Predicting and HypothesizingPredicting and Hypothesizing

PredictionPrediction

An expectation of what will be observedAn expectation of what will be observedA forecast about what will happenA forecast about what will happenBased on prior knowledge and data that Based on prior knowledge and data that

has been collectedhas been collected

How do you make accurate How do you make accurate predictions?predictions?

Make observations. Recall past Make observations. Recall past experiencesexperiences

Use your knowledge to search for patterns Use your knowledge to search for patterns in data. Make inferencesin data. Make inferences

Make predictions about future eventsMake predictions about future eventsTest those predictions to determine validityTest those predictions to determine validityAfter testing, revise predictions if After testing, revise predictions if

necessarynecessary

HypothesisHypothesis

Tentative explanation for an observationTentative explanation for an observation Inference about why something might Inference about why something might

happenhappenWritten in an If… Then…. Because… Written in an If… Then…. Because…

statementstatementThe results of an experiment cannot prove The results of an experiment cannot prove

that a hypothesis is correct, rather the that a hypothesis is correct, rather the results either support or not support results either support or not support (refute) the hypothesis(refute) the hypothesis

If….. Then…. Because…If….. Then…. Because…

If (independent variable) what you If (independent variable) what you changed on purposechanged on purpose

Then (dependent variable) what you will Then (dependent variable) what you will measuremeasure

Because - Your inference (explanation) of Because - Your inference (explanation) of why you think it will happen.why you think it will happen.

ExampleExample

Independent Variable – length of paper Independent Variable – length of paper thing bladesthing blades

Dependent Variable – rotational speedDependent Variable – rotational speed

TelephoneTelephone

Independent Variable – length of stringIndependent Variable – length of stringDependent Variable – clarity of soundDependent Variable – clarity of sound

BaseballBaseball

Independent Variable – baseball batting Independent Variable – baseball batting practicepractice

Dependent – batting averageDependent – batting average

Drink MixDrink Mix

Independent Variable – temperature of Independent Variable – temperature of solutionsolution

Dependent Variable – dissolving time of Dependent Variable – dissolving time of powered drink mixpowered drink mix

Green clubGreen club

Murphy and Sam joined green club and Murphy and Sam joined green club and want to increase recycling of aluminum want to increase recycling of aluminum cans. They want to see if putting up cans. They want to see if putting up posters will increase recycling of aluminum posters will increase recycling of aluminum cans. cans.

Making Paper airplanesMaking Paper airplanes

Make two different styles of paper Make two different styles of paper airplanesairplanes

Make a prediction which one will fly a Make a prediction which one will fly a longer distance?longer distance?

Paper airplanesPaper airplanes

Which one flew further?Which one flew further?Write a hypothesis If… Then… Because…Write a hypothesis If… Then… Because…How could you test your hypothesis?How could you test your hypothesis?