August

24th, 2018
DO NOW #3
1. Identify which part 2. Identify which part
of this phrase is an of this phrase is an
observation – “I saw inference – “I saw ice 3. What is a
ice on the lake on the lake yesterday. hypothesis?
yesterday. The lake The lake must be
must be cold.” cold.”

4. Where can 5. What variables

are important
science when designing
happen? an experiment?
 DO NOW #3 Answers
1. Identify which part of this phrase is an observation – “I saw ice on
the lake yesterday. The lake must be cold.”
The part of the phrase that is an observation is “I saw ice on the
lake” because it is a statement using one of the five the senses.

2. Identify which part of this phrase is an inference – “I saw ice on the

lake yesterday. The lake must be cold.”
The part of the phrase that is an inference is “the lake must be
cold” because it is a guess or explanation based on your
observations/knowledge.
 DO NOW #3 Answers
3. What is a hypothesis?
A hypothesis is a testable prediction.

4. Where can science happen?

Science can happen anywhere.

5. What variables are important when designing an experiment?

Four important variables to consider when designing an
experiment are: independent, dependent, constant, and control.
 Verbal Drills
1. When I say independent
variable you say…
MANIPULATE

2. When I say dependent

variable you say…
RESPONDING

3. Observations use your…

FIVE SENSES
August 23rd, 2018
Objective: I can explain that the Agenda:
scientific method is a process  First Five/Do Now
driven by observation and  Verbal Drills
experimentation.  Overview
• Lab Overview
Essential Question: How do • Lab (Work Period)
scientists use the scientific method • Closing
to solve problems? • Exit Ticket/Last Five
Nature of Science
Day Two

Environmental Science
 St. John’s River
Watershed Investigation
Let’s Review
● What is a watershed?
● What watershed do we live in?
● What is unique about the watershed that we live in?
● What are issues with the watershed we live in?
● What is storm water runoff?
● What is the question we are trying to answer?
 What common
watershed contaminant
is the most harmful to
the St. John’s River?
How are we going to test this?
Read through the lab handout
and summarize what we will
be doing with your table.
You will be given river water and four
common contaminants.
● Sample A: Fertilizer
● Sample B: Parabens
● Sample C: Gasoline/Oil
● Sample D: Coal By-Products
● Sample E: Uncontaminated
River Water
But how will we know which
one is the most harmful?
pH and Contamination Value
pH is a measure of how acidic or basic something is (or
how many free H+ ions are in that substance).

Living organisms exist best at a pH 7. Fortunately, water is

normally a pH 7.

In order to measure how must the river has been harmed,

we will measure the pH of each substance and see how far
from 7 it is.
Before Experiment Questions
1. What question is this experiment trying to answer?

What common watershed contaminant is the most harmful

to the St. John’s River?
Before Experiment Questions
2. What do you predict will happen in this experiment?
[HINT: Which one do you think will be the most harmful?]

I predict that gasoline (or coal, fertilizer, parabens) will be

the most harmful contaminant to the St. John’s River.
Before Experiment Questions
3. Use the question and your prediction to write a
hypothesis for this experiment.

Gasoline (or coal, fertilizer, parabens) will be the most

harmful contaminant to the St. John’s River as measured
by pH.
Before Experiment Questions
4. What is the independent variable? [Manipulate]

The type of watershed contaminant is the independent

variable.
Before Experiment Questions
5. What is the dependent variable? [Measure]

The dependent variable is the pH or contamination value.

Before Experiment Questions
6. What is the control?

The control is uncontaminated river water.

Before Experiment Questions
7. What are some constants to consider?

Some constants to consider include: the type of pH strip,

pH testing methods, the amount of liquid you test…
Before Experiment Questions
8. How are you going to be safe during this experiment?

I will be safe during this experiment by following the

procedure, wearing safety goggles, using gloves, and
following all directions.
So we’ve been talking about
the Scientific Method and
how we do science…
Materials

● All the items you need for

the experiment?
● What materials do you
need for our experiment?
Methods

● Specific tests or measurements you will take

during your experiment and how you conduct
those tests or measurements.
pH Testing
● Take your five pH strips and lay them on a sheet of
white paper.
● Then, use the dropper to drop a few drops of each
sample on the pH strip.
● It should change color instantly.
● Compare the strip to the color chart to determine the pH
of the sample.
Contamination Value
● The contamination value of a PRACTICE
substance is how much the River Water: 7
pH of a substance deviates Sample A: 5
Sample B: 8
from a pH of 7 or neutral.
● The higher the
7 – 5 = 2 Absolute Value of 2 is 2.
contamination value, the 7 – 8 = -1 Absolute Value of -1 is 1.
more harmful a substance is
to a water ecosystem.
Procedures
● The steps it takes to complete
the desired experiment.
● Instructions on how to do the
experiment.
● READ all instructions prior to
starting.
Data Collection
● When considering how to collect your data, you must
first determine what kind of data you are collecting.
● Qualitative Data – Words to describe your data. Ex.
Dolphins have smooth skin.
● Quantitative Data – Numbers to describe your data. Ex.
Dolphins eat 10 lbs. a day.
● What kind of data are you collecting? Where will you
record your data?
 Complete the
Lab
Finished early? Double check all your math and data. On a SCRAP sheet of
paper, plan how you would graph today’s data.
 August FIRST FIVE CHECK
 Pick up materials.
23rd, 2018  Find seat.
 Organize desk and materials.
 Write down homework.
Exit Ticket #4  Begin DO NOW.

1. Compare and 2. What should 3. How do

contrast you do before scientists use the
quantitative data scientific method
and qualitative starting any to solve
data. lab? problems?