Scientific Method Bellringer

1. What is mass?2. What is weight?3. What is the scientific

method?› After you define, list all the

parts you remember below your answer.

What is the scientific method?

The scientific method is a systematic way to answer questions. It’s the process we go through as scientists to answer questions about the world around us!

You go through the scientific method everyday without even thinking about it!

The steps of the scientific method are…

Observe and State the Problem Make a hypothesis Test your hypothesis through an

experiment. Record and analyze data. Draw conclusions and

communicate results.

Brain Pop: Scientific Method(During this video, we will fill in the

scientific method graphic organizer)

Today, we are going to talk about the main parts of a good experiment…

Hint: It’s not blowing up our classroom!

Think about this… Let’s say that Brad has a pimple. He

wonders what will get rid of it. He’s heard that putting toothpaste on the zit will get rid of it. He’s also heard that lemon juice will get rid of it. He decides to rub his face with lemon juice and toothpaste. The next morning his pimple is gone. But which thing cured him? The toothpaste or the lemon juice?

The Answer? How many of you think it was the

toothpaste? Raise your hand. How many of you think it was the

lemon juice? Raise your hand. The truth is….

THERE IS NO WAY FOR YOU TO KNOW FOR SURE BECAUSE THIS IS A BAD

EXPERIMENT!!!

Every Good Experiment Has Three Things!

1) Independent variables2) Controls3) Dependent variable

So What Are These?

IDENTIFYING VARIABLES

What is a variable?

Variable: A factor that can change in an experiment. Every experiment has two – one is the cause, the other is the effect.

Cause and Effect Does crushing a sugar cube effect the

rate at which the sugar dissolves in the water?

What is the cause and what is the effect?

Crushing the sugar cube will

effect how long

it takes to

dissolve.

Crushing the sugar cube is what we predict will be the

cause.We change this one!

The time it takes to dissolve is what we

will see the effect on.

We measure this one!

This is called the Independent Variable.

This is called the Dependent Variable.

Variables: Independent Variable is the cause, the

one we will change.

Dependent Variable is the effect, the one we will measure.

Experiment Title: Does the age of a person gets married effect their chances of getting a divorce?

Experiment Title: Does fertilizer affect plant height?

Experiment Title: Is there are relationship between the weather and how students behave?

IV- DV-

IV- DV-

IV- DV-

Age Chances of divorce

fertilizer

weather

Plant height

behavior

Check for Understanding Does brushing your hair make it grow

faster?1) Identify the independent variable.2) Identify the dependent variable

Check for Understanding Do car accidents increase your car

insurance cost?1) Identify the independent variable.2) Identify the dependent variable.

Any variable we keep the same in order to make sure it isn’t what’s causing the effect.

CONSTANT

What were the constants in Tim and Moby’s experiment?

Control Group A control group is a group that is not

treated. For example, if I gave some of you raffle tickets but not everyone…who is my control group?

What was the control group in Tim and Moby’s experiments?

Practice with Controls Does fertilizer affect plant height?

› Independent Variable: fertilizer› Dependent Variable: plant heightHow can we be sure that the fertilizer is

effecting the plant height?What would some constants be? We must have a control to make sure that the

fertilizer is the only factor affecting plant height.

› Control: Plant that does not receive fertilizer.

Practice with Controls Does the temperature outside effect

the chances a person will get the flu?-IV: Temperature outside-DV: Chances a person will get the flu-Control: Person

Check for Understanding What effect does a car’s speed have on

gas mileage?1) Identify the control.

Check for Understanding Does adding salt to water affect the

temperature at which it boils?1) Identify the control.

Simpsons Worksheet 20 minutes

First two with me, Last three with partner

Whisper!

Instant Snow! We will work this out together to figure

out which liquid makes the fluffiest snow!

Spongebob Worksheet Independent Practice