QUARTER 1- WEEK 1 Ways of Acquiring Knowledge and Solving Problems

MELC: Describe the components of a Scientific Investigation.

What I Know
Directions: Read each item carefully. Write only the letter of the correct answer for each
question. Use a separate sheet for your answers.

1. What is the correct order of steps in the scientific method?

a. Ask a question, make a hypothesis, test the hypothesis, draw
conclusions, and analyze results.
b. Ask a question, make a hypothesis, test the hypothesis, analyze results,
and draw conclusions.
c. Ask a question, analyze results, make a hypothesis, test the
hypothesis, and draw conclusions.
d. Make a hypothesis, test the hypothesis, analyze results, ask a question,
and draw conclusions.
2. Which of the following questions is best considered as scientific?
a. Who invented electricity?
b. How long did dinosaurs live on Earth?
c. How many koalas are there in Australia?
d. Does the amount of salt in water affect the temperature at which it boils?
3. What is the process of obtaining information using your senses?
a. inquiry
b. conclusion
c. observation
d. scientific method
4. What variable can be changed or manipulated?
a. dependent variable
b. experimental variable
c. independent variable
d. uncontrolled variable
5. A scientist hypothesizes that the temperature at which an ostrich’s egg is incubated will
determine whether the ostrich will be male or female. What is the independent variable
of this experiment?
a. scientist
b. incubator
c. temperature
d. gender of the ostrich

Science is a way of thinking and a way of gathering knowledge about the things
around us that is both accurate and reliable. It is the quest to understand and improve our
understanding of the world we live in and how things work or why they work the way they
 do.

The scientific method is like the road map that you follow to get to your target
destination. It is the process by which science is carried out, as in other areas of
inquiry; science through scientific method can build on previous knowledge and develop a
more comprehensive understanding of its topics of study over time.
BASIC STEPS OF SCIENTIFIC METHOD

1. MAKE OBSERVATIONS
There are tons of everyday activities that would make potential science experiments
using the scientific method. A student noticed that ice melted fast in water.

2. COME UP WITH A QUESTION

The students’ observations should lead to some sort of questions. Does ice melt
faster in different liquids? Curiosity on what happens to the ice in liquids can be
satisfied through a simple science experiment using the scientific method.

3. DEVELOP A HYPOTHESIS OR PREDICTION

You have made your observations and you have your questions. Now you need to
predict what you think will happen next.

A hypothesis is not simply a guess! A hypothesis is an educated guess or tentative

answer to a problem. The student thinks that ice will melt faster in juice than it will in
water. Maybe he just wants to get a drink of juice out of it.

Example: 1. What happens to the growth of mongo seeds if table salt was added
to the soil?
2. Tomato seeds may grow faster in colder temperature.

Hypothesis: 1. If the amount of salt added to the soil increases, then the growth
of mongo seeds decreases.
2. If tomato seeds were planted in colder temperature, then the seeds will
grow at a faster rate.

Let’s Try This

1. What effect does temperature have on the dissolution rate of sugar in water?
Hypothesis:
2. Eating chocolates may cause pimples.
Hypothesis:

Variables
Identifying and controlling variables involve the process of deciding which variables or
factors will influence the outcome of an experiment, situation or event and deliberately
control all recognized variables in a systematic manner.

Variables in an experiment may be independent or dependent. The variable that is

being manipulated or controlled is called independent variable. The dependent variable
changes because of a test. It is the effect that arises from the changes in the independent
variable.
Quick Check:

Marshmallow Muscles

Larry was told that a certain muscle cream was the newest best thing on the market
and claims to double a person’s muscle power when used as a part of a muscle-
building workout. Interested in this product, he buys the special muscle cream and
recruits Patrick and SpongeBob to help him with an experiment. Larry develops a special
marshmallow weightlifting program for Patrick and SpongeBob. He meets with them once
every day for a period of 2 weeks and keeps track of their results. Before each session
Patrick’s arms and back are lathered in the muscle cream, while SpongeBob’s arm and
back are lathered with the regular lotion. (Source: www.kent.edu)

Time Patric SpongeBob

k
Initial 18 5
Amount
After 1 week 24 9

After 2 33 17
weeks

Directions: Answer the following questions. Write your answer in a separate sheet.
1. What is the independent variable?
2. What is the dependent variable?
3. What should Larry’s conclusion be?

4. CONDUCT AN EXPERIMENT OR TEST THE HYPOTHESIS

We made a prediction that ice will melt faster in juice than in water, and now we must
test our hypothesis. We set up an experiment with a glass of juice, a glass of water and
an ice cube for each.

For the best experiments, only one thing should change! Here, we are changing the
type of liquid we use but keeping the ice cube, the temperature, and measurements of
the liquid the same. If too many factors change at once, you cannot accurately state
what the results are.

The liquids should be roughly the same temperature (as close as possible) and
measured to the same amount, so we left them out to come to room temperature. This
could also be tested right out of the fridge! Set up a stopwatch or set a time limit to
observe the changes!

5. RECORD AND ANALYZE THE RESULTS

Make sure to record what is happening as well as the results. Note changes at
specific time intervals or after one set time interval. When each ice cube is completely
melted, add drawings if you wish at the end results. Was your prediction accurate? If it
is not accurate, state the reason/s.

6. DRAW CONCLUSIONS

This is the opportunity to talk about your hypothesis, your experiment, your results,
and your conclusion which is the final answer to your problem or experiment!
LEARNING TASK. Directions: Use the scientific method in solving problem through an
experiment.
Answer the following questions.

1. What is the problem in this activity?

2. Formulate your hypothesis. (List down at least 3 hypotheses)
3. What is the dependent variable?
4. What is the independent variable?
5. Analyze your results. Which type of liquid will prevent the apple from turning
brown?
a. lemon
b. milk
c. soda
d. water

What I Have Learned

 Directions: Read the paragraph carefully and identify the correct words that fit in
the given sentences inside the box. Write your answer on a separate sheet.

Analyze the results Draw a conclusion Six

Dependent Question/Problem Scientific Method
Hypothesis Observation Independent
Test the hypothesis

(1) is a process that involves observation,

data gathering, experimentation and analysis. This method is composed
of (2) steps. By making a detailed (3)
of the world around you through your senses, you
can be able to formulate a (4) . This step will
lead you to an educated guess called (5) , where
you can have tentative answer to your question. In order for you to prove
your educated guess you need to (6) by designing and
conducting an experiment. In the experiment you need to identify the variables
present and these are the (7) and (8) variables.
The data from the experiment will be collected to (9)
The summarized results from the experiment will determine whether the
hypothesis is accepted or rejected and that is where you (10) .
PERFORMANCE TASK: Directions: Design a simple scientific investigation on a specific
problem in your area or at home. Write it in your science notebook. For example, you turn the light
switch ON, and the bulb does not light inside your room. Use the scientific method in your investigation.
Describe each step that you will do to solve the problem.