Scientific Method

Vocabulary

Mass the amount of matter in an object. [Grams - g] (Matter is all the stuff/atoms/molecules that make the object. Matter has mass & takes up space)	Volume The amount of space the object takes up. [Liter - L]	Length The distance between two points [Meter - m]
Observing Using one or more of your 5 senses (or using scientific instruments) to gather information about the world.	Inferring Interpretation of an observation. Ex: He has a skateboard, therefore he must be a skateboarder	Predicting Making an inference about a future event based on current evidence or past experience.
Classifying Grouping together items that are alike in some way.	Models A picture, diagram, computer image or other representation of a complex object or process	Scientific Question a question that can be answered by gathering evidence.
Hypothesis A possible explanation for a set of observations or answer to a scientific question. It is also an unsupported claim/statement & it can be worded in an if/then statement. Ex: If I want my seed to sprout then it must be in full sun because the seed needs the warmth for energy	Variable Any factor that can change in an experiment. Ex: What type of seeds I use	Independent Variable the factor / variable that "I" change. Ex: My independent variable is if the seed is in the sun or in the dark
Dependent Variable the factor / variable that changes as a result of the change "I" made. It's the factor that you measure or observe. Ex: The dependent variable is if the seed grows or not	Controlled Variable the factor / variable that I make sure does not change during an experiment. Ex: In all trails I will use the same type of dirt	Data The observations and measurements you make in an experiment. (also known as facts, evidence). Ex: I will see how big the plants in the sun are compared to the plants in the shade
Conclusion A statement that sums up what you have learned from an experiment. (In a conclusion - you determine if your data supports or rejects your hypothesis). Ex: Plants in the sun grow bigger than plants in the dark	Evidence facts or data that is collected throughout an experiment, and is used to base a conclusion	Theory a well tested idea that explains and connects a wide range of observations Ex: Dinosaurs evolved into birds
Controlled Experiment An experiment where all the factors are kept constant - except one (the Independent variable) to see how it affects another variable.

Scientific Method Packet

Day 1 : Lab Skills

Lab Skill, Units of Measurement.pptx

Labs are an important part of our class. We need to make sure that we understand the principles for all labs. In the three labs that we did on Day 1, we measured mass, volume and length. We also made sure that we used metric units, a system of units that is easy to use and universally excepted in science.

Homework: Pg 13- 15 in packet

Day 3: Thinking Like a Scientist

Starter Questions:

1. Define Hypothesis

2. What is the differnce between fact and infrence?

Thinking Like a scientist.pptx

There are four characteristics of scientist that we will be working on developing through out the year. They are observing, infering, predicting and making models. These are important in applying the scientific method and having a better understanding of the natural world. Observation, the first characteristic, has two different types. Qualitative observations are made with the 5 senses. The second is Quantitative observations and are made by using math or a measuring instrument. These are the fundamental components to making good observations. Inferences are what you come to when you combine the observations made and your back ground knowledge, and then make an assumption. Now an Inference is very different from a Hypothesis. A Hypothesis is the possible explanation for a set of observations or an answer to a scientific question. It is NOT an educated guess. A Hypothesis is the starting point for all research. It is a question or gap in knowledge that needs to be filled.

Homework: Pg 18-19

Here is a video on infrence

Day 5: Theory & Law

1. How many ways are there to answer a scientific question?

2. What is the difference between Independent and Dependent Variables?

Theory and Law.pptx

In Science the idea of theory and Law are different from the ideas used in every day conversation. A Theory is a well tested idea that is still changing and being understood. It needs a large body of evidence before it can be excepted as a theory. A Law is a scientific fact, something that has never changed and never will. An example would be gravity. we know that it exists and that it will always exist. To deminstrate this principle of theory and how it changes, we did the black bottle demo. This challanged the mind and let each student to try new ideas. To find the black bottle demo here is a link to Mr Beadle's page. http://vhmsscience.weebly.com/scientific-method.html

Day 2: Field Research

Field Research & Data Analysis.pptx

Day 2 Quiz

There is only so much that a scientist can learn in the lab. By working in the field more data can collected and observations can be made. Our lab was collect data (or words) and try to find connections between the semmingly random words. When we analyze the data, we are looking at the connections between facts, the simularities, or differences.

Day 4: Lab Development Basics

Starter Questions

1. List one thing you learned about doing research

2. What is the difference between Qualitative and Quantitative observations?

Day 5 Quiz

Today we looked at Pennies and water. On page 20 and 21, the chart leads us through the fundamental parts of a lab. We start will basic observations like: the penny is shiny, or the water sticks to the surface. Then we write down any background knowledge that we have about pennies and water. An extra column was included so that we had space to include inferences that we had about the penny and the interaction with the water. There were also questions developed, about the things that were seen. These questions became the basis for next part of the lab. Variable were the next sections explored. There are many things that can be changed in the lab, like size of the drop, or what could be added to the water. We can use these variables to come up with a testable question and a hypothesis. To test the question we must develop procedures to follow. These are important and must be very clear so the experiment can be repeated by others. When we conducted the experiment we make new observations. At the end of the lab, we wrote a conclusion based on the experiment conducted. A conclusion has 4 parts. The first is restatement of the hypothesis and whether the experiment answered it or not. The second is what happened during the lab and if there was any unique or unexpected data. The third is any experimental error that occurred in the lab. These could be the surface of the pennies not being the same, or drops being different sizes. The last part of the conclusion is explaining any further research or experiments that might need to be done to explain your hypothesis or answer any questions that occured during the lab.

Day 6: Informational texts

Day 7 Quiz

Today we looked at the best methods for researching and looking at scientific texts. There is so much information out there for us to look at and discover. The trouble is that not all of it is accurate or what is needed for a science class. When doing research, I will not except Wikipedia as a source. However, it can be a great place to start your research. The information can get you thinking and there are refences that are listed on the bottom of the page that can aid in finding further information. Another great place to look for information is Google Scholar. Google has made it easy to search for reviewed articles from scholars and professors from around the world.

Another great source of information is books and magazines. They can cover a wide range of topics and persectives. There is one word of caution to this. Be aware of any bias that might be in the text. Not all publications are looking to give you all of the facts. Some are more interested in the spectacular nature of the store. This doesn't make them bad or wrong, its just something to be aware of.

Homework: Informational Texts

Find and Print a Scientific article and follow the instructions on the attached sheet.