Mr. Altorfer Life Science
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Transcript of Mr. Altorfer Life Science
Scientific Methods
• What is the Scientific Method?– The steps that scientists use to solve scientific problems.
The Steps to the Scientific Method
• STEP 1: Ask a question.– Ask a question about the natural world– Why do leaves turn different colors in the fall?– Does fertilizer help plants to grow?
The Steps to the Scientific Method
• STEP 2: Form a hypothesis.– Hypothesis: A possible explanation or answer to a
question. – Make a prediction: If/Then statement– Example: If flowers are given fertilizer, then they
will grow faster
The Steps to the Scientific Method
• STEP 3:Test the hypothesis with an experiment.– Design an experiment that tests your
hypothesis/prediction.
The Steps to the Scientific Method
• STEP 4: Analyze the results– Collect your data and study what can be learned
from your data.
The Steps to the Scientific Method
• STEP 5: Form a conclusion– What was learned by completing the experiment?
The Steps to the Scientific Method
• STEP 6: Communicate/Share your results– Share your results and conclusions with others.
The Steps to the Scientific Method
• 1) Ask a Question• 2) Form a Hypothesis• 3) Test the Hypothesis with an experiment• 4) Analyze the Results• 5) Form Conclusions• 6) Communicate the Results
CONTROLLED EXPERIMENTS
• Experiment- Something that is done to test a hypothesis or a prediction.
• Controlled Experiment- Two experiments exactly alike except for one change.
• Control- Part of an experiment in which no change is made.
• Variable- Anything that can be changed in an experiment.
Scientific Law vs. Scientific Theory
• 1) Scientific Theory- An idea that is believed to be true and has been supported by experiments, but has not been proven. • Example: The Big Bang Theory (Not the TV
show!) • 2) Scientific Law- A rule that describes a pattern
in nature. A scientific explanation that always appears true. • Example: The Law of Gravity