As result of Pasteur's experiment, billions and billions of lives have been saved. For hundreds of years now, doctors around the world make sure to wash their hands and sanitize facilities to keep disease-causing germs from spreading. In our school, we know always to wash our hands before and after experimenting, and to cover our mouths when sneezing. We have Louis Pasteur to thank!
Scientists are problem solvers. They observe problems in our world ("O" in Dr. OPHERC), such as the increase in greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, the spread of malaria, the rise of diabetes in the United States, the shortage of drinkable water in certain parts of the world, species extinction, etc. With these observations, scientists develop purpose/questions ("P" in Dr. OPHERC) that are testable for investigation to gather evidence to shed light on why these problems exist and how to solve them.
Our experiments may not shed light on something as "big" as global warming, but will definitely give you a better understanding of something that is important to YOU or someone in your life. This understanding can lead you (and possibly others) to make better decisions. These decisions can be related to health (how to snack more healthfully), academics (how to study more effectively), performance in sports (how to score more points in a soccer game), and even performance in video games (so that you have more time to do your homework, of course)!
If you find that none of the testable questions you have developed (so far) have any meaning or purpose (to you), don't be afraid to start from scratch. Just make sure to start with a topic that is interesting and/or meaningful to YOU.
Will YOU be the next Louis Pasteur?!
Answer the questions below in your science notebook. Write the question and answer in COMPLETE sentences.
1. How did Louis Pasteur's experiment change/shape our world?
2. Pick the testable question (among those you have written) that means the most to you. What is the purpose of this testable question?
3. WHO could benefit from the information you gather through your scientific investigation?
4. HOW might those individuals benefit from the information you gather through your scientific investigation?
5. What materials will you need to conduct the experiment (include people, place, and things)?
6. Identify the variables in your experiment:
7. What materials will you need to measure your dependent variable?
8. What might be difficult about conducting your experiment/collecting data?