ES101 9/2/10 If you had lab yesterday and still need to turn in the answers to the “Round River” questions, do that at the end of class. You do not need to turn in #s 6 & 7... you are responsible for them. I.What is science? II.Scientific Method

Directions for Setting Up Your Clicker 1.make sure no lights are flashing on your clicker 2.Press the “GO” button (lower left corner). You should see the light blinking red-green-red-green. 3.Press “4” then “1.” 4.Press the “GO” button again. 5.You should now see a constant green light. 6.To check that it worked, press any button (except “GO”) and you should see a green light. 7.If you see a red light, try steps 1 through 4 again. 8.If it still doesn’t work, see me at end of lecture.

Do we have your clicker number? 1.I entered my clicker number in lab yesterday. 2.I ed my clicker number to my prof. 3.I still need to give my clicker number to my lab instructor.

In lecture, we recommend that you write down all text that appears in the color 1.green 2.white 3.yellow

Taking notes from Powerpoint! For this class: Things you need to know are written in white Required info repeated from a previous slide written in green Examples, case studies, etc. are written in yellow – don’t need to write it down

ES Goal: Sustainability = Ecological “balance” and human progress that last over the long term = meeting the needs of the present generation (of all species) without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

Evidence of Sustainability? Reducing rates of human population growth Bald eagle populations have recovered! In U.S. we don’t dump raw sewage into the water Many laws protecting the environment Awareness of the problem Etc.!

Evidence of unsustainability? Global climate change, increasing greenhouse gases Human population still growing fast More wars, conflicts over resources Running out of oil Species going extinct faster than they would without humans Etc.!

How to achieve Sustainability? Study the problem – scientific method, critical thinking Understand the natural world Understand human impacts Learn how to change human behavior! Via laws, persuasion, communication, business, arts, etc.!

What is science? = A way of knowing the world = A method of finding answers Science is: 1.Empirical: Studies only things that physically exist (made of matter or energy) 2.Testable: If no way to collect data, can’t be science 3.Repeatable: Several scientists must get same results 4.Falsifiable: New evidence will “falsify” or disprove scientific ideas

Steps in the scientific method 1.Observation – Perceive something interesting, identify a question 2.Hypothesis – A possible explanation of the observation or answer to the question. –Must have an independent variable (cause) and a dependent variable (effect) 3.Test – Collect data on the independent and dependent variables 4.Conclusion – Examine data, decide if hypothesis is supported or rejected.

The scientific method 1.Observation 2.Hypothesis 3.Test 4.Conclusion If hypothesis is rejected, start again! If hypothesis is supported, dig deeper; test new ideas.

If hypothesis is supported, dig deeper; test new ideas. if hypoth. supported many times Theory – hypothesis that has been tested many times and never disproven Natural Law – Theory that holds true everywhere

Example of Using the Sci. Method to help solve an envi. problem – The BP Oil Spill Photo from Yahoo! News: Oil swirls in the Gulf of Mexico currents May 6. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Example of Using the Sci. Method to help solve an envi. problem – The BP Oil Spill 1. Observation Question: Are there organisms that help break down the oil?

naturally occurring bacteria can break down oil

naturally occurring (native) bacteria do the best job

lab engineered bacteria should be used

What do you think would do the best job “eating” oil from the BP oil spill? 1.native bacteria. 2.lab bacteria

How much would you be willing to bet that you are correct? 1.lunch money 2.your iPod 3.$ your tuition money

Example of Using the Sci. Method to help solve an envi. problem – The BP Oil Spill 1. Observation Question: Are there organisms that help break down the oil? naturally occurring bacteria can break down oil native bacteria do the best job lab bacteria should be used 2.Hypothesis

dependent variable (effect) amount of oil “eaten” independent variable (cause) type of bacteria (native vs. lab)

2. Hypothesis dependent variable (effect) amount of oil eaten independent variable (cause) type of bacteria (“natural” vs. lab) Naturally occurring bacteria will “eat” more oil per unit time than lab engineered bacteria.

If still don’t have a clicker, for today only, turn in a paper with your name and section number. Make sure we have your clicker number! You can write it and your name and your section number on a piece of paper and turn it in now. LabSection Number Wed 8am, Rolke31 Wed 10am, Koning32 Wed 2pm, Singleton33 Wed 4pm, Singleton34 Fri 12pm, Rolke36