Transcript 9/5: Lesson 4: Study Guide

Science
The Scientific Method:
Lesson 4:
The Scientific Method
Study Guide – Day 1
The BIG Question:
What are the steps
scientists use to
find answers to
their questions?
The BIG Question:
WHY do
scientists use
the Scientific
Method?
The Scientific Method
Most people are curious about the world around them. They want to know what
makes the weather change or why the leaves fall. They wonder why some plants grow
better in warm climates or why some animals prefer to live in cold climates.
As part of their jobs, scientists ask questions that help them find answers. They
collect information in organized ways to help them in their search for possible answers.
This organized way of asking questions, collecting information, and finding answers is
called the Scientific Method.
The Scientific Method
Most people are curious about the world around them. They want to know what
makes the weather change or why the leaves fall. They wonder why some plants grow
better in warm climates or why some animals prefer to live in cold climates.
As part of their jobs, scientists ask questions that help them find answers. They
collect information in organized ways to help them in their search for possible answers.
This organized way of asking questions, collecting information, and finding answers is
called the Scientific Method.
Why is it important to use an orderly plan when looking for answers to questions?
One reason that scientists use the Scientific Method when they investigate questions or
problems is so they can repeat the experiment many times. By repeating experiments,
scientists can be more sure that the answers they discover are correct. Also,
sometimes other scientists want to do the same experiment. These other scientists can
follow the steps in the experiment in the same order.
There is no single method for all experiments, but many scientists use a similar
series of steps.
Step 1:
Ask a question.
Scientists begin their studies by observing the natural world. They then ask
themselves questions about what they observe. One question often leads to another.
For example, a scientist might observe children flying paper airplanes. This might
lead the scientist to ask the question: How can a paper airplane be made to fly a longer
distance?
Only well-defined questions can be tested by an experiment. Questions should be
specific and based on facts. For example, the following question is not precise enough
for an experiment: What is the best paper airplane? A scientist would wonder what the
word “best” means. Does it mean the prettiest? Does it mean the most expensive?
Instead, a well-defined question would be: Will a paper airplane fly a longer distance if
it has a flat nose or a pointed nose?
Dr. Eugenie Clark
“The Shark Lady”
Can sharks be
taught to
press a wooden
target to get
food?
Good
Question
or
?
Do dogs make
better pets than
cats?
Are dogs happy
when they are
taken for a
walk?
Do dogs sleep
more than
human beings?
Are cats easier
to take care of
than dogs?
Where are
volcanoes
found?
Does the weight
of a paper
airplane affect
how far it can fly?
What is the
fastest insect
on Earth?
How can you
make a model
airplane?
What are
Pennsylvania’s
major land
forms?
What type of
pizza tastes
best?
How does rain
water become
groundwater?
Does the
amount of light
a bean plant
receives affect
its growth?