NCSCS ObjectivesNCSCS Objectives

1.01 Identify questions and problems 1.01 Identify questions and problems in earth and environmental science in earth and environmental science that can be answered through that can be answered through scientific investigationscientific investigation

2.05 Create and interpret 2.05 Create and interpret topographic, soil and geological topographic, soil and geological maps using scale and legend.maps using scale and legend.

TheTheScientific MethodScientific Method

What is the scientific What is the scientific method?method?

It is a logical, systematic approach to It is a logical, systematic approach to solve a problem solve a problem

The scientific method is a set of steps The scientific method is a set of steps used by the scientific community to used by the scientific community to organize thoughts in order to solve or organize thoughts in order to solve or investigate problems.investigate problems.

The Steps of the scientific The Steps of the scientific methodmethod

1.1. Identify the Identify the problemproblem

2.2. Gather informationGather information

3.3. Form a hypothesisForm a hypothesis

4.4. Design and Design and perform an perform an experimentexperiment

5.5. Gather data (results)Gather data (results)

6.6. Analyze data Analyze data

7.7. Form a conclusionForm a conclusion

8.8. Share resultsShare results

9.9. Verify resultsVerify results

Step 1Step 1Identify the problemIdentify the problem

This is always the first stepThis is always the first step

Ask yourself, Ask yourself, – What am I trying to figure out in this investigation?What am I trying to figure out in this investigation?– What can I learn through my Observations?What can I learn through my Observations?

Observation is made by using your sensesObservation is made by using your senses– Sight, smell, touch, taste, hearingSight, smell, touch, taste, hearing

Problem should be related to observation that Problem should be related to observation that you or someone else can make during the you or someone else can make during the investigation.investigation.

The problem is written in the form of a question. The problem is written in the form of a question.

Quick ExampleQuick ExampleTitle:Title:

The effect of pH on pansy The effect of pH on pansy growthgrowth

Problem:Problem:

Will the pH of the water Will the pH of the water effect the growth of the effect the growth of the plants?plants?

pH: 2 pH: 7

Gather informationGather information

Gather information related to the Gather information related to the questionquestion– Use the “need to know” to get you startedUse the “need to know” to get you started

Research, Research, Research !!!!Research, Research, Research !!!!

This step could answer the question for This step could answer the question for you or make you realize that this you or make you realize that this question is not appropriate for scientific question is not appropriate for scientific studystudy

Where do we go from here?Where do we go from here?

What do we know What do we know already?already?– Think of five to ten Think of five to ten

things you already things you already know about your know about your problem.problem.

What do we need to What do we need to know?know?– Now what are five to Now what are five to

ten things you need to ten things you need to find out?find out?

Once we know the problem, then we have to look Once we know the problem, then we have to look at gathering information to support our problem.at gathering information to support our problem.

Ask yourself two questions….Ask yourself two questions….

Let’s do it togetherLet’s do it together What I knowWhat I know

– Plants need water to growPlants need water to grow

– The water has different pH The water has different pH levelslevels

– The plants need sunlightThe plants need sunlight

– The plants need the same The plants need the same temperaturetemperature

– All of the plants are the same.All of the plants are the same.

What I need to find What I need to find outout

– What is pH?What is pH?

– What is the difference in a level What is the difference in a level 2, 7 and 9 on a pH scale?2, 7 and 9 on a pH scale?

– How much water should I give How much water should I give each day?each day?

– What temperature does the What temperature does the plants need to be placed in for plants need to be placed in for them to grow?them to grow?

– How much sunlight do I need?How much sunlight do I need?

Form a hypothesisForm a hypothesis

Form a hypothesis based upon the Form a hypothesis based upon the research and/or previous knowledge.research and/or previous knowledge.

Remember: Remember: – A good hypothesis is one that you can testA good hypothesis is one that you can test– A hypothesis is a possible answer to your A hypothesis is a possible answer to your

questionquestion– A hypothesis is always in the form of a A hypothesis is always in the form of a

statement, never a question (you already statement, never a question (you already have one)have one)

– It is usually in the form of It is usually in the form of IF….Then….BecauseIF….Then….Because

How do I write a How do I write a Hypothesis?Hypothesis?

– A hypothesis is written in an (if…then...because…) A hypothesis is written in an (if…then...because…) statementstatement

– If…tells what you did in the experiment (verb)If…tells what you did in the experiment (verb)– Then….tells the action what happen next (reaction)Then….tells the action what happen next (reaction)– Because…..Explanation of the reactionBecause…..Explanation of the reaction

– ““If………, then………because…..” statementIf………, then………because…..” statement

– Example: Example:

– If I flip the light switch to on then the light will come If I flip the light switch to on then the light will come on because the switch allows power to go to the light.on because the switch allows power to go to the light.

Quick ExampleQuick ExampleTitle:Title: The effect of pH on pansy The effect of pH on pansy

growthgrowth

Problem:Problem: Will a plant grow with Will a plant grow with too too much much acid in the water?acid in the water?

Hypothesis:Hypothesis:

IfIf pansies receive water pansies receive water below pH of 7, below pH of 7, thenthen they they will not grow will not grow becausebecause the the acid in the water will kill acid in the water will kill the flower.the flower.

pH: 2 pH: 7

pH: 8

Design an experimentDesign an experiment Why Design an experiment?Why Design an experiment?

Design an experiment to test your hypothesisDesign an experiment to test your hypothesis

WAIT…Look at this WAIT…Look at this firstfirst

If this impossible, then you do not have a good If this impossible, then you do not have a good hypothesishypothesis

– Go back to step 3 (forming a hypothesis)Go back to step 3 (forming a hypothesis)

– If it is possible, then Keep going……If it is possible, then Keep going……

Designing an Designing an experimentexperiment

MaterialsMaterials

What do you need to perform this What do you need to perform this problem? problem? – Use list or bullets (it is easer to read)Use list or bullets (it is easer to read)

Quick ExampleQuick ExampleTitle:Title: The effect of pH on pansy growth The effect of pH on pansy growth

Problem:Problem: Will a plant grow with too Will a plant grow with too much acid in the water?much acid in the water?

Hypothesis:Hypothesis:

IfIf pansies receive water below pH of 7, pansies receive water below pH of 7, thenthen they will not grow they will not grow becausebecause the acid in the acid in the water will kill the flower.the water will kill the flower.

Materials:Materials:

27 of the same flowers27 of the same flowers

27 pots of the same size27 pots of the same size

Measuring cupMeasuring cup

Water sourceWater source

Measuring tapeMeasuring tape

Pen and paperPen and paper

pH: 2 pH: 7

pH: 8

Parts of an experimentParts of an experiment

ControlControl ConstantConstant VariablesVariables

– IndependentIndependent– DependentDependent

ReplicationReplication RandomizationRandomization

ControlControl

Every experiment must have a Every experiment must have a control group that will be used for control group that will be used for comparison comparison with one or more with one or more experimental groupsexperimental groups

ConstantsConstants

The constants are the things that are The constants are the things that are will will stay the samestay the same in the control in the control and experimental group.and experimental group.

The control is identical to the The control is identical to the experimental group in all aspects but experimental group in all aspects but one variable that is being studiedone variable that is being studied

VariablesVariables

The variables are the things that The variables are the things that change during the experiment.change during the experiment.– The variable that is being manipulated The variable that is being manipulated

by the experimenter is called the by the experimenter is called the independent variableindependent variable

– The thing that changes in reaction to the The thing that changes in reaction to the independent variable is the independent variable is the dependent dependent variablevariable

– Both variables are often found in the Both variables are often found in the title and hypothesis.title and hypothesis.

ReplicationReplication

Doing the experiment more than Doing the experiment more than once once – Doing is more than onceDoing is more than once– Having multiple samples in test groupHaving multiple samples in test group

The sample size of the experiment The sample size of the experiment must be large enough to reduce must be large enough to reduce sampling error.sampling error.

Replication:Replication: having more than having more than one one plant in each groupplant in each group

9 plants with pH of 29 plants with pH of 2 (experimental group 1)(experimental group 1) 9 plants with pH of 79 plants with pH of 7 (control)(control) 9 plants with pH of 99 plants with pH of 9 (experimental group 2)(experimental group 2)Randomization:Randomization: Number all 30 plants Number all 30 plants

9 plants are placed in the 9 plants are placed in the control group,control group,

9 plants are placed in the 9 plants are placed in the experimental experimental

group 1group 1,,9 plants are placed in the 9 plants are placed in the

experimental experimental group 2group 2

pH: 2pH: 7

pH: 9

ReplicationReplicationpH 2Exp. Group 1

pH 7 Control

pH 8ExpGroup 2

Data Collection (results)Data Collection (results) Make observations and collect dataMake observations and collect data

– This involves taking notes, measurements, are you This involves taking notes, measurements, are you are conducting your experimentare conducting your experiment

– Descriptive or qualitative data uses written Descriptive or qualitative data uses written descriptions of what is observed. descriptions of what is observed.

– Numerical or quantitative data uses measurement Numerical or quantitative data uses measurement that can be recorded in a table or chartthat can be recorded in a table or chart

– Most data gathering should include both descriptive Most data gathering should include both descriptive (qualitative) and numerical (quantitative) data(qualitative) and numerical (quantitative) data

Gather dataGather data

measure each plant measure each plant dailydaily

place data in tables, place data in tables, graphsgraphs

pH: 2 pH: 7

pH: 8

PH 2PH 2 Day 1Day 1 Day 5Day 5 Day 10Day 10 Day 15Day 15

PH 7PH 7 Day 1Day 1 Day 5Day 5 Day 10Day 10 Day 15Day 15

Ph 8Ph 8 Day 1Day 1 Day 5Day 5 Day 10Day 10 Day 15Day 15

Gather DataGather DataTreatmentTreatment

pH 2pH 2 pH 7pH 7 pH 8pH 8

Plant 1Plant 1 44 77 77

Plant 2Plant 277 88 66

Plant 3Plant 3 55 77 66

Plant 4Plant 4 99 99 99

Plant 5 Plant 5 1010 1010 88

TotalTotal3535 4141 3636

Average HeightAverage Height 35/5 = 735/5 = 7 41/5 = 8.241/5 = 8.2 36/5= 7.236/5= 7.2

Analyze dataAnalyze data What is the data telling you?What is the data telling you?

– This occurs when experiment is overThis occurs when experiment is over– Data and observations already made are Data and observations already made are

now analyzed to determine cause and now analyzed to determine cause and effecteffect

– Numerical data from the table or chart is Numerical data from the table or chart is placed in a graphplaced in a graph

– All results must be backed up with data All results must be backed up with data from the experimentfrom the experiment

Analyze DataAnalyze Data

7.28.2

7

6

6.5

7

7.5

8

8.5

pH

va

lue

pH 2 pH 7 pH 8pH of water

The effect of pH on pansy growth

pH 2 7

pH 7 8.2

pH 8 7.2

Form a conclusionForm a conclusion Was the hypothesis supported by the data?Was the hypothesis supported by the data?

– Explain why or why notExplain why or why not Is more data needed?Is more data needed?

– Explain why or what data is neededExplain why or what data is needed Should a new hypothesis be made and Should a new hypothesis be made and

tested?tested?– Explain why a new hypothesis is neededExplain why a new hypothesis is needed

Does the data lead to more questions that Does the data lead to more questions that can be explored or tested?can be explored or tested?– What are the questions and whyWhat are the questions and why

Did some problem contaminate the data?Did some problem contaminate the data?– Explain what happenExplain what happen

Should be experiment be repeated?Should be experiment be repeated?– Why do you feel it should or should notWhy do you feel it should or should not

2. Gather information

1.

3.

4. 4.

5,6.

5,6.

7. 8.