The scientific method academy
- 2. 1. Steps of the Scientific Method 1. Ask A Question– Determine the question or problem that is trying to be answered 2. Gather Information - Gather as much information about the topic as possible 3. Form a Hypothesis – A proposed answer to the question, written in an if/then format
- 3. Scientific Method (con’t) 4. Test the Hypothesis – design and carry out an experiment A. Independent (manipulated) Variable B. Dependent (responding) Variable C. Controlled Variables 5. Record and Analyze Results – Summarize what the data means 6. Draw a Conclusion – Restate the question and how you came to the result that you did
- 4. 2. Scientific Method Example a. Ask a Question: “What light color will produce the tallest tomato plant?” b. Gather Information: Research the purpose of light in helping a plant grow, how long it takes for a tomato plant to reach maturity, amount of water, fertilizers needed, etc.
- 5. Scientific Method Example (con’t) c. Form a Hypothesis - IF tomato plants are grown under a _____ light, THEN they will grow faster than plants grown under ____, _____,or _____lights d. Test the Hypothesis – Design and carry out an experiment – list the materials and procedure Materials: Four 5cm tall tomato plants, soil, water, metric ruler, plant pots, red/green/blue/white lights
- 6. Scientific Method Example (con’t) d. Test the hypothesis (con’t) 1. Gather materials 2. Plant each tomato plant in a pot containing the same amount of soil 3. Measure plants on day 1 as the initial height and record. 4. Place one plant under red light, one under blue light , one under green light, and one under white light. 5. Water plants daily with 50 mL of water 6. Measure plants every third day and record. 7. Compare growth.
- 7. Identify the following variables in the tomato experiment Independent Variable Dependent Variable Controlled Variables (3)
- 8. Scientific Method Example (con’t) e. Record and Analyze Results Light Day 1 Day 4 Day 7 Day 10 Color Red 5.0cm 7.3cm 9.9cm 11.7cm Blue 5.0cm 7.5cm 10.2cm 12.3cm White 5.0cm 8.1cm 10.9cm 14.5cm Green 5.0cm 6cm 6.7cm 7.2cm In addition to creating a graph, this is also when you would talk about possible errors in the experiment. List some errors that you see with this procedure.
- 9. Scientific Method Example (con’t) F. Draw a Conclusion – What conclusions can be drawn from analyzing the data? In other words, under which light did the tomato plant grow best? Worst?