HS+BIO+Life+Cycles+Lesson+4

In our previous lesson we discussed evolution and the way life changes, can you tell me what you remember from the lesson?

Today we will be discussing the six scientific principles used to conduct research. The first is to observe the world around you. Next, form a question based on that observation. The third step is to form a testable hypothesis or answer to your question. The fourth step is to conduct an experiment. Fifth, scientists analyze their results from the experiment. The sixth step is to truthfully share your results with your community. At the end of the lesson their will be a short quiz, don't forget to raise your hand :)

There are many forms of life and much to understand about these different forms.



Science is a way of learning about the natural world as described by physical, mathematical, and other models.



Scientists use scientific principles and knowledge to investigate living, physical, and designed systems. They ask specific questions about what they want to investigate.

Different kinds of questions require different methods of scientific investigation. Some investigations involve observing and describing organisms, objects, or events. Others involve collecting specimens, or samples, and gathering information.



Scientists and biologists both use the scientific method to explore and collect information about our world. The scientific method has six steps.

1) Observation. To do this, simply look at the world around you.

2) Question. When scientists see something they do not understand, they ask a question to try and find the answer.

3) Form a Hypothesis. A hypothesis is an educated guess.

4) Experiment.



Go observe some butterflies!

When experimenting, the scientist needs a control group and a experimental group. The control group has nothing changed about them. The experimental group only has one factor about them that is different and being tested. That factor is called the variable.

5) Analysis. After scientists get their results, they make sense of them.

6) Communication. After scientists have checked their results and tested their hypothesis, they truthfully tell others their results.



Scientists check each others work by repeating the same experiments. If the same experiments give different scientists the same results, then those results are considered true. This process is called peer reviewed.

Here is an example of a person observing and forming a hypothesis about the behavior of chimpanzees. media type="custom" key="28685848"

1) Name one of the six steps in the scientific method

2) Can you point to or circle one of the five senses we use to gather information?