meteorology- the science and study of the atmosphere and atmospheric phenomena.
meteorologist- a scientist who studies the atmosphere and atmospheric phenomenon.
data- information
Science Skills:
1) observation- using your senses to get information about your surroundings.
2) inference- making a possible explanation for an observation.
3) estimation- making a careful guess
4) measurement- needing exact information about an observation.
5) prediction- stating what you think will happen in the future.
6) classify- group things together based on how they are alike.
7) hypothesize- suggest an answer to your problem based on what you know.
e.g.: "If the clouds are building higher and their bases are getting darker, then rain should begin some time soon."
8) record and organize- writing down observations, measurements, predictions, etc.
Dependent Variable: the result or effect of the experiment.
Independent Variable: Manipulated factors that can be changed and then lead to the result of the experiment.
Remember: The dependent variable (result) DEPENDS ON the independent variable (cause).
Constants: Variables that are kept the same throughout the whole experiment.
Control: Separate experiment that serves as a standard for comparison to identify experimental effects. The independent variable is not introduced in order to make the result easier to see once the real experiment is run.
1. Suppose you were testing the effects of the amount of fertilizer needed to produce tall grass.
What would be your independent variable?
Your dependent variable?
Your control?
2. A doctor is testing a new cancer drug. She chooses 50 patients who have the particular cancer to take part in the study. She gives 25 patients the new drug and the other 25 patients a placebo, which is a substance that contains no active ingredients. What is the purpose of this second group in the doctor�s study?
3. Suppose you want to find out whether doubling the amount of potassium in a soil will increase the yield of tomatoes plants.
Describe how you would test this hypothesis.
What would be your variables?
What would you use as a control?
9) analyze- look for trends and patterns and you look to see whether your findings support your hypothesis.
Scientific Method:
1) state the problem
2) hypothesis or predict
3) plan your experiment
4) gather data
5) record and organize data
6) analyze data
7) conclude- state conclusion based on data