Becoming a Scientist

Learning to solve questions using the scientific method

The Scientific Method seeks to explain our everyday observations

• When we Discover something new…

• Become curious and develop questions…

• Hypothesize a likely answer...

• Design an experiment and collect data….

• And make conclusions

When we discover something new we often ask questions to learn more

For example, we may learn that in prehistoric times lived a ferocious cat known as Sabre-Tooth

AND!! We might ask, “How did Sabre-Tooth use its 8-inch teeth?”

The internet and library are great resources for answering these kinds of questions.

But!! Perhaps no one knows how Sabre-Tooths used their teeth?

Scientists make hypothesis and design experiments to discover new information

And we can too!

Stop!!! Before beginning a new experiment it is wise to find out what is already known

You don’t want to “reinvent the wheel”

For K-12, teachers may choose to inform students about this background knowledge..

For example, we can learn about how Sabre-Tooth’s relatives hunt today

Background research helps to create a better hypothesis

Cheetahs pounce on GazelleLions jump on to elephant’s back

AND!!! We may discover similar animals lived during the era of Sabre-Tooth

Prehistoric ElkMegalocerus

The Wooly MammothMammuthus primigenius

The more background that we learn the better we can predict the outcome. We also create opportunities to engage student interests!!

Components of a good Hypothesis

1. An educated prediction based on observation

2. Prediction can be tested Data is feasible to obtain

3. Prediction is Specific Hypotheses are not vague

An example hypothesis for

Sabre-Tooths•The teeth of Sabre-Tooth were too long and delicate to break the bones of Wolly mammoth or Prehistoric Elk

Identify the test subject, what we will test, and what we will test it on.

Designing a model to test the hypothesis

We obviously don’t have sabre-toothed teeth or mammoth bones for our research, but we can build a model.

Scientists use model systems for many types of research and we can apply the same principles

Designing an experiment for K-12 Scientists 1. Make a Materials List

For example, We Need….

1. A modeled Sabre-tooth2. A modeled mammoth and deer

bone3. A negative and positive control4. A way to repeat the experiment

Designing an experiment for K-12 Scientists

2. Be Creative, Be Simple

Simple models using wood and large screws or Paper Mache could be used to recreate Sabre-Tooth teeth. These teeth were 8 inches long and sharp!!

Find bones from Petsmart, or make them from paper mache.

Have students brainstorm ways to test their hypothesis

Designing an experiment for K-12 Scientists

2. Be Creative, Be Simple

Positive ControlHyena teeth model(known for crushing

bones)

Negative ControlWood with no teeth

Controls are needed to show the experiment worked correctly!

Designing an experiment for K-12 Scientists

2. Be Creative, Be Simple

Collecting Data in an Experiment3. Tables are useful for keeping track of data

Saber-tooth

Negative Control (No teeth)

Positive Control(Hyena Teeth)

Mammoth Bone Test 1

Mammoth Bone Test 2

Mammoth Bone Test 3

Deer Bone Test 1

Deer Bone Test 2

Deer Bone Test 3

Performing the Experiment4. Have fun

Have the students devise a consistent method to crush/break the bones using their model

Record data in tables and lab notebooks

Making Conclusions5. Interpeting the data

Analyze controls Positive control should break the bones. ▪ If it doesn’t perhaps model is too weak

Negative control should not break the bones▪ If it does perhaps model is too strong

Analyze experimental group

Sabre-tooth broke bones, broke bones sometimes, or did not

break bones.

From the conclusion make observations6. Ask new question

The end.. Or, perhaps just the beginning…