The Scientific Method

1. The Scientific Method 2/18/1996 …lots and lots and lots of math.

2. Goal • What is the scientific method? • Does the scientific method work? • Why does a scientific method need to be repeatable? • What is the term for a hypothesis that has been repeatedly proven? • What is not a scientific argument?

3. model test The Scientific Method • Observe an event. Formulate a Question about the event. • Develop a hypothesis which makes a prediction. • Test the prediction. • Observe the result. • Revise the hypothesis. • Repeat as needed. • A repeated, successful hypothesis becomes a ScientificTheory.

4. Medical Science

5. Everyday Science

6. Everyday Science

7. Food Science • Guessing at a recipe = Hypothesis • Your grandmother’s time-tested recipe = Scientific Theory

8. Repeatability • What does the word “Theory” mean to you? “A conjecture; guess” (Webster’s Dictionary) • What does the word THEORY mean to a scientist? A model which has been proven by repeated tests and observations • A successful scientific theory is repeatable. • By anyone! DISCUSS: • Why must science be repeatable? • What does it mean if something cannot be repeated? • What is the benefit of having all scientists use the scientific method?

9. Scientific Theories and Laws Both: -based on tested hypotheses -supported by a large body of data -agreed upon by the vast majority of scientists -could be shown to be wrong at some time if there is consistent data to suggest it’s wrong

10. Non-scientific Theories • Make no predictions • Un-testable • Can’t be proven as false…no way to prove as true or false.

11. Non-scientific Theories • Car won’t work?  Aliens drained the battery. • Seasons change?  Magic Season Powder. • Car won’t work?  The Gods must be angry. • Spaghetti is bland?  At the instant of tasting, tongue is transported to alternate dimension where all flavors are rendered nullified. Happens instantaneously.

12. Viking Orbiter (1976) Mars Global Surveyor (1998) Non-scientific Theories • The chain of events needed for life to arise is too complicated to have happened by chance, a divine intelligence must therefore have caused life to arise (Intelligent Design). • Face on Mars.

13. Lab Report Format Title Question: (always use correct punctuation) Hypothesis: I think...because….. Materials: (shopping list. Include everything.Yes, Everything.) Procedure: (number your procedure steps) Data: (data tables, graphs, numbers) Conclusion: (My hypothesis was ….. Talk about your numbers, your findings, your conclusions)

14. Lab Report Format Labels should stand out along left edge, like this: Question: How many drops of water can I fit on a penny? Hypothesis: I think I can fit ___ drops of water, because the penny is small. Materials: dropper, water, beaker, penny, paper towel Procedure: 1) ….. 2) …. Data: I was able to fit ___ drops of water on the penny Conclusion: My hypothesis was wrong. I was able to fit more drops on the penny than I thought, because the water _____.

15. Astrology Tests • What test would prove a horoscope true or false?

16. HW • Create a scientific test to prove a horoscope is not real science.