The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method

By Mrs. VennBy Mrs. VennAdapted from Mindy Semple’s presentation:Adapted from Mindy Semple’s presentation:

““Integrating the Scientific Method and the Integrating the Scientific Method and the Science Fair”Science Fair”

1) Ask a testable 1) Ask a testable question.question.

I wonder…I wonder…

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2) Form a hypothesis.2) Form a hypothesis.

If ________, then If ________, then ________.________.

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3) Plan the procedure 3) Plan the procedure and gather materials.and gather materials.

I’ll try…I’ll try…

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4) Conduct an 4) Conduct an investigation to gather investigation to gather

data.data.

I do…I do…

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5) Record and 5) Record and interpret data.interpret data.

I see…I see…

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6) Write a conclusion.6) Write a conclusion.

I learned…I learned…

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Testable questionsTestable questions

NOT based on someone’s opinionNOT based on someone’s opinion

NOT answerable just by researchNOT answerable just by research

NOT so broad that there are more NOT so broad that there are more than one answerthan one answer

Let’s try it!Let’s try it! Go to the next step

HypothesesHypotheses

A prediction based on research A prediction based on research (educated guess) to answer your (educated guess) to answer your questionquestionIf __If __(this happens) (IV)(this happens) (IV)__, then __, then ____(this will happen) (DV)(this will happen) (DV)__.__.

Let’s try it!Let’s try it! – – Go to the next step

ProcedureProcedure

Materials list – list EVERYTHING Materials list – list EVERYTHING you’ll needyou’ll needSteps in the investigation:Steps in the investigation: Be very specific – act like the directions are Be very specific – act like the directions are

for a 1for a 1stst grader grader Number the stepsNumber the steps Write in imperative sentences (action verbs)Write in imperative sentences (action verbs)

Let’s try it!Let’s try it! – – Go to the next step

InvestigationInvestigation

An investigation is an experimentAn investigation is an experiment

In an investigation, there are different In an investigation, there are different types of types of variablesvariables – – things that can things that can change or be changed:change or be changed: IndependentIndependent (IV)(IV) – – what “I” changewhat “I” change DependantDependant (DV)(DV) – – what changes on its own – we what changes on its own – we

measure itmeasure it Constant Condition (CC)Constant Condition (CC) – – things that we keep the things that we keep the

same to make it a fair test same to make it a fair test

Independent VariableIndependent Variable

The change in the investigation The change in the investigation that affects its resultsthat affects its results

IV - What “I” change IV - What “I” change

What we are testingWhat we are testing

Let’s try it!Let’s try it! – –

Dependent VariableDependent Variable

How we measure the changeHow we measure the change

It changes It changes because of because of the the independent variableindependent variable

Let’s try it!Let’s try it! – Heart rate – Heart rate investigationinvestigation

Constant VariablesConstant Variables

Things you keep the same in all Things you keep the same in all groupsgroups

Ensures a fair testEnsures a fair test

Let’s try it!Let’s try it! – – Go to the next step

DataData

Qualitative dataQualitative data Observations using your 5 sensesObservations using your 5 senses

Quantitative dataQuantitative data Numerical dataNumerical data

Display your data on:Display your data on:Data tablesData tablesGraphsGraphs

Data TablesData Tables

- Organized graphic to display results- Organized graphic to display results

Which Liquid Dissolves the Candy Fastest?Which Liquid Dissolves the Candy Fastest?

LiquidLiquid Time Time ObservationsObservations

VinegarVinegar 29 mn29 mn Smells funny, red, moving, Smells funny, red, moving, bubbles, floatiesbubbles, floaties

WaterWater 32 mn32 mn Floaties, red swirlsFloaties, red swirls

Hand soapHand soap 33 mn33 mn Looks stiff, cloudy color, red in Looks stiff, cloudy color, red in blobsblobs

SpriteSprite 30 mn30 mn Bubbly, red swirls, smells sweetBubbly, red swirls, smells sweet

Bar graphsBar graphs

Compares Compares two or more two or more thingsthings

Which Liquid Dissolves Which Liquid Dissolves the Candy Fastest?the Candy Fastest?

VV WW HSHS SS

Line graphsLine graphsChange over timeChange over time

Go to the next step

What happens to the temperature of water when ice is added?

Let’s try it!Let’s try it! – –

ConclusionConclusion

Conclusion statementConclusion statement What happened? (Data)What happened? (Data) Was your hypothesis supported?Was your hypothesis supported?

Inference statementInference statement Explains why you think the experiment went Explains why you think the experiment went

the way it did.the way it did.

Let’s try it!Let’s try it! – – Start over

Teacher’s MaterialsTeacher’s Materials

Notes pagesNotes pages

InvestigationsInvestigations

Other assignmentsOther assignments