Sixth Grade SOL 6.1Sixth Grade SOL 6.1

Scientific ProcessScientific Process• 1. The scientific method is a series of 1. The scientific method is a series of

steps that scientists use to answer steps that scientists use to answer questions and solve problems.questions and solve problems.

• 2. Stating the problem is the first step in 2. Stating the problem is the first step in the scientific method. One asks a the scientific method. One asks a question that can be answered through question that can be answered through scientific investigation.scientific investigation.

• 3. An inference is a proposed 3. An inference is a proposed explanation for an observationexplanation for an observation

• 4. A hypothesis is 4. A hypothesis is an educated guess, an educated guess, a proposed answer a proposed answer to your problem. to your problem. The manipulated The manipulated (independent) (independent) variable, and the variable, and the responding responding (dependent) (dependent) variable.variable.

VariablesVariables

• 5. Manipulated (independent) variable 5. Manipulated (independent) variable is a factor that is intentionally changed is a factor that is intentionally changed in an experiment by the investigatorin an experiment by the investigator

• 6. A responding (dependent) variable is 6. A responding (dependent) variable is a factor that is affected as a result of a factor that is affected as a result of changing the manipulated changing the manipulated (independent) variable (independent) variable

Research and TestingResearch and Testing

• 7. Conduct research 7. Conduct research • 8. Plan and perform experiment8. Plan and perform experiment• 9. There are two types of 9. There are two types of

observations, qualitative (using observations, qualitative (using your senses) and quantitative your senses) and quantitative (involves measurements and (involves measurements and numbers).numbers).

DataData• 10. Organize your 10. Organize your

data so that you data so that you may easily analyze may easily analyze the results. Your the results. Your data can be used to data can be used to make predictions make predictions and inferences. Use and inferences. Use charts, graphs, and charts, graphs, and diagrams.diagrams.

• 11. One must state a 11. One must state a conclusion after conclusion after performing an performing an experiment. You restate experiment. You restate your purpose, describe your purpose, describe your results and tell your results and tell whether your hypothesis whether your hypothesis was supported or not by was supported or not by your data. Your your data. Your hypothesis does not hypothesis does not need to match.need to match.

• 12. Rerun your 12. Rerun your experiment.experiment.

Metric MeasurementMetric Measurement

• 13. All scientific measurement is 13. All scientific measurement is done through the metric system. done through the metric system. The basic unit of mass is grams, The basic unit of mass is grams, volume is liters, and length volume is liters, and length (distance) is meters.(distance) is meters.

LengthLength

• 14. Measure the distance of length 14. Measure the distance of length of an objectof an object

• 15. To find length, use a metric 15. To find length, use a metric ruler.ruler.

MassMass• 16. Mass is the amount of matter 16. Mass is the amount of matter

that makes up an object. It does that makes up an object. It does not change when its location not change when its location changes.changes.

• 17. To find mass use a triple 17. To find mass use a triple beam balance.beam balance.

VolumeVolume

• 18. Volume is the amount of space 18. Volume is the amount of space an object takes up or occupies.an object takes up or occupies.

• 19. To find volume of an irregular object 19. To find volume of an irregular object use a graduated cylinder use a graduated cylinder

• 20. Classification is a way of 20. Classification is a way of organizing by using organizing by using characteristics. In an effective characteristics. In an effective classification system, accurate classification system, accurate comparisons and contrasts comparisons and contrasts are made.are made.

• 21. Predictions are things 21. Predictions are things you think will happen in the you think will happen in the future based on past future based on past observations and experiences.observations and experiences.

ModelsModels

• 22. Models provide a way of visually 22. Models provide a way of visually representing abstract concepts. The representing abstract concepts. The use of models permits students to order use of models permits students to order events or processes.events or processes.

• One down and a very long and winding road One down and a very long and winding road ahead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ahead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!