Scientific Thinking
Should you make an observation or an inference first?
An observation, because it provides evidence for making an inference
In an experiment testing how water affects plant growth, what is the independent variable if you change the amount of water?
The amount of water.
What does mean tell you, and how do you calculate it?
The average. Add all the numbers and divide by the number of values.
classifying / categorizing
How many years has Mrs. Shedd been teaching?
5, but this is her 6th year
You think someone is baking because you smell cinnamon. What is the observation and what is the inference?
Observation: You smell cinnamon.
Inference: Someone is baking.
Any factor or condition in an experiment that can change or be changed.
variable
A plant is 15 centimeters tall. Is this a quantitative or qualitative observation?
Quantitative, because it uses a number and measurement.
An explanation or interpretation based on observations and prior knowledge.
inference
What is a show Mrs. Shedd used to watch as a kid?
Adventure Time
Steven Universe
Avatar: The Last Airbender
What do scientists use to learn about the natural world?
Observations and experiments.
Name two controlled variables in an experiment testing how water affects plant growth.
type of plant, soil, pot size, or amount of sunlight.
Create your own data set with three numbers, and then find the mode of your own data.
Sooo many possibilities! Check for accuracy :)
The responding variable is also called the ____ variable and goes on the ___ axis.
The manipulated variable is also called a ___ variable and goes on the ___ axis.
D - Dependent M - Manipulated
R - Responding I - Independent
Y - Y axis X - X axis
How old is Mrs. Shedd?
27 :o
What should you do if your experimental results do not support your hypothesis? Write at least three things.
1. Record the results honestly.
2. Review the data.
3. Write a conclusion.
4. Conduct another experiment.
Why should scientists control all variables except the independent variable?
So scientists can determine whether the independent variable caused a change in the dependent variable.
Only median
What is the difference between a hypothesis and a conclusion?
Hypothesis - If then statement that can be tested to explain what will happen in an experiment.
Conclusion - Explains if the hypothesis was correct or not, then explains what happened in an experiment using data.
What class did Mrs. Shedd get the most detentions in during middle school?
English - I didn't do the homework :/
1. It can be tested through an experiment
2. There is a clear dependent and independent variable.
Why do scientists do multiple trials in an experiment? Write at least two reasons.
So they can get more accurate data! The more they test, the more consistent the results will be in finding MMMR.
On a graph showing plant height after different amounts of watering, what belongs on the x-axis and y-axis?
The x-axis shows the independent variable (amount of water). The y-axis shows the dependent variable (plant height). Both axes should be labeled, with appropriate units.
What are properties of a material? Name two examples.
Characteristics that distinguish materials, such as color, texture, hardness, or density.
What would be Mrs. Shedd's C level super power?
Being able to identify every plant by name!