Author: Biology Junction Team

Scientific Method Notes

 

Scientific Method
All Materials © CmassengaleHow can we determine if something is a fact or an opinion? How can we determine an answer to a problem? The answer is use the scientific method.What is the Scientific Method? It is a series of steps used to help solve a problem.

  • Step 1. Make an Observation. After making an observation of the natural world, define the problem and make sure only one problem is being studied. ALL scientific experimentation starts with observation.
  • Step 2. Research the problem (question). Use all available resources to collect data on the subject being covered. Libraries, Internet, books, magazines, personal interviews, etc.
  • Step 3. Develop a hypothesis (educated guess). Make it a short definitive statement. It may be an “if” then” statement. The “if” part will become the hypothesis and the then part should be the results received at the end of the controlled experiment. Remember your hypothesis can be changed if the results do not support it.
  • Step 4. Develop a controlled experiment. A controlled experiment is an experiment that contains only one experimental variable. An experimental or independent variable is the thing being tested (what the scientist changes). Everything else in the experiment or all other variables must be the same. These variables are also called the controlled variables. Keeping these variables the same allows the experimenter to show that it was the experimental variable that caused the results. The dependent variable is what changes when the independent variable changes – the dependent variable depends on the outcome of the independent variable.  Data should be organized into charts, tables, or graphs.
  • Step 5. Analyze the data and come up with a conclusion. Data may be quantitative (numbers) or qualitative (appearance, properties, etc.).  The conclusion may or may not support the hypothesis. Additional experimentation must then take place to build documentation concerning the problem. If the hypothesis is proven wrong, change the hypothesis, not the data. Scientists must be unbiased.
  • WHAT FOLLOWS: Scientific research must be published, but first it must be reviewed by peers (other scientists) and verified for accuracy.  Research may result in a scientific theory or law.

Example:

Observation: Toaster stops working.
Question/Research: What is wrong with the toaster? (Read toaster Manual.)
Hypotheses: (1) It is unplugged. (2) The unit is burned out.
Experiments:  (1) Check the plug. (2) Take the toaster apart and look at the heating wires.
Results & Conclusion: If it was unplugged the first hypothesis is supported, if the wires inside are broken, then the second hypothesis is supported.

 

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Scientific Method PPT Questions

 

Scientific Method
ppt Questions

Steps in the Scientific Method

1. Name the steps in the scientific method.

 

2. Explain a scientist’s first step in the scientific method.

 

3. Give an example of an observation that a scientist might make.

 

4.Scientists use their __________ to make observations.

5. What is a hypothesis?

 

6. A hypothesis must be _____________ and it __________ an outcome.

7. Some hypotheses are written as __________ statements. 

8. Write a hypothesis for the observation you wrote in question 3.

 

9. What is an experiment?

 

10. What part of an experiment is the variable?

 

11. How many variables should there be in a good experiment?

Controls and Variables

12.An experimenter changes ______ factor and then observes and _______ what happens.

13. Other factors in an experiment must be kept __________ so they won’t effect the ___________.

14. What are these constant factors called?

15. What is the purpose of having a control in an experiment?

16. Name the two types of variables in an experiment.

17. What is the independent variable?

 

18. What is the independent variable?

 

19. In the experiment to find the fastest route to school, what serves as:

     a. the independent variable?

     b. the dependent variable?

     c. the control variable?

20. The best experiments make __________ trials with the independent variable.

Valid Experiments

21. Name the two group needed to have a valid experiment.

22. What is data?

23. What are the two types of data?

24. If the data is numbers, this is called ____________ data.

25. To be useful, collected data must be _____________.

26. Name 3 ways of organizing data.

27. What is the conclusion of an experiment?

 

28. What must be done to verify the results of an experiment?

Review

29.To solve a problem, you should _________ the problem and state _____________ you have made about it.

30. Next, you form a __________ or prediction and conduct an ____________ to test the prediction.

31. During an experiment, _________ must be collected and later ____________..

32. Finally, a scientist forms a ____________ based on your data.

33. To prove the experiment is correct, scientists ___________ their results.

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Scientist Brochure Webquest

 

Famous Scientists Webquest

Introduction

     The government needs a brilliant scientist to head its new department: The Scientific Masters of Applied Research and Technology (SMART). Using an amazing new technology, you can actually become another person with injections of their DNA! (This is “science fiction”!) You will be going on a job interview for this most prestigious job! You need to prepare for the interview by compiling an awesome brochure for your resume. After all interviews have been completed, the class will display the scientists who will potentially become the new National Director of SMART!

The Task

You are to create a brochure with information about your scientist. Below is a list of information you should include in the brochure:

  • educational background
  • previous job experience
  • special interests, hobbies
  • contributions to the scientific world
  • organization memberships
  • special honors awarded

Resources

     You may use internet resources as well as library resources to gather information about your men and women scientists.  Below is a list of helpful websites to use for your research:

The Process

     FIRST, you will choose one of the following scientific fields to research:

  • Biology

  • Environmental science

  • Zoology

NEXT, choose one scientist to research.  Print or write out the resume and complete the       information about your scientist.

BIOLOGISTS
Alice Catherine Evans
Stephen Jay Gould
Rosalind Franklin
Barbara McClintock
Lynn Harper
Myra Adele Logan
Angella Ferguson
Gertrude B. Elion

ZOOLOGISTS/ ENVIRONMENTALISTS
Rachel Carson
Aldo Leopold
Margaret Morse Nice
Dian Fossey
Jane Goodall
Eugenie Clark

    THEN, using the resume worksheet, complete the information as described below to assist you in completing your bibliography.

  • Name: (The name of the scientist you researched)

  • Country of Birth: (Where the scientist was born)

  • Date of Birth/Date of Death: (birthday and date deceased if applicable)

  • Education: (List the names of colleges attended and majors studied during college)

  • Job Experience: (List relevant job experience)

  • Awards Received: (What awards has your scientist received?)

  • Contributions to the Scientific World: (What has your scientist done help the world be a better place?)

  • Interests/Hobbies: (Scientists have other interests; list them if you can find what else they may be interested in)

  • Miscellaneous: (You may add any other interesting information to your biography such as books your scientist has written, memberships to scientific societies, etc.

    Finally, create a brochure (flyer) using the information from your scientist’s resume.  Be creative with the brochure and include pictures.

     How to make a brochure in Publisher

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Second Semester Study Guide Bl

 

Second Semester Review 

 

Are animals autotrophs or heterotrophs? Explain.
What type of symmetry does a sea anemone have?
At which end of an animal is the tail located?
What supportive rod along the back do all chordates have at some time during their life?
How do sponges differ from all other animals?
How does a sponge obtain its food?
What hard, needle like structures are found in the walls of sponges?
Do all animal cells have cell walls? Explain.
In what phylum are squid & octopus found?
Name 4 animals that are classified as cnidarians.
What is the function of collar cells in sponges?
Are animals unicellular or multicellular organisms?
At which end of an animal is the head located?
What kind of symmetry do insects have?
Flatworms use what method to asexually reproduce?
Why do flatworms NOT need circulatory & respiratory systems?
What group of worms has a pseudocoelom?
What is the function of the radula in mollusks?
Which class of mollusks uses “jet propulsion” to move?
Describe torsion in gastropod mollusks.
Give several examples of appendages in arthropods.
Describe the body of all arthropods.
Describe the appendages of all arthropods.
In what group are clamworms found?
Name 3 main classes of mollusks.
What muscles open & close bivalve mollusks?
What makes up the exoskeleton of arthropods?
Name 4 members of the class Crustacea.
What group of animals has 3 body regions & 6 legs?
How do insects benefit agricultural crops?
Name 4 characteristics of all chordates.
In what order are amphibians without tails found?
From what structure in fish did jaws probably arise?
List 4 examples of echinoderms.
What structure in fish filters wastes from blood?
The urinary bladder & kidneys in fish make up what system?
Where are shark eggs fertilized?
What does “Agnatha” mean?
What does “Chondrichthyes” mean?
Describe caecilians.
Name 4 things used by sharks to detect their prey.
What type of symmetry do echinoderms have?
Why do most amphibians have thin, moist skin?
What does “amphibian” mean?
Describe development in placental mammals.
Where is the diaphragm found in mammals?
Name a reptilian characteristic found in birds.
What covers the body of birds?
What covers the body of reptiles?
Describe a reptile’s skin.
Are reptiles ectotherms or endotherms? Explain.
Where are the chorion & amnion found?
How many chambers does a bird’s heart have?
What adaptation of reptiles allowed them to live & reproduce on land?
How many chambers does the heart of most reptiles have?
How many chambers does the heart of mammals have?
Which group of vertebrates has a diaphragm & what is its function?
Are mammals endotherms or ectotherms?
Name 3 groups of ectothermic vertebrates.
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secrets of straight-a students

  1. Set priorities. There is no interruption of study time with TV, phone calls, snacks, etc.
  2. Study anywhere or everywhere. Keep a regular time everyday for studying and utilize extra time at work or play to study.
  3. Get organized. Keep an organized planner and notebook with all assignments and an organized study area with all supplies. Make sure to have all assignments and needed materials with you each time you go to class.
  4. Learn how to read. The secret of good reading is to be an “active reader.”
  5. Schedule your time. Procrastination is a student’s best enemy.  Don’t wait to the last minute to complete assignments or to study.
  6.   Take good notes – And use them! Always read the chapter, but listen and copy notes in class and then reread and recopy your notes each day.
  7.  Clean up your act. Neat assignments are more likely to get higher grades than sloppy ones.
  8. Speak up. Participate in class by asking questions and showing intellectual curiosity.
  9.  Study together.
  10. Test yourself. Make up and answer possible test questions or write out answers to chapter objectives.
  11. Do more than you are asked. Part of learning is practicing and the more you practice, the more you learn.

The most important ‘secret’ of the super-achievers is not so secret.  For almost all straight-A students, the contribution of their parents is crucial …Parents impress the lesson of responsibility on their kids.