Transcript The Scientific Method

The
Scientific
Method
th
5
Grade
What is the Scientific Method?
• The Scientific Method
involves a series of steps
that are used to
investigate a natural
occurrence.
The Steps
1. Problem/Question: Develop a
question or problem that can be
solved through experimentation.
Problem/Question
• Scientists often decide on the problems or
mysteries they want to solve. Usually,
scientists come up with questions by
looking at the world around them. "Hey
look! What's that?“
• Example: Have you ever wondered
why the plant grows toward
the window?
The Steps
2. Observation/Research: Make
observations and research your
topic of interest.
Observation/Research
• Have you ever noticed if you place a plant
near a window, that after a while, the plant
grows or leans toward the window?
The Steps
3. Formulate a Hypothesis:
Predict a possible answer to
the problem or question.
Hypothesis
• What reasons or factors can you list
that might cause a plant to lean or
grow toward a window? For example,
do you think that
• Example: If it is true that plants
respond to the light and I grow a plant
in the dark, then I should see a
difference or change in the direction
the plant is growing/leaning.
The Steps
4. Experiment: Develop and
follow a procedure.
- Include a detailed materials
list.
- The outcome must be
measurable (quantifiable).
Experiment
• For ten days, we will place 4 live
flowers in a completely dark cupboard,
while the other 4 flowers will be placed
in a window sill. This is, thus, the
control group, and the flowers in the
cupboard are the experimental group.
Because there are four flowers, that
both makes it a true group and makes
sure there is adequate replication in
this experiment.
The Steps
5. Collect and Analyze
Results: Modify the
procedure if needed.
Confirm the results by
retesting.
Include tables, graphs, and
photographs.
Collect and Analyze Results:
• The experiment is a bit weak. All that is
specified, data-wise is a general
physical inspection at the end of the ten
days to see which flowers subjectively,
looks the most healthy. Based on the
physical inspection at the end of the ten
days, the “data” were that the four
flowers in the window sill appeared
“healthier and better nourished”, than
those which were placed in the
cupboard ended up trailing over the side
of the pot.
The Steps
6. Conclusion: Include a
statement that accepts or
rejects the hypothesis.
Make recommendations for
further study and possible
improvements to the
procedure.
Conclusion
• Based on the data (the observed
differences in appearance), it was
concluded that plants need sunlight
to grow healthy and strong, and thus
keeping them from light will grow in a
different direction or lean. Also, it is
not a very good idea and will kill the
plants.
The Steps
7. Communicate the
Results: Be prepared to
present the project to an
audience.
Expect questions from the
audience.
Communicate the Results
• This is an example of how you could share your
results. You will have an opportunity to create one of
these later in the year for the Science Fair.
Let’s Practice
• Every good detective has a specific
method that they use every single time
they solve crimes. In the story “The Case
of the Ruined Roses”, Max and Nina use a
method that’s identical to the one
scientists use, The Scientific Method.
“The Case of the Ruined Roses”
Work with a partner
• Now go through the story and fill in your
Scientific Method sheet with the
information.
Question
• Question: Nina asked, “Who could have done
it?”
This means putting the question you want to
answer or problem you want to solve into words.
Observation
• Observation: The first thing Max and Nina did
was look at the roses, the scene of the crime.
This means looking, listening to, and otherwise
evaluating the situation in order to identify a
problem, issue, or question.
Hypothesis
• Hypothesis: Nina said, “I'll bet one of them (the
benched players) did it to get even.”
This means coming up with a reasonable
answer to your question or problem, one that
you will be testing.
Experiment
– Procedure: Max and Nina decide to
question the three benched players to see
who didn’t have an alibi between 9-10.
This is the design of your experiment, or
how you will test your hypothesis.
– Experimentation: Max and Nina
interviewed the players by asking them
questions about what they did between 910.
This is carrying out your experiment and
gathering data.
Collect and Analyze
• Gather materials, data, and research: Max and Nina
talked to the coach.
This is background research to further determine the
nature of the problem, what’s already known about it,
and the steps others might have already taken in order
to solve it.
• Collect results (data interpretation): Max noted all three
players’ alibis in his notebook.
The process of recording your data.
• Analyze results to hypothesis: Nina and Max
discussed the case by going over the notes.
Examining the data to see if it supports your
hypothesis.
Conclusion
• Conclusion: Solution.
What are your results? Was your hypothesis
correct or not?
How did Nina figure it out?
Sam taped the program on UFO's and had
almost finished watching it when Max and Nina
showed up. He was accurate in discussing it
with Nina except for the last part, which he
hadn't seen yet. He admitted being so angry
with Coach Thornton that he pulled up his
roses. He apologized to the coach and
promised to do extra yard work for him.