Scientific method
What is the first step of the scientific method?
Make observations and ask questions.
What is a conclusion?
Tell the results of your experiment and whether or not your hypothesis was proved true or false.
What is the independent variable?
The variable that a scientist changes during an experiment.
Three redwood trees are kept at different humidity levels inside a greenhouse for 12 weeks. One tree is left outside in normal conditions. Height of the trees is measured once a week. CV________________
The tree left outside in normal conditions
Lisa is working on a science project. Her task is to answer the question: "Does Rogooti (which is a commercial hair product) affect the speed of hair growth?" IV_____________ DV_____________
IV: Rogooti or not
DV: speed of hair growth
What is the second step of the scientific method?
Make a hypothesis.
Why is it important to share results?
So other people will know the outcome of your experiment and won't repeat the exact same one.
What is the dependent variable?
The variable that is being measured or tested during an experiment.
Three redwood trees are kept at different humidity levels inside a greenhouse for 12 weeks. One tree is left outside in normal conditions. Height of the trees is measured once a week. IV___________ DV___________
IV: different humidity levels
DV: height of the trees
Justin usually blows his nose using Kleenex tissues. His snot keeps leaking through the tissue. He decided he is going to create an experiment to find out if there is something better. What is his dependent variable?
DV: amount of snot leaking through tissue
What is the third step of the scientific method?
Experiment. Test your hypothesis.
What is a hypothesis?
An educated guess or prediction about what you think will happen in an experiment.
What is a controlled variable?
A variable or variables that stay the same during an experiment.
One tank of gold fish is fed the normal amount of food once a day, a second tank is fed twice a day, and a third tank four times a day during 6 weeks. The fish's weight is recorded daily. IV____________ DV____________
IV: number of feedings
DV: weight of fish
Justin usually blows his nose using Kleenex tissues. His snot keeps leaking through the tissue. He decided he is going to create an experiment to find out if there is something better. What is his independent variable?
IV: different brands of tissues
What is the fourth step of the scientific method?
Gather data and draw a conclusion.
Sometimes you must do ________________ to find out more information about your question.
research
Independent variables are also known as ____________ variables.
HINT: DRY MIX
Manipulated
One tank of gold fish is fed the normal amount of food once a day, a second tank is fed twice a day, and a third tank four times a day during 6 weeks. The fish's weight is recorded daily. CV___________________
CV: the tank of fish fed the normal amount
Mrs. Burr wanted to see how different types of music affected students' pulse rates. She played different types of music: heavy metal, rap, R&B, alternative, pop, country, and classical music. IV________________ DV______________
IV: type of music
DV: pulse rates
What is the fifth step of the scientific method?
Write a report and share your results with a friend, teacher, parent, or other scientist.
What are variables?
Variables are factors that change during an experiment.
Dependent variables are also known as _____________ variables.
HINT: DRY MIX
Responding
You decide to clean the bathroom once a day for two weeks. You notice that the shower is covered in a strange green slime. You decide to try and get rid of the slime by adding lemon juice. You spray half of the shower with lemon juice and spray the other half with water. You record how clean the shower is everyday. IV_____________ DV______________
IV: lemon juice or not
DV: cleanliness of shower
Nick wanted to see how high an ice cube would float in different temperatures of water. IV_____________ DV_____________
IV: temperature of water
DV: height of floating ice cube