Catalyst 9/12/13
Reflect on the “build an 18-inch tower” activity yesterday. Knowing what you know now, write a procedure (list of steps) so that another ‘scientist’ can easily follow it and obtain the same exact result.
Agenda 9/12/13CatalystAnnouncements
Classroom Procedures Quiz – Tomorrow, Friday 9/13/13Submit signed syllabiPurchase lab notebook ASAP! (at least 150-page spiral
or graphing notebook)Student Job Assignments Introduction to the Scientific Method – Tootsie Roll PopDiscussion
Student Jobs!
Earn 20% additional points in your scientific discussion grade.* (If you were supposed to receive 100 points, you’ll receive 120 points instead!)
**If you violate a classroom policy, you will NOT receive your extra credit!You will keep this job for at least one month (or less if
you get fired).*Class maintainers will receive 25% more points.
Student Jobs!
(3) Class Maintainer: Makes sure that classmates pick up their trash and push their chairs in. (Room 22: All cubby holes and SINKS are empty.)
(2) Equipment Manager: Collects all calculators, goggles, and other equipment an.
(1) Catalyst Collector: Collects Catalyst or other papers.
(2) Paper Passer: Quickly returns graded work to students.
Objective 9/12/13
We will be able to identify the parts of the scientific method.
Class Discussion Expectations
No disrespectful language (teasing, name-calling, cursing, etc.)
Speak one at a time. Address the IDEA NOT the person. Clarify another student’s response by rephrasing or
asking a clarifying question. Avoid general statements like “all _____ people
do______” Use “I” statements Take notes to keep track of good ideas that may
come up Be mindful of “air time.”
REAL WORLDCrime scene investigations
Real-life mysteriesScientific research
TODAY’S MYSTERY
How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll pop?
Let’s find out using the scientific method…
QuickResearch EC Opportunity – How is food digested?
Scientific method What is the scientific method? The scientific method is a method that is
used to find answers to questions about the world around us.
Scientific method Is there only one scientific method?Some versions have more steps, while others may have only a few. However, they all begin with the identification of a question or problem to be answered based on observation of the world around us. The scientific method provides an organized method for conduction and analyzing an experiment.
Parts of sci. method Part #1: Ask the Question (Problem)
Scientific questions are testable, which means:They cannot be a yes or no question.You must be able to run an experiment to test the question.
Parts of sci. method Part #2: Gather Information
(Research)
. You should ask yourself: What do I know already? What do I not know?
Gather information about the problem before you experiment.
Parts of sci. method Part #3: Form a Hypothesis
(Prediction) A hypothesis is a prediction about the
outcome of an experiment. A hypothesis is an “if-then” statement.
A hypothesis has 3 parts: Situation Measurable quantities Prediction
A hypothesis must be testable (you can set up an experiment) and falsifiable (it can possibly be proven false)
If I do this, then this will happen Example: If I chew 1 piece of big red and 1 piece of 5 gum
and record the average size of bubble each produces after 3 trials, then 5 gum will produce the biggest bubble.
Parts of sci. methodPart #3 continued: Form a Hypothesis Dependent vs. independent variable1. Dependent variable: (“the effect variable”) It is what is being studied it is what you measure and what is being
affected (the effect).
2. Independent variable: (“the cause variable”) It is what you are changing in the
experiment It is what is affecting the dependent
variable
Parts of sci. method Part #4: Test the Hypothesis
(Experiment) An experiment is a clear step-by-step
procedure used to test a hypothesis. There are 3 parts to testing the hypothesis:
Materials = List the quantity and names of supplies and equipment used for the experiment
Procedure = step-by-step process on how experiment was performed
Only one action per step. Results = You must clearly and accurately record the data you
collect. Data is gathered through observations or experimentation.
Remember, more data you collect, the more reliable your results. REPETITION is key!!!!
Parts of sci. method Part #5: Make Observations (Record
Data) Observations are things that you can see, hear,
taste, smell and touch (the 5 senses).
Qualitative Observation (QL)= descriptions Quantitative Observations (QN) = measurable things
An inference is when you come to a conclusion based on facts or observations.
Parts of sci. method Part #6: Analyze the Results (Analysis)
You can analyze your results by doing: Calculations
Percentages Averages
Tables Graphs - bar, line, piece
Must have 4 parts: Title Equal intervals (0, 10, 20, 30, etc) Labels Units
Parts of sci. method Part #7: Draw Conclusions (Discussion)
It is a statement that sums up what you have learned from an experiment.
In this section include these 5 things: Restate the lab’s problem Summarize your results State if your hypothesis was correct, incorrect, or inconclusive. Suggestions to improve experiment Explain how information gained in lab can be applied to real-life
situations and how does it relate to major scientific principles, classnotes, or text
Parts of sci. method Part #8: Communicate Results (Publication)
Summarize all the parts of your experiment You can create different types of write-ups:
Lab worksheet Lab report Science journal Science Poster
Parts of sci. method Part #8: Communicate Results (Publication)
This summary should include the following things: Introduction/Background Research Problem Hypothesis Materials Procedure Observations Discussion (Analysis of results) Conclusion References
Exit SlipOn a half a slip of
paper:Summarize today’s
lesson in 3 bullet points
Applying sci. methodStep 1: Problem: Which battery
lasts longer, Energizer or Duracell?Step 2:Step 3:Step 4:Step 5:Step 6:Step 7:
FOCUS leads to MASTERY
MASTERY leads to SUCCESS
Success in CLASSROOM leads to success in LIFE.
mysteryMr. Brown, who lived with his wife,
kept their apartment very clean. He waxed the floors every day and vacuumed all carpet. He also dusted all furniture. One day, he discovered bites on his arm. He does not understand where they came from since he does not have bugs in his house. Where did the bites come from?
