SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONTCAP REVIEW

PLICKERS BELLWORK4-7-15

• Students want to determine which type of plant will best survive in a hot, dry environment. They place four different types of plants in identical pots, and put all of the plants by the same large window. They give each plant the same amount of water every day.

• Which of these is the independent variable for the students’ experiment?• a. amount of water c. type of plant• b. health of plant d. amount of sunlight

SPI 0807.Inq.2 (Tools and Procedures

Tools and Procedures in Science The procedures used in science are called the scientific method

These procedures involve thoroughly examining events and items in nature, finding patterns, and drawing logical conclusions based on verifiable evidence

Scientific MethodVideo Clip

Step 1: Make ObservationsStep 2: Ask A QuestionStep 3: Form A HypothesisStep 4: Test The Hypothesis By doing experimentsStep 5: Analyze The ResultsStep 6: Draw ConclusionsStep 7: Communicate results

Scientific Method

(In List Format)

A key procedure is when test your hypothesis by doing detailed and thorough experiments (step 4 shown above)

SPI 0807.Inq.2 (Tools and Procedures

Tools and Procedures in Science The procedures used in science are called the scientific method

Experiments In an experiment you measure a quantities and/or qualities In an experiment you should conduct multiple trials Experiments should include independent variables, dependent variables,

constants, and controls.

Example: Scientists could be testing a new vaccine for the flu virus to determine how

effective it is Scientists could be measuring how air pollution damages plants and animals Scientists could be measuring the output of solar flares to determine how they

might damage our communication satellites

In an experiment……you should only test for ONE key thing at a timeThis is called the…

SPI 0807.Inq.1 (Variables and Controls)Experiments

Independent Variable

…after you introduce the independent variable, you observe what happens. This response/result is called the…Dependent Variable

Items or events that are repeated exactly the same way each time you duplicate an experiment are called… Constants

NOTE: You should also conduct a control experiment where you either eliminate out the independent variable or use a neutral independent variable (called a placebo)

In an experiment… …you use scientific tools such as…

…a triple beam balance …a metric ruler or meter stick

…a graduated cylinder

…a spring scale -measures force (weight)

-measures volume

-measures length

-measures mass

SPI 0807.Inq.2 (Tools and Procedures

…a metric thermometer-measures temperature …a stop watch-measures time

-measures acidity and basicity …a pH indicator

-measures electrical current (strength and direction)

…a galvanometer

Experiments

…a microscope -allows you to observe very small things

Scientific Tools

SPI 0807.Inq.2 (Tools and Procedures

In an experiment……you could measure the strength of an acid or base with a…

…pH Indicator -measures acidity and basicity

SPI 0807.Inq.2 (Tools and Procedures

-unit of measure: pH scale reading from 0 to 14

Scientific Tools

In an experiment……you also might use a galvanometer to measure electrical current

SPI 0807.Inq.2 (Tools and ProceduresScientific Tools

…measures both the strength & direction of electrical current

In an experiment……you also might use……

…beakers

SPI 0807.Inq.2 (Tools and ProceduresScientific Tools

…flasks

flask

…test tubes

Test tubesbeaker

In an experiment……you also might use………a hot plate

SPI 0807.Inq.2 (Tools and ProceduresScientific Tools

…a Petri dish

Bunsen burnerPetri dish

hot plate

…a Bunsen burner

Step 1: Make ObservationsStep 2: Ask A QuestionStep 3: Form A HypothesisStep 4: Test The Hypothesis By doing experimentsStep 5: Analyze The ResultsStep 6: Draw ConclusionsStep 7: Communicate results

(In List Format)

Scientific Method

Use independent variables when you test your hypothesis by doing experiments (see step 4 above)

Experiments In an experiment you should conduct multiple trials

SPI 0807.Inq.1 (Variables and Controls)

How many? More is better!

Experiments should include independent variables, dependent variables, constants, and controls.

Experiments: In an experiment you test or measure a quantity and/or quality of something.

SPI 0807.Inq.1 (Variables and Controls)

Example: Measuring Quantity:Scientists could be testing a new cell phone battery to determine how long it will last when you are text messaging.

Example: Measuring Quality:Scientists could be testing new IPod ear buds to determine if they are more comfortable or not.

Example 03: A student conducts an experiment with ten 8th gradestudents. He uses 3 similar types of sour candy in a series of 4trials. (Sour Patch Kids, Sour Skittles, and Warheads) He gives 1piece of candy to each student and records their facial expressionsto determine how sour each candy is.

The independent variable is the type of sour candy

What is the independent variable in this example?In other words, what is the one thing being tested for or changed?

Example 05: A student conducts an experiment to determine whichink color in ballpoint pens will last the longest before running out.

The independent variable is the color of ink

She uses 3 ink colors in 3 ballpoint pens in a series of experiments. (1) Black ink pen, (2) Blue ink pen, (3) Red ink pen)

She copies text from her science book. She copies the same text over and over.She writes at the same speed. The room temperature remains the same. Shewrites on the same kind of paper each time..

What is the independent variable in this example?In other words, what is the one thing being tested for or changed?

SPI 0807.Inq.3: (Interpret Data)

Different types of charts, tables, and graphs

Tables

Tables/charts are used to organize exact amounts of data and to display numerical information.

Tables do not show visual comparisons.

SPI 0807.Inq.3: (Interpret Data)

Different types of charts, tables, and graphs

Pie Charts

Best used for comparing parts to a whole

The total amount should equal 100%

A pie chart is a circular chart divided into sectors

Works well for comparing 6 or fewer items, but more than six items becomes difficult to view and interpret

SPI 0807.Inq.3: (Interpret Data)

Different types of charts, tables, and graphs

Bar Graph Bar graphs are used to compare facts. The bars provide a visual display for comparing quantities in different categories  

Bar graphs help us to see relationships quickly.

SPI 0807.Inq.3: (Interpret Data)

Different types of charts, tables, and graphs

Line Graph Line graphs are used to display data or information that changes continuously over time.

Line graphs allow us to see overall trends such as an increase or decrease in data over time.

What is cause and effect?Cause and effect refers to a connection or relationship betweentwo actions or events

Here is a way to think about this topic:..if you do this one action then this other action will occur-The cause: is the first action or event-The effect: is the resulting consequences

Example:In first period a student has a headache and is sleepy. Thenight before they stayed up late watching a funny TV showuntil 1:00 A.M.

Identify the cause and effect in this situation. (see next slide)

SPI 0807.Inq.4: Cause and Effect

Example:In first period a student has a headache and is sleepy. Thenight before they stayed up late watching a funny TV showuntil 1:00 A.M. Identify the cause and effect in this situation.

The cause (first action): was staying up late until 1:00 A.M.

The effect (resulting consequences): headache & being sleepy

SPI 0807.Inq.4: Cause and Effect

Bias and Error in ScienceBias: this means you are prejudiced towards or against something and that you allow your views to affect the results of your experiment.

Bias Is Bad!

Bias

Science is about obtaining accurate resultsso bias should NEVER be allowed to influenceyour experimental results!

Bias

SPI 0807.Inq.5: Bias and Error

Humans are imperfect, so bias happens both intentionally and unintentionally

Solutions to Bias in Science

SPI 0807.Inq.5: Bias and Error

Ways to Reduce and/or Eliminate Bias

Be aware that bias can and does happen Strive to recognize it, and eliminate it from your

experiments. Follow the steps and principles of the scientific method Make sure that others rigorously review your work

looking for bias

Avoid Mistakes: One small error can result in all your experimental data being

wrong So scientists work very hard to avoid making mistakes

Peer Review: One key way scientists deal with this issue is by having other

scientists review their work to check for mistakes This very common practice is called peer review

Errors in Science

To Avoid Mistakes: Make sure you are following the steps of the scientific method Make sure you have only one independent variable at a time Make sure you correctly identify your dependent variables Make sure you include valid control experiments Make sure you record in detail every step of your experiment Ask someone else to review all your work (peer review)

In your TCAP packet, complete Chapter 1: scientific Inquiry questions.

Answer on the sheet provided. Do not loose this sheet. This will be counted as a classwork grade.

We will go over the answers today in class.