This book teaches students about the science process and prepares them for applying science skills at a higher learning level. Students develop basic research skills and continue onto advanced skills needed for developing complex experiments, writing formal research papers, and presenting scientific research. FEATURES: Students actively participate using this student version of Students and Research Safety precautions are listed at the beginning of the book Chapter objectives provide a clear summary of what students can expect to learn Perforated pages and worksheets make it convenient and easy to use Various levels of sophistication so students begin with structured activities, do practice problems, and then reach the world class level where they design their own experiments Classroom sets provide a complete classroom resource for students and teachers Focuses on Standard A for the Science Contest Standards for grades 5-8 and 9-12 of the National Science Education Standards (NSES)  

Table of Contents:
Introduction   Chapter 1  Developing Basic Concepts Designer Planes Investigation 1.1 Designer Planes Hot Solutions Investigation 1.2 Hot Solutions Summarizing Measurements and Count Data Observations: A Type of Data Summarizing Observations of Data Searching the Web Practice Chapter 2  Applying Basic Concepts Checking the Design Learning from Scenarios Compost and Bean Plants Activity 2.1 Design Detective Metals and Rusting Iron Perfumes and Bees: Behavior Fossils and Cliff Depth Aloe vera and Planaria Evaluating Your Experimental Design Skills Practicing Your Skills Searching the Web Practice Chapter 3  Generating Experimental IdeasThe Four Question Strategy Applying the Four Question Strategy Prompts for Brainstorming Ideas for Experiments Practicing Your Skills Evaluating Your Responses to the Four Questions Searching the Web Practice Chapter 4  Describing Experimental ProceduresFrom Brainstormed Ideas to Experimental Design to Procedure Brainstorming Ideas Clarifying Experimental Components Experimental Design Visualizing Steps Using Safe Procedures Evaluating Your Procedures Safety Procedures Practicing Your Skills Searching the Web Practice Chapter 5  Constructing Tables and GraphsConstructing Data Tables Evaluating Your Skills with Data Tables Constructing Line Graphs Investigation 5.1 Time and Absorption Evaluating Your Skills with Line Graphs Bar versus Line Graphs Constructing Bar Graphs Evaluating Your Skills with Bar Graphs References Searching the Web Investigation 5.2 Brand and Absorption Practice Chapter 6  Writing Simple ReportsSimple Reports Title Introduction Experimental Design Diagram Procedure Results Conclusion Investigation 6.1 Super Fizzers Evaluating Your Report Searching the Web Chapter 7  Using Library and Internet Resources Stage 1: Establish an Interest Stage 2: Narrow the Topic Stage 3: Clarify Variables Stage 4: Refine the Procedures Stage 5: Interpret the Unexpected Locating Online Information References Searching the Web Practice Chapter 8 Analyzing Experimental Data Reviewing Basic Concepts Activity 8.1 Analyzing Experimental Data Types of Data Describing Data Data Tables for Descriptive Statistics Data Table for Plant Height Data Table for Plant Health Data Table for Leaf Quality Making Decisions about Descriptive Statistics and Graphs References Searching the Web Investigation 8.1 A Sudsy Experience Practice Chapter 9  Communicating Descriptive Statistics Writing about Quantitative Data Writing about Qualitative Data Nominal Data Ordinal Data Writing a Conclusion Evaluating Your Paragraphs of Results and Conclusion Searching the Web Investigation 9.1 Circles, Bulges, and Feathers Practice Chapter 10  Displaying Dispersion/Variation in DataOverview of Statistical and Graphical Presentations Stem-and-Leaf Plots Boxplots (Box and Whisker Diagrams) Standard Deviation and Variance Calculating Dispersion/Variation in Experimental Data Stem-and-Leaf Plots Investigation 10.1 Paper Worms Boxplots (Box and Whisker Diagrams) Standard Deviation and Variance Making Decisions about Dispersion/Variation in Data References Searching the Web Investigation 10.2 Watery Statistics Practice Chapter 11  Determining Statistical SignificancePopulations and Samples Practice Set 1 Hypothesis Testing The t Test Practice Set 2 Two Treatment Groups Three Treatment Groups Practice Set 3 Investigation 11.1 Magnetic Time Chi-Square Goodness of Fit Multiple Comparisons Evaluating Your Skills References Searching the Web Practice Set 4 Investigation 11.2 Containing the Curdles Chapter 12  Designing Complex ExperimentsRepeated Measures over Time Repeated Treatments over Subjects Two Independent Variables Three Independent Variables Correlation References Searching the Web Investigation 12.1 Holding the Heat Investigation 12.2 Practice Makes Perfect Investigation 12.3 Fruit Appeal Investigation 12.4 Collapsing Bridges Practice Chapter 13  Preparing Formal Papers Review of the Literature Formal Research Papers Student Research Paper Using Technology: Surfing the Web for Carnivorous Plants Evaluating Your Skills References Searching the Web Chapter 14  Presenting Scientific Research Science Fair Displays Poster Displays Oral Presentations Using Technology: Presentation Graphics Programs Searching the Web Chapter 15  Evaluating Your Knowledge of Experimental Design and Data AnalysisUse the Following Scenario to Answer Questions 22-23 Answers to Chapter 15 Self-Test of Your Knowledge of Experimental Design and Data Analysis Appendix A:  Using Technology Glossary Index