Mr. Altorfer Life Science

Mr. AltorferLife Science

The Scientific MethodPages 10-17

VOCABULARY

• Scientific Method-• Hypothesis-• Controlled Experiment-• Variable-• Control-

Scientific Methods

• What is the Scientific Method?– The steps that scientists use to solve scientific problems.

The Steps to the Scientific Method

• STEP 1: Ask a question.– Ask a question about the natural world– Why do leaves turn different colors in the fall?– Does fertilizer help plants to grow?


• STEP 2: Form a hypothesis.– Hypothesis: A possible explanation or answer to a

question. – Make a prediction: If/Then statement– Example: If flowers are given fertilizer, then they

will grow faster


• STEP 3:Test the hypothesis with an experiment.– Design an experiment that tests your

hypothesis/prediction.


• STEP 4: Analyze the results– Collect your data and study what can be learned

from your data.


• STEP 5: Form a conclusion– What was learned by completing the experiment?


• STEP 6: Communicate/Share your results– Share your results and conclusions with others.


• 1) Ask a Question• 2) Form a Hypothesis• 3) Test the Hypothesis with an experiment• 4) Analyze the Results• 5) Form Conclusions• 6) Communicate the Results

CONTROLLED EXPERIMENTS

• Experiment- Something that is done to test a hypothesis or a prediction.

• Controlled Experiment- Two experiments exactly alike except for one change.

• Control- Part of an experiment in which no change is made.

• Variable- Anything that can be changed in an experiment.

Scientific Law vs. Scientific Theory

• 1) Scientific Theory- An idea that is believed to be true and has been supported by experiments, but has not been proven. • Example: The Big Bang Theory (Not the TV

show!) • 2) Scientific Law- A rule that describes a pattern

in nature. A scientific explanation that always appears true. • Example: The Law of Gravity

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Mr. Altorfer Life Science