The Scientific Caterpillar

Review – Scientific Method•Lab Title •Goal (what you want to accomplish)•Problem (question)•Hypothesis (what you think will happen, based on experience and research

If… then…)•Independent Variable (one thing you change)•Dependent Variable (what you measure)•Materials (shopping list)•Procedure (number each step)•Data (data table or chart and written observations and pictures)•Results – graph your data•Conclusion

1.Explain how your hypothesis was supported/not supported by the data

from your experiment

2.Identify any possible errors or factors that could have affected your

experiment

3.Discuss what you might do differently next time and what other related

experiments you would want to do

4.What did you learn about the standard or goal

What is the Scientific Method?

• The Scientific Method is a process that is used to find answers to questions about the world around us. There are several versions of the Scientific Method. Some have a few steps and some have more steps.

• All versions begin with the same thing – the identification of an idea, problem, or question based on observations of the world around us.

Problem (aka – Testable Question)• A good problem comes from a GREAT

idea!• Must be TESTABLE QUESTION – one that

can be answered by conducting an experiment.

• Do not select a question that can be answered by doing research.

• Must provide data that can be measured – no questions that can just be answered yes or no

Testable Question?Can I create an experiment to find the answer?

Does it provide data to be measured?Is it NOT a yes or no question?

• Which gum makes the biggest bubble?• Which gum is the most expensive?• How does an eye work?• Which brand of football gloves are the stickiest?• Which brand of football gloves are made with

leather?• Does fertilizer affect plant growth?• Which fertilizer causes plants to grow the tallest?• Can I make a volcano with baking soda and

vinegar?

Notes for Problem

• Lift up the PROBLEM circle underneath write: • TESTABLE QUESTION

Hypothesis

• Form a Hypothesis – Educated Guess This is a possible solution to the problem.

• Test the Hypothesis - An experiment is performed to determine if the hypothesis is supported or not (there is no right or wrong).

• You can gain valuable information even when your results do not support your hypothesis.

HYPOTHESIS

• Written in the IF – THEN – BECAUSE format

• If the variable plants received double the fertilizer, then they will grow taller because they are receiving more nutrients.

Notes for Problem & Hypothesis

• Lift up the HYPOTHESIS circle and underneath write:

• Educated guess• IF, THEN, BECAUSE.

VariablesIndependent Variable

• The 1 thing YOU change

• What is tested• What is manipulated***Amount of fertilizer

Dependent Variable• What you MEASURE• What is observed• What is measured• The data collected

during the investigation

• Affected by the independent variable

***Height of plants

Controlled Variable• Variables that are not

changed• Also called constants• Used for comparisons• Allow for a “fair test”***Sunlight, water, soil, type

of plant, ect.

Identify the variables• Students of different ages were given

the same jigsaw puzzle to put together. They were timed to see how long it took to finish the puzzle.

Independent Variable

Ages of students

Dependent Variable

Time it took to put the puzzle together

Controlled variable

Same puzzle

Identify the variables• The higher the temperature of water,

the faster an egg will float.

Independent Variable

Temperature of water

Dependent VariableTime for the egg to float

Controlled variable

Same egg

Identify the variables• A group of students was allowed to listen to

music during a test while the other group was not. Test scores were then collected and compared.

Independent Variable

Music

Dependent Variable

Test scores

Controlled variable

Same test

Identify the variables• Students each bounced a basketball, a

tennis ball, and a bouncy ball on the floor to see which would bounce higher.

Independent Variable

Type of ball

Dependent VariableHeight ball bounces

Controlled variable

Floor, height ball was dropped from

Variables• Lift up the VARIABLES circle and underneath

write:

• Independent –change• Dependent –measure• Control – same

4. VARIABLES

Materials

• Shopping list• Numbered!• Lots of DETAILS!– 1 ¾ liter water –

not some water– 4 pieces of 8 ½” by 11”

plain white computerpaper – not paper

What could be improved on this list?

• Aluminum foil• Water• Paper• 1 box

Toothpicks• 8 Rubber

bands• 2 glasses

Example of Materials:

• 1 25 ft roll of aluminum foil• 2 liter bottle of drinking water• 2 sheets of newspaper• I box of 200 flat, wooden

toothpicks• 8 small Rubber bands measuring

no more than 2” long• 2 clear, drinking glasses able to

hold at least one liter of water

Materials• Lift up the MATERIALS circle

and underneath write: • Detailed list

5. MATERIALS

Procedure• Numbered!• Step by step directions so that

someone else could do your experiment exactly the same way.

• Very SPECIFIC• Explanation of experiment• Number of times to do

the experiment

What is the correct order?

Procedure

• Lift up the PROCEDURE circle and underneath write:

• Numbered• Step – by –step

6. PROCEDURE

Data

• Data table or chart and written observations and pictures

• Scientists usually use metric units of measurement

Tree Height # of Leaves

Location

Redwood 87 meters 5,687 California

Fern 45 meters 6,478 Minnesota

Pine 13 meters 256 Flagstaff

Data• Lift up the DATA circle and

underneath write:

• Chart

7. DATA

Results• Graph• Provide information in pictures.• Organize the data so it can be analyzed.• Make it easier to quickly understand

relationships in the data.

Bar Graphs

• When data is grouped in categories, that may not be in order.

• Shows countable data with horizontal or vertical bars.

Circle or Pie Graphs

• Compares parts to the whole.• Shows how the parts of data are

related to the whole and to each other.

Line Graphs

• Show patterns of ordered data over time.• Shows how data will change over time.

Graphs• Did you select the correct type of graph for

your data?• Are all of your graphs correctly labeled with:

– Title– X-axis labeled– Y-axis labeled– Units of measurements are labeled (in metric)– Proper scale – the appropriate high and low values– Data plotted correctly and clearly

• Use a ruler and color• If you have more than one set of data, show

each set with a different color or symbol.– Include a legend if necessary

Remember - SULTAN

• Scale

• Units of measurement

• Labels – x & y axis

• Title

• Accuracy

• Neatness (ruler and color)

Circle 8• Lift up the RESULTS circle and

underneath write: • Graphs• Bar, line or circle• SULTAN

8. RESULTS

Select the correct graphVOTE A, B, C or D With your hands

Which is the right graph?

1. A __________ shows changes over time.

a) circle graphb) line graphc) bar graphd) double bar graph

Which is the right graph?

1. A __________ shows changes over time.

b) line graph

Which is the right graph?

2. A ____________ is used to represent data as part of a whole.

a) circle graphb) pictographc) line graphd) bar graph

Which is the right graph?

2. A ____________ is used to represent data as part of a whole.

a) circle graph

Which is the right graph?

3. Brittany wanted to keep track of how many pieces of gum she chewed in a week. On Monday, she chewed 4 pieces, Tuesday 3 pieces, Wednesday 6 pieces, Thursday 5 pieces, Friday 2 pieces, Saturday 8 pieces and Sunday 3 pieces. Which of the following graphs would be best for this data?a) circle graphb) double bar graphc) line graphd) pictograph

Which is the right graph?

3. Brittany wanted to keep track of how many pieces of gum she chewed in a week. On Monday, she chewed 4 pieces, Tuesday 3 pieces, Wednesday 6 pieces, Thursday 5 pieces, Friday 2 pieces, Saturday 8 pieces and Sunday 3 pieces. Which of the following graphs would be best for this data?

c) line graph

Which is the right graph?

4. Sandy made $100 for babysitting for 3 days. She went to the mall to spend her money. She spent $50 on clothing, $20 on jewelry, $15 on makeup, $10 on a CD, and $5 on food. What type of graph should Sandy use to show her mom how she spent the money?a) bar graphb) pictographc) line graphd) circle graph

Which is the right graph?

4. Sandy made $100 for babysitting for 3 days. She went to the mall to spend her money. She spent $50 on clothing, $20 on jewelry, $15 on makeup, $10 on a CD, and $5 on food. What type of graph should Sandy use to show her mom how she spent the money?

d) circle graph

Which is the right graph?

5. Grandma Fryman decided to make some cookies for her grandchildren. She made 3 batches of chocolate chip cookies, 2 batches of sugar cookies, 4 batches of peanut butter cookies and 6 batches of oatmeal cookies. What type of graph would Grandma use to display this data?a) circle graphb) double bar graphc) line graphd) bar graph

Which is the right graph?

5. Grandma Fryman decided to make some cookies for her grandchildren. She made 3 batches of chocolate chip cookies, 2 batches of sugar cookies, 4 batches of peanut butter cookies and 6 batches of oatmeal cookies. What type of graph would Grandma use to display this data?

d) bar graph

Summarizing Your Data

• You have collected, recorded, and graphed all your data.

• Now it is time to decide if your hypothesis is correct or not.

Hypothesis: Tomato plants will grow the tallest if they if they get 12 hours of light each day because research states they need plenty of light. Amount of light

per day:

Plant A: 12 hoursPlant B: 9 hoursPlant C: 6 hours

Based on the data, was they hypothesis supported?

Hypothesis: Styrofoam will keep ice frozen the longest because they are made from polystyrene, a material which traps air, and Styrofoam coolers are very popular.

Based on the data, was they hypothesis supported?

Conclusion

Use your data/results to write your conclusion.

1. Explain how your hypothesis was supported/not supported by the data from your experiment.

2. Identify any possible errors or factors that could have affected your experiment.

3. Discuss what you might do differently next time and what other related experiments you would want to do.

Conclusion• Lift up the CONCLUSION circle and

underneath write: • Hypothesis supported?• Use DATA• Reflect – What did you learn?

9. CONCLUSIO

N

PROBLEM

TestableQuestion

HYPOTHESISEducated

GuessIF- THEN- BECAUSE

VARIABLESIndependent – changeDependent – Measure

Control - Same

MATERIALS

Detailed List

PROCEDURENumbered

Step-by-Step

DATAChart

RESULTSGraphs

Bar, line or circle

SULTAN

CONCLUSIONHypothesis supported?Use data

Reflect – what did you learn?

PROBLEM

HYPOTHESIS

VARIABLES

MATERIALS

PROCEDURE

DATA

RESULTS

CONCLUSION