scientific inquiry & problem solving
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Scientific Inquiry & Problem Solving. Chapter 1: Lesson1 Kimberly Davis Honors Chemistry. Bell-ringer Activity. Pick up one of each of the handouts from the bookcase quietly. Find your student # on the class roster on the door. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Scientific Inquiry &
Problem Solving
Chapter 1: Lesson1Kimberly Davis
Honors Chemistry
Bell-ringer Activity• Pick up one of each of the handouts from the
bookcase quietly. • Find your student # on the class roster on the
door. • Have a seat in the desk that has the same # on it.• Complete the Student Information Card.
Name: ClassE-mail: PeriodGuardian Name: Guardian Phone #:Guardian E-mail:Advisement Teacher:Extra-curricular activities/Coach:Important Information/Medical condition:
Agenda• Introduction• Classroom Policies and
Procedures• Safety Handout• Tiger Tip Review• Code of Conduct Review• Begin Notes
State the Problem• Observations: the information gathered
using any of your senses • made throughout the scientific experiment,
not only at the beginning• lead you to ask a question or identify (state)
a problem
Gather Information• use reference materials such as:
– Encyclopedias– Dictionaries– Scientific magazines and journals– World wide web
• not all information is relevant or useful to a particular science topic
Form a Hypothesis• Hypothesis: a possible answer to the
question– can be tested by an experiment
Test the Hypothesis
• Experiment: tests the affect of one thing on another using controlled conditions
• Contain many variables• Variables: the factors that affect the
experiment
Variables– Independent variable: the variable that is being
tested and is intentionally changed or manipulated
– Dependent variable: the variable that might be affected as a result of that intentional change
– Constant: factor that does not change when other variables change; • may have numerous constants in an
experiment – Control: the standard by which the test results can be compared
How might NASA scientists set up an experiment to solve the problem of the damaged tiles that caused the Columbia space shuttle accident?
They might make tiles of many different materials and subject them all to the heat and other stresses encountered by the shuttle.
NASA experiment variables:Independent variable: the materials usedDependent variable: the amount of heat the
tile can withstand without being damagedConstants: the conditions to which the tiles
were subjectedControls: tiles from the first shuttles
Bird Feeder Experiment• My neighbor has a clear bird feeder
that 3 birds frequent each day. • I bought one clear, one red, and one
blue feeder to see if color will affect which feeder a bird chooses.
• I put the feeders in my yard, each with the same amount and type of food hanging in the same area for the same amount of time.
What are the variables?• Independent variable: the color
of the feeder• Dependent variable: which bird
feeder is frequented the most or that all are equally chosen, whichever result is true
• Constant: amount and type of food, amount of time
• Control: the clear feeder
Collect Data• Gather and record the data in a lab report
or chart during the experiment.–Quantitative: involve measurements or
numbers–Qualitative: does not involve numbers or
measurements
Analyze the Data• Graph: an effective method of organization
which helps to understand and communicate data
• Bar Graph: measures things that are counted
• Line Graph: compares the independent and dependent variables
• Circle Graph: measures parts of a whole or percentages
Graph Reading Tips• Carefully read the title and the label on each axis. • Check for any other information that might be
included on the graph. • When you think you have the answer, double
check the information given in the graph. • Remember:
independent variable = on the x-axisdependent variable = on the y-axis
Bar Graph
Classro
om 1
Classro
om 2
Classro
om 3
Classro
om 419.5
2020.5
2121.5
2222.5
2323.5
2424.5
24 Students23 Students22 Students21 Students
Line Graph
0 5 10 15 20 2515
17
19
21
23
25
Classroom Temperature
ABC
Time (min)
T
empe
ratu
re (
C)
Circle Graph
Gas 50%
Steam 25%
Electric 10%
Coal 10% Other 5%
Gas Steam Electric Coal Other
• Model: a representation of an actual object or idea that explains the results or how something works or looks
• Technology: the application of science to help people – It aids scientists in developing
theories and laws.
Draw Conclusions• Conclusions: explanations based on
scientific data and observations.– answer the question as to whether or not the
data and observations support the hypothesis – may indicate that more information is needed
which creates more questions to investigate
• Inference: an explanation of the data based on facts but not on direct observation. An inference is like an assumption.– Ex. Your friend has a busted lip, so you infer
(assume) that he must have been in a fight. – An observation would be if you actually saw
the fight.
Why are results that do not support the hypothesis important?
• help scientists adjust and restate hypotheses
• help you to understand the world• sometimes explanations must be
modified as new information is learned– Ex. People used to think the world
was flat.
• Peer review: when scientists share their findings with others through publication or presentation– used to help others gain knowledge– Used to see if any errors were made in the
calculations, design, or interpretation of the data
– Prevents bias• Bias: occurs when what the scientist expects changes how the results are viewed
• Scientific theory: explanation of things or events based on knowledge gained from many observations and investigations
(an attempt to explain why the thing/event happens)• Scientific law: statement about what
happens in nature and that seems to be true all the time
(summarizes what happens)
Review of scientific processesState the problem
Test the hypothesis
Hypothesis not supported Hypothesis supported
Form a hypothesis
Gather information
Analyze data
Draw conclusions