The
Scientific
Method
OBJECTIVES:
1. Describe the components of scientific
investigation;
a. Identifying problem
b. Formulating hypothesis
c. Testing hypothesis/experimentation
d. Collecting, analyzing and interpreting
data
e. Drawing conclusion
Activity 1: Build Me
Up
For 5 minutes, construct a tower with a
spherical clay on top. The tower should
stand until the end of the discussion.
Judging will focus on the height and
stability.
What is the problem in
the activity?
What is the design of
your tower? Why?
Do you think it will
stand until the end of
the discussion?
How will you prove
that?
Is it related to
science?
How come?
The Scientific
Method
What is science?
What is the method
scientists use to answer
scientific questions?
The Scientific
Method
What is science?
Way of learning about the natural world
A way to answer questions & solve
problems
A process used to investigate what is
happening around you; provides
possible answers
Activity 1
On a sheet of paper, list at least 3
questions about the world that do
not have an answer yet.
Exchange questionnaires with a
classmate. Try to answer correctly
the questions that he or she listed.
Life on Mars
If life existed on Mars, what do you think it
Trying to find out whether life ever existed on
Mars is just one example of performing science
Science is the process of:
Observing
Experimenting
Thinking about the universe to
create knowledge
Every time you answer a
question by observing the world
or testing an idea you’re
What is the Method that
Scientists follow to
answer questions?
Scientific
Method
What is the
Scientific Method?
• Who uses it?
•Everyone uses it
everyday.
•Even YOU!!!
• What is it?
It is a way to solve problems.
Do you have any problems to
solve?
problem ??? pen torch
doesn't work
You think back to the last
time your pen torch didn't
work, and you remember that
it was because of worn-out
batteries.
You guess that worn-out
batteries is the reason this
time as well
So you get some new batteries
from the drawer next to your
bed and replace the ones in
your pen torch.
Oh! pen torch works.
finished the great book !
you're faced with the problem Identify a problem.
of not being able to read
because your pen torch
doesn't work, and you're not
happy about it.
You think back to the last
time your pen torch didn't Research the problem.
work, and you remember
that it was because of worn-
out batteries.
You guess that worn-out Formulate a hypothesis.
batteries is the reason your
pen torch isn't working
now, so you get some new
batteries from the drawer Conduct an experiment.
next to your bed and replace
the ones in your pen torch.
Oh! Your pen torch works. Reach a conclusion.
Differentiated
Activity
Group 1 Compose a song on scientific method
Group 2 Perform a dance presentation
showing the steps of scientific method.
Group 3 Present a short roleplay on the
examples of scientific method in
our life.
Group 4 Make a poster on the importance of
scientific method
Scientific
1. Method
Identify a Question
2. Gather Information
3. Form a Hypothesis
4. Test the Hypothesis
5. Analyze the Results
6. Draw a Conclusion
7. If Hypothesis is proven it becomes
Scientists Ask a
Question
Does life or did life ever exist on mars?
For example:
• You might ask which gasoline is the
most efficient
• Is or was there ever life on Mars?
• Why doesn’t the light work?
• Why are all the fish dead?
Gather
Information
You can find information by going to the
library and reading books or magazines,
by using the internet, or talking to other
educated people about the question
Evaluate your sources of information!!!!
Goal is to get background information on
what you are researching and use it to
help you form your hypothesis
Observations
Gathered
through your
senses
A scientist
notices
something in
Observations
An example of an
observation
might be
noticing that
many
salamanders
near a pond have
Form your
Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a possible answer
to a question
Must be testable
If… then… statement.
An educated guess
Example Hypothesis
If sunlight effects the rate of plant growth, then
the more exposure to the sun the higher the
plants will grow.
If bacteria grow in higher temperatures, then an
increase in temperature will lead to an increase in
bacterial growth.
*** manipulated variable is the IF, responding
variable is the THEN***
Write a proper hypothesis in
the if-then format for each
question
1. What happens orof statement.
to the growth mongo seeds if table salt was
added to the soil? If the amount of salt added to the soil
increases, then the growth of the mongo seeds decreases.
2. Tomato seeds may grow faster in colder temperature. If
tomato seeds were planted in a colder temperature, then the
seeds will grow at a faster rate.
3. What effect does temperature have on the dissolution rate of
sugar in water?
________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
4. Eating chocolates may cause pimples.
Test the
Hypothesis
Run an experiment
You need to decide what
your VARIABLES are!
What are
Variables?
Factors that can change in an
experiment
3 Types of Variables
Independent (Manipulated)
Variable
Dependent (Responding) Variable
Independent
Variable
The variable that can be
changed during an
experiment
The variable that the
scientists chooses to change
The variable that may cause
Dependent
Variable
The factor that is being
measured in an
experiment
The variable that may
change because of the
independent
Controlled
Variable
Variable that stays the
same during an
experiment
Variable that is
“controlled” by the
scientist
Identify the different variables in
each situation.
1. In a previous study, grade 7 students were given a reading
comprehension test after listening to two different types of
music. One group listened to classical music, while the other
group listened to rock music. The two groups took the same
reading comprehension test and were given the same food for
the past few days. The results showed that students who
listened to classical music have better scores than those who
listened to hard rock music.
Independent variable: types of music the students listened
to
Dependent variable: scores of the students from the
reading comprehension test
Identify the different variables in
2.
each situation.
Some grade 10 students tested the relationship between the
brightness of a group of lightbulbs to the number of batteries
connected to it. In their first setup, they connected two identical
lightbulbs to two batteries. In the second setup, they connected
two identical lightbulbs to four batteries. In the last setup, they
connected two identical lightbulbs to six batteries. The brand of
batteries used and the specifications of the lightbulbs used in all
setups were kept constant. Their experiments showed that the
brightness of the two bulbs increases as the number of batteries
used as power source also increases.
Independent variable: _____________________________________
Dependent variable: _____________________________________
Analyzing
Results
As experiments and tests are preformed
scientists collect information, or data, that
must be analyzed
How can some data be organized?
Include:
Measurements
Look for patterns and relations found in data and
on graphs
Microscope photographs
Chemical studies
Data
Results of
the
experiment
May be
quantitative
(numbers) or
Data
Must be
organized
Can be
organized
into charts,
tables, or
Activity: Flower Pot
Find a partner. Both of you will look for
a flower or a plant in your school.
One of you will list the physical
characteristics of the chosen flower or
plant. List as many physical
characteristics as you can. The other
will tell how many of this kind of flower
or plant is present in the school.
Qualitative or
Quantitative
Vinegar tastes sour
The metal is rough and shiny
The male population and the
female population in the class are
not equal.
The flower is filled with red and
yellow petals.
Draw a
Conclusion
Scientists attempt to answer the
original question
State whether or not the hypothesis
was supported (it is never “right” or
“wrong”)
Scientists decide what the results of
their tests and observations mean &
pose further research questions
Sometimes the original hypothesis is not
supported by the data, other times it is.
If it is not: scientists have to form a new
hypothesis and restart the process
Theory
If the hypothesis is proven it
becomes a theory.
In science a theory is an idea that
has been tested and retested and
can explain a large set of
observations.
Repeated
Trials
To make sure results are
valid
The more trials conducted,
the more likely the results
are reliable
Scientific
method
So do you think you know the
scientific method?
Let’s find out…
Scenario #1
Jackhyla and Shantell wanted to do an experiment with
magnets. They listed the things they needed to do the
experiment: magnets, toy cars, and rubber bands. What part
of the scientific method is this called?
a) hypothesis
b) materials
c) procedure
d) data
b) materials
Scenario #2
Jaden, Sincere, and Ashante were testing to see which ball, a
basketball or volleyball, would bounce higher. Before they did
the experiment, each of them guessed what they thought
would happen before the experiment.
What part of the scientific method is this called?
a) purpose
b) materials
c) hypothesis
d) data
c) hypothesis
Scenario #3
Degas, Nyasia, and Abriana decided to test which objects in
their classroom were attracted to magnets. When their
teacher asked why they were doing their experiment, they
told their teacher the reason.
What part of the scientific method is this called?
a) purpose
b) materials
c) data
d) hypothesis
a) purpose
Scenario #4
Makayla and Trayshawn wanted to test if sugar or salt
dissolved faster in hot water. In order to do this, they
followed certain steps to complete the experiment.
What part of the scientific method is this called?
a) data
b) procedure
c) purpose
d) results
c) procedure
Scenario #5
Kamiyah and Treyvaughn were testing which balloon rocket
would go the fastest. After they did each test, they recorded
their findings on a chart.
These findings are what part of the scientific method?
a) hypothesis
b) materials
c) procedure
d) data
d) data
Scenario #6
Tayshawn and Jacoby were looking at the results of their
experiment with glue. They noticed that wood holds tighter
together with wood glue than with school glue. They learned
that wood glue is best when working with wood.
What part of the scientific method is this called?
a) hypothesis
b) materials
c) procedure
d) conclusion
d) Conclusion
Scenario #7
Tyyhon and Sharnyce looked at the results of their experiment
and made a bar graph to show what happened after their
experiment.
What are the results of the scientific method called?
a) data
b) purpose
c) procedure
d) hypothesis
d) data
Scenario #8
Abigail and Laddaris were testing which color candle would
burn the fastest with their teacher. They thought the red one
would burn the fastest and made their prediction before
doing the experiment.
What part of the scientific method is this called?
a) hypothesis
b) materials
c) procedure
d) data
a) hypothesis
Scenario #9
Demetria and Desiree were recreating the water cycle in their
classroom using a heat lamp, water, plastic cup, and plastic
wrap.
What part of the scientific method are these items called?
a) hypothesis
b) materials
c) procedure
d) data
b) materials
Scenario #10
Demontae and Ariana measured how high they could jump by
wearing different types of shoes. From their results, they
learned that shoes with rubber soles are more suitable for
jumping rather than shoes with plastic soles.
What part of the scientific method is this called?
a) conclusion
b) materials
c) procedure
d) data
a) conclusion
Now you are experts in the scientific
method!
My hypothesis is that you will pass the test. Are you
ready to prove that guess right?