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DocDuck: Scientific Method

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Game Info for Teachers

COMBINED RATING

4.2 Stars

TEACHERS (41)

4.5

STUDENTS (36002)

3.8

LENGTH

14 Minutes

GRADES

CAPABILITIES

Spanish Language Support

Text-to-Speech Support

Saves Progress

Description

Join DocDuck on his quest through space and discover the scientific method! Observe the world around you, create a question, think of a hypothesis. Then solve everything using an experiment and data analysis!

Vocabulary Words

scientific method

question

phenomenon

hypothesis

observation

experiment

variable

independent variable

dependent variable

data

analyzing data

qualitative data

quantitative data

empirical evidence

linear relationship

conclusion

Instructions

Play through this interactive game to learn about Scientific Method. Suitable for Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8.

Main Concepts

The scientific method is a process that scientists follow in order to learn about the world around us.

A step in the scientific method is asking a scientific question based on observations of phenomena in the world.

Scientific questions are questions that can be answered with appropriate empirical evidence.

An independent variable is something that the scientist modifies in the experiment.

A dependent variable is something that the scientist measures in response to a change in an independent variable.

A trial is a single test of the variables that occurs during an experiment.

Many experiments have multiple trials.

Qualitative data are descriptions that can be observed but not measured precisely.

Quantitative data can be measured precisely using standard units.

Data can be represented in tables or graphical displays.

Analyzing data from an experiment is a part of the scientific process.

Scientists can communicate the results of their work in many ways, such as oral presentations, written reports, graphs, and charts.

A conclusion is a summary statement that compares the hypothesis in an investigation with the actual results.

A step in the scientific method is to draw a conclusion supported by evidence, scientific ideas, and theories.

A variable is a part of an experiment that is observed and/or changed.

A step in the scientific method is planning and carrying out an investigation to test a hypothesis.

A hypothesis is an educated guess about the answer to a scientific question based on observations and scientific principles.

A step in the scientific method is developing a hypothesis.

Empirical evidence is data gathered from measurements in an experiment.

During an investigation, data are measured and recorded.

Data can be analyzed to determine relationships between variables.

A linear relationship occurs when data show a pattern with a constant rate of change.

Discussion Questions

Before the Game

Why do scientists follow the scientific method when trying to answer a questions? What are the steps of the scientific method? What is a phenomenon and how are these related to the scientific method?

After the Game

What was the question you were trying to answer in the game? How did your hypothesis in the game reflect the independent and dependent variables? What is the difference between the independent and dependent variable? What are two kinds of data that we can collect during an experiment? What are some things that we can do to make sure our data and our experiment is valid and our data reliable?