Benchmark I.1.MS.2

1. Benchmark I.1.MS.2 • Design and conduct scientific investigations. (I.1.MS.2) • You will need to know the steps of the scientific method in order.

2. The steps of the Scientific Method are… • Purpose • Hypothesis • Materials • Procedure • Data • Results • Conclusions • Limitations

3. Scientific Method Lesson • Scientific Method link to explanation and online lesson. Authorware program…. • Science Guys- • Scientific Method

4. Purpose • Always a question. (research question) • Answers the question, “What are you trying to prove?” • Relates to observing and inferring.

5. Scenario • Close your eyes… Imagine that you are on the lake enjoying a beautiful sunny day in Michigan. You lay near the water listening to the wind and hearing distant laughter of children playing. Your eyes remain closed as the sun pours out its warm rays onto your body. You lay still and smell the aroma of cooking foods. You begin feel a gentle breeze blow across your body and also a sprinkle of sand on your feet. Although your eyes are closed, you are able to sense a shadow cast over your body. You open your eyes and your friend is standing by your feet with a big smile and holding a large bucket. A cold sensation takes over your body. You sit-up immediately, flinch intensively, your eyes and mouth open widely as you feel the cold water blanket your body. You gasp for air as the water drips from your body and your skin begins to pimple from the cold. You can taste the lake water as it drips into your mouth. You stare perplexed at your friend and then begin to put the pieces together. You were soaked with cold lake water. You begin to smile as you hear the cheer of all your friends and family as everyone races into the lake.

6. Observation & Measurement • The basis of all scientific investigations is observation. • Scientists are careful to make their observations accurate. • When possible they use instruments, like microscopes, telescopes, meter sticks, odometers, speedometers, thermometers, etc…to extend their senses. • Science Guys – • Let’s Observe

7. Elephant Observations Long ago in a distant land 6 blind men lived together. All of them had heard of elephants, but none had ever “seen” one. When they heard that an elephant and his trainer would be visiting their village they all wanted an encounter with the beast. They made their way to the site where the elephant was being kept. Each blind man touched the elephant and made his observations.

8. Elephant Observations & Inferences One man touched the elephants side and said, “An elephant is like a wall.” Another man touched the trunk and said, “An elephant is like a snake” Another man touched the tusk and said, “An elephant is like a spear.” Another man touched a leg and said, “An elephant is like a tree.” Another man touched an ear and said, “An elephant is like a fan.” The last man touched the tail and said, “An elephant is like a rope”

9. Qualitative • A qualitative observation is an observation that does not involve any measurement or numbers. • Instead of something measurable, it describes a quality of things. • "The rose is red" is qualitative.

10. Quantitative • Often scientists will use instrument to make measurements. • When observations involve measurements, they are called quantitative observations. • Because measurements are easy to communicate and provide a concrete means of comparing collected data, scientists use them whenever possible.

11. Inferences • Scientists often use their observations to make inferences. • An inference is an attempt to explain or interpret observations or to determine what caused what was observed. • For example, if you observed smoke rising from the roof of a house you may infer that the house is on fire. The only way to be sure your inference is correct is to investigate further.

12. Observations vs. Inferences • Don’t confuse observations and inferences.

13. Hypothesis • Educated guess • Predicts • Stated as “If_________, Then ________” • Must know variables first. If the (manipulated variable) increases or decreases, Then the (responding variable) will increase or decrease. Example: If the intake of junk food increases, then the student’s weight will increase.

14. Variables • Root word…vary (variety) • Things that could possibly change within an experiment.

15. 3 Types of Variables • Manipulated Variable (Independent)- • Something that is INTENTIONALLY CHANGED. • Responding Variable (Dependent)- • What might be AFFECTED by changing the manipulated variable. • What you MEASURE. • Controlled Variable(s)- • What you intentionally KEEP THE SAME. • Can be more than one.

16. Validity • Only test one manipulated variable at a time. • If more than one manipulated variable is altered, the results of an experiment cannot be interpreted with any validity.

17. Validity Example • For example… • In an experiment on plant growth, if both the amount of water, and amount of sunlight are changed (manipulated variable), then how can one be sure which is causing the change in the responding variable?

18. Hypothesis • Educated guess • Predicts • Stated as “If_________, Then ________” • Express a logical explanation that can be tested. • Focus the experiment.

19. Hypothesis Writing • Identify the manipulated and responding variables. • Complete the hypothesis statement according to the following format. If the (manipulated variable) increases/decreases, then the (responding variable) will increase/decrease.

20. Materials • A list of the ITEMS YOU NEED to complete the experiment.

21. Procedure • A list of the STEPS YOU TAKE to complete the experiment.

22. Data • Tables • Graphs • Pictures • Diagrams

23. Types of Graphs

24. Graphing Components • Title • Labels • x and y axis • Scale • Must clearly convey information.

25. Results • Analyzed data. • What does the data mean? • Generalizations

26. Conclusions • Factual summary of data. • Restated hypothesis, showing proof or impossibility.

27. Conclusion Example • If hypothesis states… • If the temperature of the seed increases, then the number of seeds that sprout will increase. • Then the conclusion should state… • In conclusion, if the temperature of the seed increases, then the number of seeds that sprout will increase, was not proven by this experiment. (or proven whichever the case may be)

28. Limitations • A list of errors or inaccuracies possible. • Anything that may have been beyond your control, but affected the experiment anyway.

29. Experiment Report • ..\..\Science Lessons\Process Skills\Plate Faces\Scientific Method.wpd