Scientific Method

List the steps of the scientific method that you remember.

What is the Scientific Method?

It is a process that is used to find answers to questions about the world around us.

A hypothesis is a prediction of what you think your results will be (based on research)

Variables Variable held Constant: What Stays

the SAME during the experiment because you are not testing it

Independent variable: What YOU CHANGE during the experiment

Dependent variable: How you test the independent variable (what YOU OBSERVE or MEASURE)

Control Group

The “normal” – the group or set-up that does not receive the independent variableUsed to create a comparison with the test groups

1. Independent Variable2. Dependent Variable3. ONE Variable held Constant1. Independent Variable- Special Juice

2. Dependent Variable- Productivity of workers3. ONE Variable held Constant- Same number of workers

1. Independent Variable2. Dependent Variable3. ONE Variable held Constant1. Independent Variable- Coconut Juice

2. Dependent Variable- Amount of green slime3. ONE Variable held Constant- Same shower

Scientific Method – Controls and Variables

SpongeBob and his Bikini Bottom Pals have been busy doing a little research.

For each experiment, determine the

1. Control Group 2. Constant Variables3. The Independent Variable4. The Dependent Variable

Marshmallow MusclesLarry was told that a certain muscle cream was the newest best thing on the market and claims to double a person’s muscle power when used as part of a muscle-building workout. Interested in this product, he buys the special muscle cream and recruits Patrick and SpongeBob to help him with an experiment.

Larry develops a special marshmallow weight-lifting program for Patrick and SpongeBob. He meets with them once every day for a period of 2 weeks and keeps track of their results.

Before each session Patrick’s arms and back are lathered in the muscle cream, while Sponge Bob’s arms and back are lathered with the regular lotion.1. Control Group

2. Constant Variables3. The Independent

Variable4. The Dependent

Variable1. Control Group- Sponge BOB 2. Constant Variables-amount of time, same

program3. The Independent Variable-muscle cream4. The Dependent Variable- amount of muscle power

Question

Independent Variable(What I

change)

Dependent Variables

(What I observe)

Variable held Constant (What I keep the same)

Does heating a cup of water allow it to dissolve more sugar?

Temperature of the water measured in degrees Centigrade

Amount of sugar that dissolves completely measured in grams

Stirring Type of sugar Size of cupAmount of water

Does fertilizer make a plant grow bigger?

Amount of fertilizer measured in grams

Growth of the plant measured by its height

Growth of the plant measured by the number of leaves

Size of pot Type of plant in each

pot Type and amount of soil Amount of water and

light Measurements of

growth taken at equal times

1. Control Group 2. The Independent

Variable3. The Dependent

Variable1. Control Variables- same materials for bottle2. The Independent Variable- length of tubing for bottles nose cone3. The Dependent Variable- amount of time in air (aloft)