The Scientific Method

1. The Scientific Method Mrs. Turner Borrowed from Mrs. Layton Adapted from Mindy Semple’s presentation: “Integrating the Scientific Method and the Science Fair”

2. 1) Ask a testable question. I wonder… Learn more

3. 2) Form a hypothesis. I think… Learn more

4. 3) Plan the procedure and gather materials. I’ll try… Learn more

5. 4) Conduct an investigation to gather data. I do… Learn more

6. 5) Record and interpret data. I see… Learn more

7. 6) Write a conclusion. I learned… Learn more

8. Testable questions • NOT based on someone’s opinion • NOT answerable just by research • NOT so broad that there are more than one answer Let’s try it! – Changing Sounds investigation Go to the next step

9. Hypotheses • An educated guess to answer your question • If __(this happens)__, then __(this will happen)__. Let’s try it! – Reaction Time investigation Go to the next step

10. Procedure Materials list – list EVERYTHING you’ll need • Steps in the investigation: • Be very specific – act like the directions are for a 1st grader • Number the steps • Write in imperative sentences Let’s try it! – Little Bits investigation Go to the next step

11. Investigation • An investigation is an experiment • In an investigation, there are different types of variables– things that can change or be changed: • Independent – what “I” change • Dependant – what changes on its own – we measure it • Constants – things that we keep the same to make it a fair test

12. Independent Variable • The change in the investigation that affects its results • IV - What “I” change • What we are testing Let’s try it! – Keeping Warm investigation

13. Dependent Variable • How we measure the change • It changes because of the independent variable Let’s try it! – Heart rate investigation

14. Constant Variables • Things you keep the same in all groups • Ensures a fair test Let’s try it! – Forces in Action investigation Go to the next step

15. Data • Qualitative data • Observations using your 5 senses • Quantitative data • Numerical data Display your data on: Data tables Graphs

16. Data Tables - Organized graphic to display results

17. Bar graphs • Compares two or more things

18. Line graphs • Change over time What happens to the temperature of water when ice is added? Go to the next step Let’s try it! – Magnetic Investigation

19. Conclusion • Conclusion statement • What happened? (Data) • Was your hypothesis supported? • Inference statement • Explains why you think the experiment went the way it did. Let’s try it! – Friction investigation Start over

20. Teacher’s Materials • Notes pages • Investigations • Other assignments