Starter – 8/30/16 Describe the Nature of Science. What are some important elements or ideas that we talked about last class? 5 Sentences

Biology – The Nature of Science

UNIT OBJECTIVES Define the concept of science as a process. List the steps of the scientific method Determine type of variables in a scientific process. Inference vs. Observation Learn the Characteristics of Living Things

Scientific Attitudes What characteristics to scientists have in order to help science progress?’ Skepticism Open-mindedness Creativity

Science A process through which nature is studied, discovered, and understood. All areas of science involve posing inquiries (questions) about nature. Science is never finished. A way of knowing!!!

What are the steps of the scientific method?

Scientific Method 1. Stating a problem Something is considered a problem if its solution is not obvious. Some crucial information is missing. Solving the problem involves finding this missing information.

Scientific Method 2. Collecting information on the problem The more you know about the problem the more precisely you can state the problem and the less time you will waste looking for solutions.

Scientific Method 3. Making a hypothesis a. Use what you know about the problem to predict a solution and try it. b. Look for patterns that will help you make predictions about the problem.

Scientific Method 3. Making a hypothesis c. Make a model, or a representation, of what you’re working with. d. Break the problem down into smaller, simpler problems.

Scientific Method 4. Performing an experiment Design an experiment that will provide a means for you to make a solid conclusion about your hypothesis.

Scientific Method 5. Analyze your data Use measurements and observations to make graphs, tables, and statements that either support or deny your hypothesis.

Scientific Method 6. Make a conclusion A solid conclusion is related to the hypothesis and based on the results of a well designed experiment.

Processes of Science Observing Hypothesizing Experimenting Measuring Collecting data Organizing data Analyzing data Communicating

Terms and Definitions Theory – The most probable explanation based on the best available evidence. Example: Cell Theory, Theory of Evolution

Terms and Definitions Facts – Data or evidence that can be observed repeatedly Example: The sun rises in the East and sets in the West

Terms and Definitions Inference – A conclusion drawn on the basis of facts Example: Your biology teacher knows everything!

Terms and Definitions Hypothesis – An educated guess – a testable statement Example: The sidewalk is wet because the sprinklers came on Usually and If… Then statement.

Terms and Definitions Law – A general statement that describes or explains a wide variety of phenomenon Example: Law of Thermodynamics, Law of Gravity

Terms and Definitions Superstition – A belief that is not based on evidence Example: It is considered bad luck to open an umbrella indoors.

Experimental Design Concepts

Experimental Design Concepts A science experiment is designed so that only one variable is being tested at a time.

Experimental Design Concepts A variable is something that is changed to study how this change affects the thing being studied.

Experimental Design Concepts By changing only one variable, when you make your conclusion you can be assured that it is only that one variable that is causing the effect.

Experimental Design Concepts Independent variable (IV) – The variable that is purposely changed by the experimenter.

Experimental Design Concepts Dependent variable (DV) – The variable that depends on the independent variable and is measured or counted.

Experimental Design Concepts Constant (C) – All factors that are kept the same during the experiment.

Experimental Design Concepts Control – The standard to compare the experimental effect against.

Experimental Design Concepts Repeated Trials (T) – The number of objects/organisms undergoing treatment for each value of the independent variable, or the number of times the experiment is repeated.

Examples! Lets do them together!

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Examples with your Table Harry decides to see which of 3 acne creams works the best. So he tries different creams for one month at a time and sees how many zits he has during each month. Name IV, DV, CV

Examples with your Table Pick up line Percent Success Do you have a map? I just keep on getting lost in your eyes. 10 Hi. I suffer from amnesia. Do I come here often? [Look at her shirt label.] When they say, "What are you doing?" You respond: "Yep! Made in heaven!" 100 Name IV, DV, CV

Example by YOURSELF Bertha Jean wants to know which energy drink provides mice with the most pep. She times 10 mice on a racecourse and then gives them Monster and times them again to see how much better their times are. She then does the same with 10 other mice and Amp and then with 10 more mice and Wired. Name IV, DV, CV

Honors Design your own experiment. We want to see what factors cause a plant to grow most effectively. What do plants need to grow? Lets make a list.

Honors What is our Dependent Variable? What is going to be your Independent Variable? What will you keep constant? What will you measure? How often? How many plants? Will you have a control group?

Heart Rate Lab

Metric System

The Metric System Used by most other countries for normal measurements Used by scientists all over the world!

Different Parts of the Metric System

A Metric Cheat Sheet Measuring Tool Base Unit Mass Length Volume Temp. Copy and fill in the following chart to help you remember the different parts of the metric system Measuring Tool Base Unit Mass Length Volume Temp.

Length A measure of distance Base unit is the meter Measured with a ruler or meter stick

Mass The amount of matter something is made of Base unit is the gram Measured with a balance

Volume Measure of how much space something takes up Base unit is liters Measured with Graduated Cylinders, pipets, beakers, flasks, burets, etc.

Temperature Measure of amount of energy in an object Measured in degrees Celsius (or sometimes Kelvin) Measured with a thermometer

Metric Prefixes Kilo – k 103 Hecto – h 102 Deca – D 101 Base Unit (meter, liter, gram) Deci – d 10-1 Centi – c 10-2 Milli – m 10-3 Micro – μ 10-6 Make your own Chart!! Nano – n 10-9

Practice Problems 1 meter = ___mL 1 mL = ___m 1 km = ___m

What we will use! Temperature Volume Mass Length Degrees Celsius L & mL Mass G & mg Length Km & m & mm