __IV____(changes this way)__, then the __DV__ will ___(change this way)___. • Ex. Plants in the sun seem grow taller than plants in the shade. • IV = amount of sunlight • DV= height of plant • Hypothesis: • If the amount of sunlight increases then the plants height will increase. LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
4. Experiment • Procedures used to test a hypothesis • at least 3 trials for each type of IV • Has Constants • Not allowed to change • Make more accurate • Gives data • Quantitative • Qualitative LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
5. Analyze Data • Organize data into charts and graphs • Easier to see relationships • Easier to look at LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
Charts & Tables • Title • The effect of _IV_on_DV_ • IV goes on left column • DV or results go on right column • Mean = average The Effect of Amount of Sunlight on Height of Plant LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
Charts & Tables • Title • The effect of _IV_on_DV_ • IV goes on left column • DV or results go on right column • Mean = average The Effect of Amount of Sunlight on Height of Plant LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
Visual / picture of data 3 Types– look at IV to determine type Line If IV is quantitative or continuous an amount of something Numbers, years, etc Bar If IV is qualitative A type of something Names, kinds, etc Pie Used to show percentages Graphs LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
Setting up Graphs • Title • The effect of _IV_on_DV_ • Label each axis • X-axis (horizontal) = IV • Y-axis (vertical) = DV • Choose type of graph • Set scale/ increments • Same number between each line • Plot points The Effect of Amount of Sunlight on Height of Plant Y X LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
Snapshot • Temperature may cause leaves to change color. • IV= __________ • DV= __________ • Label the axis correctly LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
Quiz 2 • Bacterial growth may be affected by temperature. • IV= __________ • DV= __________ • Hypothesis:_________________________ • Label the axis correctly LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
Snapshot • List the steps of the scientific method in order. • Which step involves using all 5 senses to gather information? • Which step is based on observation & research? LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
Snapshot • Make a graph and table of the following data: • The height of a tree was measured over a number of years • 4 yrs- 1meter, 8 yrs-2 m, 12yrs -3m, 16yrs-9 m, 18 yrs-16m LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
The Effect of # of Years on Height of Tree (m) LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
6. Conclusion • Did the data support the hypothesis? • Never says right or wrong • Ex. • The data supported the hypothesisin that_________________________________. • Share with others. LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
SI System • Systeme Internationale d’Unites • Used by scientists all around the world • Metric system • Base ten (uses prefixes) LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
SI Unit of Mass • Amount of matter in an object • Base Unit • Gram (g) • Lab tool • Triple beam balance • Spring scale • Double pan balance LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
SI Unit of Volume • Amount of space an object takes up • Base Unit • Liters (L) • Cubic centimeter (cc) • Solids • Length x width x height • Tools • Graduated cylinder • Beakers • flasks LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
SI Unit of Length • Distance between two points • Base Unit • Meter (m) • Lab Tool • Metric ruler • Meter stick LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations
Model • Scaled version of an original • Used when original is too: • large • small • expensive to see or experiment on. • Ex. Globe, map, toy car LS.1 a-j The student will plan and conduct investigations