Nature of Science What are the basic ideas behind the process of science? Science is a process based upon observational and experimental studies using scientific methods to develop or explore scientific theories or laws.

Lesson 1: Understanding Science How is science different than other courses of study?

Science – the investigation and exploration of natural events and of the new information that results from those investigations Describe each of the following: Life Science – Earth Science – Physical Science -

Which branch of science does it belong to?

Scientific Inquiry BrainPOP video (2:53) http://connected.mcgraw- hill.com/media/repository/protected_content/COMPOUND/50000022/6 6/35/Scientific_Methods/00044686.htm?mghCourseID=DBVDKL33XEM WNC9B3HX36KNS61

Key Terms Observation – the act of watching something and recording what occurs Inference – a logical conclusion based on available information or evidence Hypothesis – a possible explanation about an observation that can be tested by scientific investigations Prediction – a statement of what will happen next in a sequence of events; uses “If…, then ….” statement

Classify the statements as an observation or inference The apple covering is red. The apple is edible. There are seeds inside the apple.

Experimental VS Observational Studies Evidence Observing using senses Inference Using models in astronomy Controlled experiment Studying volcanic eruptions Variables Tidal patterns

Science involves the use of imagination. Science uses observable evidence to explain natural events. Science knowledge can change with new evidence. Scientists come from all different cultures. Difference between an inference and observation.

What is the difference between a scientific law and scientific theory? Explanation of A rule that describes a pattern in nature observation of events that is based on knowledge gained from many observations and investigations

What is the difference between a scientific law and scientific theory? Scientific Theory examples Scientific Law examples Big Bang Theory Universal law of Gravitation Theory of Relativity Newton’s Law of Motion Natural Selection Law of Superposition

What is the difference between a scientific law and scientific theory? Explains observations based on many observations, investigations, evidence and is widely accepted by scientists Describe an event often with mathematical formulas Can change with new evidence DO NOT become Scientific Laws

Designing a Scientific investigation What is the purpose of a hypothesis in an investigation? A hypothesis is valuable even if not supported by data. It is a prediction of what the investigator expects will happen

Designing a Scientific investigation Why is it important to have only one test variable? You must only have one test variable so that you will know the correct results in an experiment. If more than one is used any results will be confused by the outcome. Test Variable (independent variable) is what is being tested or changed by the investigator Outcome variable (dependent variable) is the data of the experiment or the results. What happened?

Designing a Scientific investigation Why is accurate record keeping important in an investigation? Why are precise measurements important? Accurate record keeping is important in a scientific investigation to ensure replication.

Designing a Scientific Investigation Why is replication important? Replication is when an investigation is duplicated by others and leads to validation. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Designing a Scientific Investigation Why is repetition important? By keeping accurate records the experiment can be repeated multiple times to verify the results of the experiment. And accuracy

Models are used as a visual representation to gain understanding This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND

Why do we need SI units? So that we can communicate with the world our results.

Societal laws VS Scientific laws Societal laws are valid only from one area to another. Example: US government laws are not valid in another country like France or Russia. Scientific laws are valid everywhere in the world. This is due to SI Units being the universally used.

Question Example: Keesha did an experiment to study the rate of photosynthesis in the water plant Elodea. She placed a piece of Elodea in a beaker of water and set the beaker 10 centimeters (cm) from a light source. Keesha counted the bubbles released from the plant every minute for five minutes (min). She repeated the process two more times. First, she moved the light to 20 cm from the beaker, and then she moved the light to 30 cm from the beaker. Keesha’s setup and data are shown below. What is the outcome variable (dependent variable) in this experiment? A. the number of bubbles produced B. the type of plant placed in the beaker C. the distance of the light source from the plant D. the amount of time the bubbles were counted

Write hypotheses that can be tested (using if/then statements.) Example: If the plant is watered daily with water then it will grow two feet in three months. Identify variables in an investigation. Things that are changed. Identify control and experimental group in an investigation. Control group nothing is changed but in Experimental it is changed or tested. Collect and organize data. Interpret and analyze data. Defend conclusions using phrases such as “results support” or “fail to support.” Remember that failing to support is not a failure it is just a part of Science Identify errors in an experiment. Errors in an experiment Identify proper units for measurement. Identify and use scientific tools.