Chapter 1, Section 2Standard Investigation and Experimentation.

Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations.

Objective 1 Identify the steps that make up scientific methods.

Objective 2 Analyze how scientific thought changes as new information is collected.

Assessment Mythbusters Activity, Chapter Test

Review Daily Bellwork, Science Starters

Key Terms

Create a flash card for the following key terms (p. 9 in textbook):

ObservationHypothesisIndependent variableDependent variableTheory

If you finish early, study your flash cards!

The Scientific Method

Ask a QuestionThe Scientific Method begins with

observations based on sight, touch, taste, hearing, or smell.

These observations often lead to a question.

For example after seeing a tornado one might ask, “What causes a tornado to form?” or after being in an earthquake one might ask, “Why did my books fall off the shelf but the CDs did not?”

Form a HypothesisOnce a question has been asked

and observations have been made, a HYPOTHESIS is made.

A HYPOTHESIS is a possible solution or answer to the question; an educated guess.

For example: I might hypothesize that houseplants in the sun will grow faster than plants in a location without sun.

INTERACTIVEWrite a hypothesis for the

experiment below:◦A scientist is going to measure toy

car speed on a ramp. He is going to test if the size of the wheel affects the speed of the toy car going down a ramp. He has a regular toy car, a toy car with extra large wheels, and a toy car with mini-wheels.

◦What is your hypothesis??

Test the HypothesisOnce a question has been asked and a

hypothesis made it is time to develop an experiment to test the hypothesis!

Factors that can be changed in an experiment are called VARIABLES.

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE= a factor that can be changed by the person conducting the experiment.

DEPENDENT VARIABLE= the factors that change as a result of changing the independent variable.

INTERACTIVEIn the toy car experiment fill in

the following:◦Independent Variable______________◦Dependent Variable_______________

ModelsIn Earth Science it is often

impossible to use a controlled experiment.

When experiments can’t be done Scientists observe evidence and make observations.

Scientists also use MODELS such as maps, 3-D miniatures (of mountains, solar objects, etx), Computer models.

Quick Check!1. Name the 1st step of the Scientific

Method. ___________________2. Name the 2nd step of the Scientific

Method. ___________________3. The variable that the person doing

the experiment can change is called the ______________ variable.

4. The variable that changes as a result of the experiment is called the _________ variable.

Read about the Experiment below and answer the questions in your notes…One day 3 students were working on their science fair

project. They were conducting an experiment to see if the amount of time spent studying affected the test score. They each studied with the same materials, for the same test. Student A studied for 20 minutes, Student B studied for 1 hour, and Student C studied for 2 hours. They each took the same test, at the same time and then compared their results:Student A=64%Student B=85%Student C=97%

In the experiment above, give a possible Hypothesis:____________________________________________What is the Independent Variable? ____________________What is the Dependent Variable?______________________

VariablesIt is very important that in any experiment

only ONE VARIABLE should be tested.In the previous experiment on studying,

only the time was changed. What would happen to the results if the time was changed for each person, but also they each studied for a different subject??

The Scientific Method—What’s Missing??

Draw Conclusions

After the experiment is complete it is time to draw conclusions! Was the hypothesis correct?? Was it wrong?

The results may lead to more questions, in which case a new experiment may be developed.

The Scientific Method—What’s Missing??

Interactive!Create a Haiku about the Scientific

Method.You may work with your group, but

everyone must write the Haiku in their notebooks.

3 lines:◦5 syllables in first line◦7 syllables in second line◦5 syllables in 3rd line

Example:Observations and

Experiments are a partOf the good method

Measurements Throughout the Scientific

Methods scientists need a common system of measurement so they can share information:

International System of Units or SI

Brain Pop-Scientific Method

Acceptance of IdeasOnce an experiment is complete and

conclusions have been drawn the experiment is often repeated by other scientists. When the hypothesis is confirmed repeatedly and undergone a LOT of testing, it will form a THEORY.

A THEORY is an explanation/answer for a scientific question.

Hypothesis vs. Theory

Hypothesis

•Educated guess

•Not tested yet or

•Not tested much

Theory

•Well-accepted answer

•Well-tested•Supported by many experiments

Interactive!Quickwrite: In your own words

explain the difference between Hypothesis and Theory.

ErrorNo experiment is perfect. Many things can go wrong and many things cannot be controlled.

Scientists acknowledge that there will be error.

Scientists ALWAYS identify and communicate sources for error.

Sources for Error…

Human Error

Instrument Error

Environmental

Materials not

uniform

Quick Check!1. What is the difference between a

hypothesis and a theory? __________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Name 2 sources for error in experiments? ____________________________________________________________

3. What is the last step of the Scientific Method? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

INTERACTIVEIn your own words, summarize

what you have learned about the scientific method and sources of error.

At LEAST 6 sentences.

Assessment Mythbusters Episode: Identifying

the Steps of the Scientific Method and possible sources of Error!

1.Watch the episode of Mythbusters.2.While watching, fill in the steps of

the Scientific Method and the possible sources of error.

3.Create a Mini-Board