Scientific Inquiry & Problem Solving

1. Scientific Inquiry & Problem Solving Chapter 1: Lesson1 Kimberly Davis Honors Chemistry

2. Bell-ringer Activity • Pick up one of each of the handouts from the bookcase quietly. • Find your student # on the class roster on the door. • Have a seat in the desk that has the same # on it. • Complete the Student Information Card. Name: Class E-mail: Period Guardian Name: Guardian Phone #: Guardian E-mail: Advisement Teacher: Extra-curricular activities/Coach: Important Information/Medical condition:

3. Agenda • Introduction • Classroom Policies and Procedures • Safety Handout • Tiger Tip Review • Code of Conduct Review • Begin Notes

4. State the Problem • Observations: the information gathered using any of your senses • made throughout the scientific experiment, not only at the beginning • lead you to ask a question or identify (state) a problem

5. Gather Information • use reference materials such as: • Encyclopedias • Dictionaries • Scientific magazines and journals • World wide web • not all information is relevant or useful to a particular science topic

6. Form a Hypothesis • Hypothesis: a possible answer to the question • can be tested by an experiment

7. Test the Hypothesis • Experiment: tests the affect of one thing on another using controlled conditions • Contain many variables • Variables: the factors that affect the experiment

8. Variables • Independent variable: the variable that is being tested and is intentionally changed or manipulated • Dependent variable: the variable that might be affected as a result of that intentional change • Constant: factor that does not change when other variables change; • may have numerous constants in an experiment • Control: the standard by which the test results can be compared

9. How might NASA scientists set up an experiment to solve the problem of the damaged tiles that caused the Columbia space shuttle accident? They might make tiles of many different materials and subject them all to the heat and other stresses encountered by the shuttle.

10. NASA experiment variables: Independent variable: the materials used Dependent variable: the amount of heat the tile can withstand without being damaged Constants: the conditions to which the tiles were subjected Controls: tiles from the first shuttles

11. Bird Feeder Experiment • My neighbor has a clear bird feeder that 3 birds frequent each day. • I bought one clear, one red, and one blue feeder to see if color will affect which feeder a bird chooses. • I put the feeders in my yard, each with the same amount and type of food hanging in the same area for the same amount of time.

12. What are the variables? • Independent variable: the color of the feeder • Dependent variable: which bird feeder is frequented the most or that all are equally chosen, whichever result is true • Constant: amount and type of food, amount of time • Control: the clear feeder

13. Collect Data • Gather and record the data in a lab report or chart during the experiment. • Quantitative: involve measurements or numbers • Qualitative: does not involve numbers or measurements

14. Analyze the Data • Graph: an effective method of organization which helps to understand and communicate data • Bar Graph: measures things that are counted • Line Graph: compares the independent and dependent variables • Circle Graph: measures parts of a whole or percentages

15. Graph Reading Tips • Carefully read the title and the label on each axis. • Check for any other information that might be included on the graph. • When you think you have the answer, double check the information given in the graph. • Remember: independent variable= on the x-axis dependent variable = on the y-axis

16. Bar Graph

17. Line Graph

18. Circle Graph

19. Model: a representation of an actual object or idea that explains the results or how something works or looks • Technology: the application of science to help people • It aids scientists in developing theories and laws.

20. Draw Conclusions • Conclusions: explanations based on scientific data and observations. • answer the question as to whether or not the data and observations support the hypothesis • may indicate that more information is needed which creates more questions to investigate

21. Inference: an explanation of the data based on facts but not on direct observation. An inference is like an assumption. • Ex. Your friend has a busted lip, so you infer (assume) that he must have been in a fight. • An observation would be if you actually saw the fight.

22. Why are results that do not support the hypothesis important? • help scientists adjust and restate hypotheses • help you to understand the world • sometimes explanations must be modified as new information is learned • Ex. People used to think the world was flat.

23. Peer review: when scientists share their findings with others through publication or presentation • used to help others gain knowledge • Used to see if any errors were made in the calculations, design, or interpretation of the data • Prevents bias • Bias: occurs when what the scientist expects changes how the results are viewed

24. Scientific theory: explanation of things or events based on knowledge gained from many observations and investigations (an attempt to explain why the thing/event happens) • Scientific law: statement about what happens in nature and that seems to be true all the time (summarizes what happens)

25. Review of scientific processes State the problem Gather information Form a hypothesis Test the hypothesis Analyze data Draw conclusions Hypothesis not supported Hypothesis supported