Scientific Inquiry and Skills

1. Scientific Inquiry and Skills Aim: What is the Scientific Method? Do Now: Brainstorm: If we were to conduct a good science experiment what do we think the parts would consist of? Homework #2-Actively read and take notes on a separate sheet of paper Chapter 1 pgs 10-12 in Holt Biology Textbook

2. What is Science? • Science is a body of knowledge and a way of knowing things • Evidence: support for the idea that something is true

3. Think Pair-Share: What are current scientific theories that have been supported by evidence? Do we think that the evidence is valid, believable? -Work with a partner next to you at at your table to discuss these questions and take notes. -Be prepared to share your responses with the class Independent Practice:

4. Scientific Inquiry • Questioning • Observing and inferring • Experimenting • Collecting and organizing data • Finding evidence and drawing conclusions • Repeating the experiment several times • Peer review

5. Scientific Method • The scientific method can be divided into six stages: • 1.Observation: Careful observation of a process or phenomenon • 2.Hypothesis: Educated guess regarding the observation • If more than one guess, alternative hypotheses are formed

6. Scientific Method • 3.Prediction: Expected consequences based on the correct hypothesis • 4.Testing: The hypothesis is tested through an experiment

7. Scientific Method • 5.Controls: A factor that influences a process is called a variable. There are two types of variables: • Dependent Variable: what you will measure • Independent Variable: factors that would influence the dependent variable

8. On a separate sheet of paper for your exit pass, explain in your own words, each of the steps covered in the scientific method: • 1.Observation • 2. Hypothesis • 3. Prediction • 4. Testing • 5. Controls

9. Aim: What is the scientific method? • Do Now: What is the difference between the dependent and the independent variable? • Dependent Variable: what you will measure • Independent Variable: factors that would influence the dependent variable

10. Scientific Method • In a controlled experiment, all variables remain constant • Control: reference point, used as a standard of comparison • 6. Conclusion: Based on the results of the experiment, a hypothesis is either accepted or rejected

11. Aim: How can we use the scientific method to design our own experiments? • Do Now: Why is it important to have a control in your experiment?

12. Scientific Method • Controlled Experiment: all the possible variables have been considered and regulated so the results are ONLY because of what you are changing.

14. Now you will design your own scientific experiment • The Problem: Which area of Staten Island is the most polluted? • On the next page is a guide of the steps you will use in order to conduct this scientific experiment • This week, we will complete a lab assignment using the scientific method

16. Aim: How can we use our knowledge of the scientific method to answer Regent questions? • Do Now: How can we make our experiments as accurate as possible?

17. You are the head of the research division of the Leafy Lettuce Company. Your company is experimenting with growing lettuce using hydroponic technology. Hydroponic technology involves growing plants in containers of growth solution in a greenhouse. No soil is used. The growth solution that the company uses contains water, nitrogen, and phosphorus. The company wants to know if adding iron to this formula will improve lettuce growth. • Based on the given information and your knowledge of biology, briefly describe how to test the effect of the formula with iron added. In your description, be sure to:- state a hypothesis to be tested in the new experiment- state how the control group will be treated differently from the experimental group- identify two factors that must be kept the same in both the experimental and control groups- state what type of data should be collected to support or refute the hypothesis

19. Aim: How can we use our knowledge of the Scientific Method to answer Regent questions? • Do Now: In any scientific experiment how does the control group differ from the experimental group?

20. The drugs usually used to treat high blood pressure do not affect blood vessels in the lungs. Bosentan is a new drug being studied as a treatment for high blood pressure in the lungs. In an experiment, patients treated with bosentan showed an improvement in the distance they could walk without fatigue within 12 weeks. • Design an experiment to test the effectiveness of bosentan as a drug to treat high blood pressure in the lungs. In your answer be sure to: • state the hypothesis your experiment will test • state how the control group will be treated differently from the experimental group • state two factors that must be kept the same in both the experimental and control groups • state the type of data that should be collected to determine if the hypothesis is supported

21. An experiment was designed to see what effects ibuprofen would have on laboratory mice. Large numbers of male mice and an equal number of female mice were used in this investigation. The male mice were placed in an area with food and water. The female mice were placed in a separate area of the same size. The female mice were given additional food and water. The males were each given 100 milligrams of ibuprofen each day, mixed with their food, and the females were each given 50 milligrams of ibuprofen each day, mixed with their food. • Identify two errors in the design of this investigation. [2]

22. Many people who are in favor of alternative medicine claim that large doses of vitamin C introduced into a vein speed up the healing of surgical wounds. Describe an experiment to test this hypothesis. Your answer must include at least: • • the difference between the experimental group of subjects and the control group [1] • • two conditions that must be kept constant in both groups [2] • • data that should be collected [1] • • an example of experimental results that would support the hypothesis [1]

23. Design an experiment consisting of a control and three different experimental groups to test the prediction, Garlic grows better as the salt concentration of the solution in which it is grown increases. In your answer, be sure to: • the difference between the experimental group of subjects and the control group [1] • two conditions that must be kept constant in both groups [2] • data that should be collected [1] • an example of experimental results that would support the hypothesis [1]

24. Collecting and Organizing Data • Data: results of trials and test completed during the experiment • Data Table • Checklist • Title the table a way that relates the dependent and independent variable • Column headings need units • Independent variable is recorded in increasing order

25. Graphs • Rule 1: Dependent variable is plotted on the vertical (y axis) • Rule 2: Independent variable is plotted on the horizontal (x axis) • Rule 3: Spacing between numbers on both axes must be equal

27. Conclusion: decision made about the outcome of an experiment; based on how well the prediction matches the actual result • Model: way of explaining or demonstrating what is happening and what might happen in future situations

28. Peer Review: several scientists examine the details of an experiment • Claims should be questioned if: • Data is based on samples that are biased, small or inadequately controlled • Conclusions are based on faulty or incomplete numbers • Fact and opinion are intermingled • Adequate evidence is not cited • Conclusions do not logically follow the evidence

29. Aim: Why is the process of peer review so important? • Do Now: The problem: Do cell phones cause brain cancer? Make a hypothesis, and procedure for testing this experiment. If Nokia carries out this experiment, is it fair? Why or why not?

30. Scientific Inquiry • Questioning • Observing and inferring • Experimenting • Collecting and organizing data • Finding evidence and drawing conclusions • Repeating the experiment several times • Peer review

31. Scientific Thought • Scientific thought involves making observations, using evidence to draw conclusions, being skeptical about ideas, and being open to change when new discoveries are made. • Scientists carefully observe the world and then ask questions about what they observe. • Scientific thought requires skepticism. Skepticism is a habit of mind in which a person questions the validity of accepted ideas. • Scientific discoveries can change the way people view the world.

32. Universal Laws • Science is governed by truths that are valid everywhere in the universe. These truths are called universal laws. • Though branches of science address different aspects of the natural world, universal laws apply to all branches of science and every person.

33. Science and Ethics • Ethics are a system of moral principles and values. • Scientific experimentation and discovery can have serious ethical implications. Because of this, scientific investigations require ethical behavior. • Scientists performing investigations must report only accurate data, must allow peers to review their work, and must behave ethically with the people involved in their investigations.

34. Homework: Make a review sheet of vocabulary words for upcoming test on Thursday.