The Scientific The Scientific MethodMethod

Purpose:Purpose: Learn how Learn how scientists search for scientists search for answers to difficult answers to difficult

questions.questions.

DefinitionDefinition

The principles and empirical processes of The principles and empirical processes of discovery and demonstration considered discovery and demonstration considered characteristic of or necessary for scientific characteristic of or necessary for scientific investigation, generally involving the investigation, generally involving the observation of phenomena, the observation of phenomena, the formulation of a hypothesis concerning the formulation of a hypothesis concerning the phenomena, experimentation to phenomena, experimentation to demonstrate the truth or falseness of the demonstrate the truth or falseness of the hypothesis, and a conclusion that validates hypothesis, and a conclusion that validates or modifies the hypothesis.or modifies the hypothesis.

Or…Or…

A thoughtful series of A thoughtful series of steps scientists use to steps scientists use to find evidence that find evidence that either either supports or proves supports or proves falsefalse an educated guess an educated guess to a question.to a question.

Let’s Prepare a List to Let’s Prepare a List to Fill In.Fill In.

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method

1.1.

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Step 1Step 1

When we are confronted with When we are confronted with the unknown, what is the first the unknown, what is the first thing we do?thing we do?

When we are unsure what to When we are unsure what to do, what do we do?do, what do we do?

When we don’t know When we don’t know something, what do we do?something, what do we do?

Step 1 Step 1

Ask Ask

a a

Question.Question.

Where do our Where do our questions come from?questions come from?

On the previous slide I gave On the previous slide I gave you three reasons to ask a you three reasons to ask a question.question.

You now have You now have three minutesthree minutes to create your own list of:to create your own list of:

10 Reasons to Ask a 10 Reasons to Ask a QuestionQuestion..

Types of Questions.Types of Questions.

Type 1: Those with simple Type 1: Those with simple answers.answers.Ex.- What is your name?Ex.- What is your name?

Type 2: Those with complex Type 2: Those with complex answers.answers.Ex.- How does an IPod store and Ex.- How does an IPod store and play music?play music?

A Fun Question !? :o)A Fun Question !? :o)

One skill every child should learn is One skill every child should learn is how to make a paper airplane.how to make a paper airplane.

For some it is a great way to have For some it is a great way to have fun; for others it is the start to a fun; for others it is the start to a lifelong passion and career.lifelong passion and career.

It is actually quite easy to make a a It is actually quite easy to make a a paper airplane. Today I will teach paper airplane. Today I will teach you how.you how.

How Do You Build a Paper How Do You Build a Paper Airplane?Airplane?

I need to split you into two groups:I need to split you into two groups: Group A: Those who know how to build a Group A: Those who know how to build a

paper paper airplane. airplane. Group B: Those who Group B: Those who do notdo not know how to know how to

build a build a paper airplane. paper airplane. Please pack up all of your stuff, then:Please pack up all of your stuff, then: Group A: Move to the back of the room.Group A: Move to the back of the room. Group B: Move to the front of the room.Group B: Move to the front of the room.

ActivityActivity For the rest of the period I ask For the rest of the period I ask

that the students with experience that the students with experience teach the students who need teach the students who need helphelp

How to Build a Paper How to Build a Paper Airplane by having them, step Airplane by having them, step by step, copy a plane you by step, copy a plane you build.build.

HomeworkHomework Create a plan that describes:Create a plan that describes:

“ “A plan to build a better paper A plan to build a better paper airplane.”airplane.”

The plan must be at least five steps long, but no longer than ten.

It should begin with a Question.It will be done in your

Notebook (NB).