Scientific

Method

Science Stations

This should be a review of the scientific

method
8 Stations
Read the information at each station and
follow the directions
Answer the questions at each station on your
handout
You will have 7 minutes at each station, when
the buzzer goes off move to the next station.

Warm Up

8/17/16

What do you think this word is? How is your process of

determining this word analogous to science?

SGI5NG
5

Warm Up

8/17/16

Is the word SCIENCE?

SGI5NG
5

1.Testable Questions

Can I create an experiment to find the answer?

Does it provide data to be measured?
Is it answered with a yes or no?

In order for a question to be testable we must be

able to create an experiment to find the answer.

1.Testable Questions
1. ___ Which gum makes the biggest bubble?
2. ___ Which gum is the most expensive?
3. ___ How does the eye work?
4. ___ Which brand of football gloves are the stickiest?
5. ___ Which brand of football gloves are made with leather?
6. ___ Does fertilizer affect plant growth?
7. ___ At which height will water splatter the largest
diameter?
8. ___ How many elements are there?

Check for Understanding

What would be a good testable question for this
scenario?
One tank of goldfish 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 a six week study.
The fishs weight is recorded daily.

2. Lab Equipment

3
2

3. Science vs.
Pseudoscience

3. Science vs.
Pseudoscience

The study
of matter

The
transmutati
on of matter

3. Science vs.
Pseudoscience
The study
of size
and shape
of the
cranium
to
determine
character
and
intelligen
ce

The study of
how the
brain works

3. Science vs.
Pseudoscience

Illusions

The study of
matter and
energy

3. Science vs.
Pseudoscience
The study
of relative
positions
of
celestial
bodies
having an
effect on
humans

The study of
celestial
objects

5. Variables
Independent Variables: The variable, I, as the experimenter,
change/determine/manipulate.
Dependent Variables: The variable that is measured and
compared to the changes made to the independent variable.
Control Variables: The variable(s) that remain the same in all
trials of the experiment.

Check for Understanding

Identify the variables for this scenario.
One tank of goldfish 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 a six week study.
The fishs weight is recorded daily.

6. Data Table
In
de
pe
nd
en
t
Va
ria
bl
e

Dependent
Variables De
riv
ed
Qu
an
Tri Tri Tri tit
al al al
y
1
2
3 (u
nit
)

Data Table
Record this data on your data table...
Dependent
Variables
(mass of
In
fish)
de
pe
nd
en
t
Va
ria
bl
e
(n
u W W W
ee ee ee

De
riv
ed
Qu
an
tit
y
(a

7. Graphs
The independent variable is on the x-axis
The dependent variable is on the y-axis

Scientific
Method, Data
Representation
& Labs

Scientific Method
The scientific method is a continuous, or ongoing, process.
Make
Observations
Develop
General
Theories

Question
Refine, Alter,
Expand, Reject
Hypothesis

Gather Data

Research

Hypothesis

Make Observations

What do I see in nature?

This can be from ones own
experiences, thoughts, or reading

Think of Interesting
Questions

These questions need to be testable

Can you run an experiment in order to answer

your question?

Research

Use reliable, peer reviewed, sources of

information
What are the general causes of the
phenomenon I am wondering about?

Hypothesis

A testable prediction
If my hypothesis is correct, then I
expect a, b &c.

Gather Data to Test

Predictions

Relevant data can come from the

literature, new observations, or formal
experiments.
Thorough testing requires replication to
verify results.

Refine, Alter, Expand, or Reject

Hypothesis

What does my data say? How does this

relate to my hypothesis? Should I run
further tests and adjust my variables?

Develop General Theories

General theories must be consistent

with most or all available data and with
other current theories.

Disclaimer!!!

The scientific method is not always a

linear process!

Know the Difference!

Hypothesis

Testable explanation to a question

Often follows if., then. format

Theory
Supported by a large
body of scientific
evidence
Explains how nature
works
Non-mathematical

Example: Atomic

Law

Describes what nature does under

certain conditions
Can be reduced to a simple
mathematical equation
Example: Law of
Conservation of
Mass