State and District Objectives Evaluate scientific information for relevance to a given problem. Develop questions from observations that transition into testable hypotheses ormulate a testable hypothesis !redict the outcome of an investigation based on prior evidence" probability" and#or modeling $not guessing or inferring%. Specify the requirements of a valid" scientific e&planation $theory%" including that it be' logical" subject to peer revie(" public" respectful of rules of evidence E&plain the process by (hich accepted ideas are challenged or e&tended by scientific innovation. Distinguish bet(een pure and applied science. Describe ho( scientists continue to investigate and critically analy)e aspects of theories. Demonstrate safe and ethical procedures $e.g." use and care of technology" materials" organisms% and behavior in all science inquiry. *dentify the resources needed to conduct an investigation. Evaluate the design of an investigation to identify possible sources of procedural error" including' sample si)e" trials" controls" analyses Design models $conceptual or physical% of the follo(ing to represent +real (orld+ scenarios' collisions Use descriptive statistics to analy)e data" including' mean" frequency" range !ropose further investigations based on the findings of a conducted investigation. or a specific investigation" choose an appropriate method for communicating the results. ,ommunicate results clearly and logically. Lesson Objectives Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method by developing a plausible theoretical scenario that utili)es the steps of the scientific method in order to arrive at a logical conclusion. Unit 1 Lesson 1 -he Scientific .ethod -hrough research" scientists see/ to e&plain natural phenomenon and solve the natural mysteries of the Earth. Over the years" the scientific community has developed and organi)ed a logical approach to scientific reasoning and research called the scientific method. -his process of systematic reasoning consists of a set or sequential steps that are guides to specific problem solving $see igure 1%. igure 1 0 Scientific .ethod lo( ,hart -he first step in the process of the scientific method is the identification of a problem. *n order to understand if a problem can be resolved through a logical thin/ing process" a scientist must conduct research in order to understand al the various aspects of that problem. *n order to formulate (hether a problem can be evaluated to(ard a conclusion" a scientist must ma/e a hypothesis or an educated guess as to (hat the probable solution to the problem (ill be. *n order to arrive at a conclusion or solution to a problem" the hypotheses must be tested through experimentation. 1n e&periment is an organi)ed procedure used to test a hypothesis. -here are t(o elements related to the proper conduct of an e&periment. -he first element is the control. -he control is used to sho( that the result of an e&periment is really due to the condition being tested. -he other element is the variable. -his element is the factor that changes in an e&periment. -he variable factor is tested under altered conditions to see ho( the changing factor affects the results of the e&periment. During the course of an e&periment" it is essential that precise observations and measurements are recorded in order to test and or verify the hypotheses (ith reliable data and it is absolutely imperative that the observations and measurements be recorded faithfully and (ithout error. 2hen enough data as been collected and analy)ed" a judgment based on the results of an e&periment can be made. -his judgment is called the conclusion. *f after numerous tests a major hypothesis cannot be sho(n to be false" it may be accepted as a theory. 1 theory is a logical model for the e&planation of a problem or phenomenon" (hich is based upon accurate and verifiable data. aulty data or the falsifying of data is completely contrary to the entire process of e&perimentation as it relates to the scientific method because in order to be accepted" a scientific discovery must produce the same results every time it is tested! -his method ma/es science a self-correcting process" (hich helps to e&plain phenomenon and (hich" gives us practical scientific /no(ledge in the form of technology.