Scientists
What do scientists study?
The natural world.
What usually begins a scientific investigation?
A question or observation.
What do we call a factor in an experiment that can change?
A variable.
What is a person who uses science, math, creativity, and problem-solving to create solutions?
An engineer.
Name one tool scientists use to organize data.
Graph, chart, or map.
Why do scientists make observations?
To gather information about the world and help answer questions.
What is a hypothesis?
An explanation or prediction that can be tested.
Which variable is purposely changed by the scientist?
Independent variable.
What is a prototype?
The first model of a design.
Why are graphs useful to scientists?
They organize information and make data easier to understand.
Why do scientists repeat experiments?
To check whether their results are reliable.
What is the main difference between the scientific method and scientific inquiry?
The scientific method is an organized way to test a hypothesis; inquiry is the larger process of asking questions and investigating.
What variable is measured because it responds to the independent variable?
Dependent (Responding) variable.
After engineers create a prototype, what should they normally do next?
Test it.
Engineers live in different states while designing an airplane. How can the internet help them?
Communicate ideas and share data.
A scientist receives results that do not match an earlier published experiment. What should the scientist do?
Repeat the experiment and check the data.
Why is a scientific method considered systematic?
It follows an organized or planned process for investigating a question. Step bgy step method.
In an experiment testing fertilizer, one group gets fertilizer and one gets only water. Which group is the control group?
The plants receiving only water.
A bicycle helmet prototype breaks during normal use. How should engineers view the failed prototype?
As information that can help them improve or redesign the solution.
What does it mean for a scientist to remain objective?
Analyze all results without letting personal opinions change the interpretation.
A scientist compares carbon dioxide levels with the frequency of volcanic eruptions. What relationship is the scientist most likely investigating?
Whether volcanic eruptions are related to the amount of carbon dioxide released.
Put these ideas in a logical scientific sequence: gather data, form a hypothesis, make observations, ask questions.
Make observations → ask questions → form a hypothesis → gather data/test predictions.
A student tests whether water temperature changes how quickly sugar dissolves. Identify the independent variable, dependent variable, control group, and experimental group.
IV: water temperature; DV: time to dissolve; control: cold water; experimental: hot water.
Roger builds a bird feeder, but birds cannot reach the food because the opening is too small. According to the engineering design process, what should he do and why?
Redesign/improve it because testing revealed a problem with the prototype.
Explain why sharing data is important when engineers work as a team.
It allows team members to compare results, communicate ideas, make decisions, and improve the design together.