GED SCIENCE
LESSON-1
Conducted By: Aman Rasool
Dated: 4 June 2025
What's in Today’s lesson?
Title: Scientific Method & Reasoning
Subtitle: Understanding How Science Works
Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
● List the steps of the scientific method
● Identify independent, dependent, and controlled variables
● Write a testable hypothesis
● Recognize the difference between claims and evidence
● Use scientific reasoning to evaluate a conclusion
What Is the Scientific Method?
Definition:
A systematic approach to research that involves observation, questioning, conducting background research, formulating a
hypothesis, testing the hypothesis through experiments, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions
A systematic way scientists investigate questions and find answers using observation, experimentation, and evidence.
Purpose:
● Solve problems
● Test ideas
● Discover how things work
The 6 Steps of the Scientific Method
● Observation: Recognizing a phenomenon or problem that sparks curiosity and prompts further investigation.
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● Question: Formulating a specific question about the observed phenomenon or problem.
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● Background Research: Investigating existing knowledge and literature related to the question.
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● Hypothesis: Proposing a testable explanation or prediction based on the research and observations.
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● Experiment: Designing and conducting an experiment to test the hypothesis, involving manipulating variables and collecting data.
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● Data Analysis: Analyzing the collected data to determine if it supports or contradicts the hypothesis.
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● Conclusion: Drawing conclusions based on the data analysis, and potentially refining the hypothesis or posing new questions.
Example:
Question: Does sunlight affect plant growth?
Hypothesis: If a plant gets more sunlight, then it will grow taller.
Hypothesis & Predictions
Hypothesis:
An educated guess or prediction about a phenomenon that is testable and potentially falsifiable
A possible answer to the question, based on observation.
Must be: Testable and clear.
Format:
“If [independent variable], then [dependent variable].”
Example:
“If students sleep 8 hours, then they will score higher on tests.”
Variables in an Experiment
In a scientific experiment, variables are factors that can be manipulated, controlled, or measured.
Independent Variable (IV):
This is the factor that the experimenter manipulates or changes. It is the factor that is hypothesized to cause an effect on the dependent variable.
Dependent Variable (DV):
This is the factor that is measured or observed. Its value is expected to change in response to changes in the independent variable.
Controlled Variable (CV):
These are factors that are kept constant to ensure that the changes in the dependent variable are due to the independent variable and not other factors.
Example:
Question: Does fertilizer help plants grow taller?
● Independent: Amount of fertilizer
● Dependent: Plant height
● Controlled: Type of plant, sunlight, water
Claims vs. Evidence
● Claim: A statement that something is true
● Evidence: Data or facts that support the claim
Example:
Claim: “Recycling reduces pollution.”
Evidence: “In cities with recycling programs, air pollution
dropped 30%.”
Scientific Reasoning
Definition: Scientific
reasoning is a problem-solving process that uses evidence and objectivity to make
decisions and form beliefs
Types of Scientific Reasoning:
Inductive reasoning
Deductive reasoning
Abductive reasoning
Includes:
● Looking for patterns
● Checking reliability of sources
● Asking: Does the evidence really support the claim?
GED Practice Questions
1. Which of the following is a testable hypothesis?
A. Love is important.
B. If plants get more sunlight, they grow faster.
C. Pizza is better than pasta.
D. Dogs are friendly.
2. In an experiment, what is the dependent variable?
A. What you change
B. What you measure
C. What you keep the same
D. What you predict
3. Which statement is a claim supported by evidence?
A. Exercise is fun.
B. People should exercise more.
C. Studies show regular exercise reduces heart disease.
D. I like to exercise.
Summary
Today you learned:
● The steps of the scientific method
● How to form a hypothesis
● How to identify variables
● The difference between claims and evidence
● How to use reasoning in science
Key Points to Remember
Scientific Method: A step-by-step process to investigate and answer questions.
Hypothesis: A testable prediction; “If ___, then ___.”
Independent Variable: What you change in the experiment.
Dependent Variable: What you measure.
Controlled Variables: The things you keep the same.
Claim: A statement that something is true.
Evidence: Facts, data, or observations that support a claim.
Exit Ticket
1. Write your own hypothesis using this format:
"If __________, then __________."
2. In the experiment below, identify the variables:
"A student wants to test if drinking energy drinks improves test performance."
● Independent Variable: _________________________
● Dependent Variable: _________________________
● One Controlled Variable: _________________________
3. What is the difference between a claim and evidence?
Give an example of each.
4. Which step of the scientific method do you think is the most important, and why?