Lab Safety
During a lab, a student accidentally spills a chemical on the table. What should the student do first?
a. Clean it up without telling the anyone
b. Ignore it if the spill is small
c. Immediately report the spill to the teacher
d. Ask another student to clean it up
c. Immediately report the spill to the teacher
Which step of the scientific method comes first?
A. Hypothesis
B. Investigation
C. Observation
D. Conclusion
C. Observation
The study of the natural world using observations, evidence, and investigations.
Science
An attitude of doubt that causes you to ask for evidence before accepting a claim.
Skepticism
Maria notices that the plant sitting near the classroom window has more leaves than the plant sitting in a cabinet. She writes down, “The plant near the window has 18 leaves, while the plant in the cabinet has 7 leaves.” She then asks, “Does the amount of sunlight a plant receives affect the number of leaves it grows?”
What type of observation did Maria make?
What is Maria's question?
1. Quantitative observation because she used numbers to describe what she observed.
2. "Does the amount of sunlight a plant receives affect the number of leaves it grows?"
Which action is NOT allowed in the science classroom?
A. Following the teacher's instructions
B. Wearing safety goggles during an investigation
C. Eating or drinking during a lab
D. Asking questions when you are unsure what to do
C. Eating or drinking during a lab
. A student notices that a plant near a window is taller than a plant in a dark corner. What is this an example of?
A. Conclusion
B. Observation
C. Hypothesis
D. Data
B. Observation
Information gathered using your senses or scientific tools.
Observation
Rules that help people know what is right and wrong and make responsible choices.
Ethics
Jayden believes his favorite soda is the best soda. When his class tests different sodas, he expects his favorite to receive the highest rating. When the results show that another soda received the highest rating, Jayden says the test must be wrong because his favorite soda is better.
What type of bias is Jayden showing?
Is Jayden's conclusion objective or subjective? Explain.
1. Personal Bias because his own preferences are affecting how he interprets the results.
2. Subjective because his conclusion is based on his personal opinion rather than the evidence.
A student finds a piece of broken glass during a lab. What should the student do?
A. Pick it up with their bare hands
B. Put it in their backpack
C. Report it to the teacher and follow the teacher's directions
D. Push it under the table
C. Report it to the teacher and follow the teacher's directions
Which statement is the best example of a hypothesis?
A. The plant grew 5 centimeters in one week.
B. Plants need sunlight.
C. If a plant receives more sunlight, then it will grow taller.
D. The plant was measured every day.
C. If a plant receives more sunlight, then it will grow taller.
An observation that describes qualities or characteristics using words rather than numbers.
Qualitative Observation
Making decisions or drawing conclusions based on available evidence rather than personal feelings.
Objective
A website claims that wearing a special bracelet can improve a person's memory. Elena does not immediately believe the claim. She asks, “What evidence shows that the bracelet works? How was it tested? Were multiple people tested?”
1. What scientific thinking skill is Elena demonstrating?
2. Why is this important when evaluating scientific claims?
1. Skepticism
2. Scientists should look for evidence before accepting a claim as true.
Why should students wear safety goggles during certain investigations?
A. They make it easier to see the data
B. They protect the eyes from possible hazards
C. They help students finish experiments faster
D. They are only required when the teacher is watching
B. They protect the eyes from possible hazards
A student tests three different types of soil to determine which helps a plant grow the tallest. She records the height of each plant every day. What part of the scientific method is she completing?
A. Question
B. Investigation
C. Conclusion
D. Observation
B. Investigation
An observation that uses numbers or measurements.
Quantitative Observation
Starting with a general rule or principle and applying it to a specific situation.
Deductive Reasoning
A student wants to find out whether fertilizer helps plants grow. He gives one plant fertilizer and gives another plant only water. However, he places the fertilizer plant next to a sunny window and the other plant in a dark corner. After two weeks, the fertilizer plant is taller.
1. What type of bias could be present?
2. Why might this investigation not provide strong evidence about fertilizer?
1.Experimental bias.
2. The plants received different amounts of sunlight, so there was another factor that could have caused one plant to grow more. The investigation was not a fair comparison.
A student is unsure how to use a piece of science equipment. What should the student do?
A. Try to figure it out independently
B. Watch another student and copy them
C. Ask the teacher for help before using it
D. Use it anyway and stop if something goes wrong
C. Ask the teacher for help before using it
After completing an investigation, a student looks at the data and decides whether the evidence supports her hypothesis. Which step is this?
A. Question
B. Hypothesis
C. Investigation
D. Conclusion
D. Conclusion
A person's own beliefs, experiences, preferences, or expectations that can influence how they understand information.
Personal Bias
Using specific observations or examples to develop a broader pattern or general conclusion.
Inductive Reasoning
A scientist wants to learn how an animal reacts to a loud sound. The scientist considers an experiment that could cause the animal unnecessary pain or harm. Instead, the scientist changes the investigation so the animal can be studied without unnecessary harm.
1. What concept is demonstrated in this scenario?
2. Why is it important?
1. Ethics.
2. Scientists should make responsible choices and avoid unnecessary harm while conducting investigations.