Our goal this year

Mr. Fetchs Earth Science Classroom

What is science, and what do

scientists do?

Mr. Fetchs Earth Science Classroom

Scientific Methods
The majors steps in the scientific method
are:
Step 1:

Identify a Problem

The question you want to answer. What you are

trying to find.

Step 2: Make Observations / Research

O NOT
D
S
T
S
I
T
Information
SCIEN
OW
LL

YS FO
Anything you notice about the problem.
ALWAAnything
ER L I K E
D
R
O
N
I
THESE
else you can learn.
E
A R EC I P

Step 3:

Make Hypothesis

A likely, testable explanation of the problem.

and collect data

Step 4: Test Hypothesis

Experiment to find data and possible answers to
your problem.

Step 5: Collect Data

Information
or7:
measurements
from the experiment.
Step
Draw Conclusions
Decide if your data supports your hypothesis.

Step 6:

Study / Analyze the Data

Mr. Fetchs Earth Science Classroom

Experimenting
Experimenting is an important and useful way to learn
answers to your questions or problems.

Closet

Different factors that can

change during an experiment
are known as variables.

An Independent
Variable is the
variable an
experimenter
change.

Change only 1 variable at

a time

Sunlight
Food
Water
Temperature

Window Sil

A Dependent Variable is
the variable that
occurs as a result of
the experimenters
change.

Size of the leaves

Tallness (cm of growth)
Color of leaves
Number of flower buds
Corner of the
Mr. Fetchs Earth Science Classroom
Room

Experimenting
You change only 1 variable at a time when
experimenting. The rest of the variables you would
hold CONSTANT.
Factors that do not change are
called constants.
Closet

Window Sil

You would change the amount of sunlight, but make sure the
amount of food, water, and temperature were constant
(exactly the same). If you changed more than one
variable, you would not know what caused the plant do
die.
Change only 1 variable at
Sunlight a time

Food
Water
Temperature

Corner of the
Room

Size of the leaves

Tallness (cm of growth)
Color of leaves

Mr. Fetchs Earth Science Classroom

Experimenting
A control is a standard to which you can
compare your results.
(Water)
(Salt water)
(Sugar Water)

Why should
you sure
always
repeat
your
To make
your
results
are as accurate as
experiments
several times?
possible.
After you experiment (or test your
hypothesis) you should always collected your
data, organize it, and study it. (Graph or
Trial Trial Trial Trial
Chart)
1

20
cm

40c
m

45c
m

52c
m

Mr. Fetchs Earth Science Classroom