Post on 18-Jan-2016
1. The Scientific Methoda way of problem solving
The goal of science is to understand the world around us
2. Basic Lab Format
1. Title
2. Question
3. Hypothesis
4. Experiment
5. Data/Observations
6. Conclusion
3. Question Purpose of Investigation Clear question that is
testable
4. Practice
Write a good scientific question to figure out what temperature would grow the tallest plant?
5. Hypothesis/Prediction
Solution to the problem (educated guess)
Written (If, Then, Because)– If-Manipulated Variable
– Then-Responding Variable
– Because-Prediction/Reason
Based on prior knowledge
6. Practice
Write a hypothesis for the plant question, using the if, then, because format.
If I ________________, then I think _____________ will happen, because ____________.
Imagine you are testing temperatures of 30, 70 and 100 degrees Celsius for plant growth (height).
7. Experiment The experiment tests the hypothesis to see if
it can be supported or not 3 parts
– Materials– Procedure – Variables
8. Materials
Must contain all materials referred to in Procedure
Should have specific quantities
9. ProcedureLogical steps so others can follow and repeat.Must Have Repeated Trials (3X)Must use word “record”Numbered listAlways include SI units
10. Variables
Controlled Variable: the many things kept the same
Manipulated Variable: the one thing you change
Responding Variable: the data. What you are measuring
11. Practice
For the plant lab what would the variables be:
Controlled: Manipulated Responding
12. Results: Present in 2 ways
1. Recorded observations: things we see or hear
2. Diagrams
3. Sketches
4. Data: things we measure Data table Graph
13. Conclusion
Conclusive Statement: Must answer the Question (was hypothesis supported or not, why?)
Use evidence/data to support: Use average data, and high/low data
Explanatory Language: How does the data support your statement
14. Reflection
How does the lab relate to real life? How does the lab relate to classwork?
– Refer to a specific reading page, activity or notebook page
15. Repeat the work
Repeat experiment to check accuracy To be accepted as valid work a science
experiment must be repeated by another group with the same results!
Is there a new question to test?