8th Grade Science Harding Middle Chapter 1 8th Grade Science Harding Middle

Learning about the natural world Science Learning about the natural world

Using senses to gather information Observing Using senses to gather information

Quantitative Observation Using numbers or amounts

Qualitative Observation Descriptions (color, feelings, smell, taste…)

Classifying Grouping like items

Using observations to explain based on prior knowledge Inferring Using observations to explain based on prior knowledge

Making a claim of what will happen in the future Predicting Making a claim of what will happen in the future

Making conclusions based on data and observations Analyzing Making conclusions based on data and observations

Skepticism Having doubt

Information recorded for observations (facts/figures) Data Information recorded for observations (facts/figures)

Data collected during scientific processes Empirical Evidence Data collected during scientific processes

Based on feelings or personal opinion Subjective Reasoning Based on feelings or personal opinion

Beliefs that may make use of science Pseudoscience Beliefs that may make use of science

Gathering evidence about the natural world; proposing explanations Scientific Inquiry Gathering evidence about the natural world; proposing explanations

Possible answer to a scientific question Normally written as if/then Hypothesis Possible answer to a scientific question Normally written as if/then

Factor purposely changed in an experiment (by scientist) Independent Variable Factor purposely changed in an experiment (by scientist)

Something that changed due to the independent variable

Controlled Experiment Only one variable is changed at a time

Error in the design of an experiment Bias Error in the design of an experiment

Repetition of an experiment Repeated Trial Repetition of an experiment

Attempt of scientists to conduct the same experiment Replication Attempt of scientists to conduct the same experiment

Scientific Explanation Drawing conclusions with logical reasoning

Scientific Literacy Understanding terms and principles to ask questions and make evaluations

Observations and conclusions that have been repeated Evidence Observations and conclusions that have been repeated

May be formed from evidence but not confirmed Opinion May be formed from evidence but not confirmed

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Lesson 1: How do scientists explore the natural world? Scientists explore the natural world by using skills such as observing, classifying, making models, inferring, and predicting.

It also means using tools, such as a microscope, to help your senses. Observing Observing means using one or more of your senses to gather information. It also means using tools, such as a microscope, to help your senses.

Types of Observations Quantitative observations deal with numbers or amounts. Measuring a temperature or counting students Qualitative observations deal with descriptions that cannot be expressed in numbers. feelings

What are some observations that you can make about this picture?

Classifying Classifying is grouping together items that are alike in some ways; organizing

Making Models Models are representations of complex models or objects. Can be made of actual objects May be drawings or mathematical equations Examples: globe, cell, periodic table, geologic models WHY? We are better able to understand the properties of unseen parts of the natural world!

Inferring Inferences are made when you explain or interpret things that you observe. It is not guessing! They are based on reasoning from your prior knowledge and from what you observe.

Predicting A prediction is a claim or a statement made about what will happen in the future based on past experiences or evidence. Predictions are related to inferences. Inferences are attempts to explain what has already happened. Predictions are forecasts about what will happen.

Analyzing Analyzing involves evaluating observations and data to reach a conclusion about them.

Scientific Investigations These forming and testing the ideas about the natural world. This includes all of the skills discussed above.

Lesson 2: The Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge Think: What do scientific investigations involve? What are scientific and pseudoscientific thinking? What characterizes science and its methods?

A Scientific Success Dr. Percy Lavon Julian was a renowned research chemist who grew up and studied in Indiana. His first experiments isolated simple compounds found in plants. He used this knowledge to later develop drugs to treat glaucoma, slow down the effects of Alzheimer’s disease and prevent miscarriages. Julian also created aerofoam, a flame retardant that saved the lives of countless sailors during World War II. He became the first African- American chemist inducted into the National Academy of Sciences in 1973. Why do you think it is important for scientists like him to be curious?

What do investigations involve? Skills Attitudes Curiosity Honesty Creativity Open-mindedness Having doubt (skepticism) allows us to find new understandings Collecting evidence in a scientific way Using the evidence to make inferences and reach conclusions

Collecting Empirical Evidence Information that is collected during a scientific investigation Is called data. When this data is collected in a precise, logical, and consistent manner, this is called empirical evidence.

Analyzing Empirical Evidence Scientists look for patterns in evidence that allows them to make inferences and predict trends. WHY? Patterns reveal a connection among all the data. Scientists can then make inferences and predict trends from this connection. WHY DO THEY COLLECT A LOT OF DATA THAT SHOWS THE SAME PATTERN? Patterns must be well supported by data.

What are scientific and pseudoscientific thinking? Objective reasoning is based on evidence Subjective reasoning is based on personal feelings or values This could cause you to reach the wrong conclusion You have to be able to distinguish between your feelings and scientific claims A pseudoscience is a set of beliefs that my make use of science, but the conclusions and predictions are not based on observation, objective reasoning, or scientific evidence. Pseudoscience is based on subjective reasoning, faulty reasoning, or faulty beliefs that are not careful examinations of evidence Examples: astrology, palmistry, reflexology, telepathy

Nonscientific Ways of Knowing Science is logical and well-rounded. Understanding other aspects of the world requires training outside of science Artistry, philosophy, history

What characterizes science and its methods? Science is characterized by an ordered approach to learning about the world. REPEATABLE investigations

Summarize Although science is based on empirical evidence and objective reasoning, its results are open to change. Sometimes, scientific investigations produce new data that show new patterns. If the new patterns do not contradict existing ones, scientists keep their existing conclusions, or perhaps revise them slightly. However, sometimes, new patterns contradict existing patterns. Scientists must then throw out their old conclusion.

Copy AND Answer on a separate sheet of paper! How do scientists analyze empirical evidence? Give an example of a pseudoscientific idea and one example of a scientific idea. How might the conclusions drawn from scientific investigations change?

8th Grade Science 9/8/14 Read pages 18-20 in your TEXTBOOK…. Answer “My Planet Diary” (p 18) Answer “Posing Questions” (p 19) Answer “Developing a Hypothesis” and “Assess Your Understanding” (p 20)

PLACE YOUR SCIENCE BOOK ON THE BACK MIDDLE TABLE!

Lesson 3: Designing an Experiment THINK: What is scientific inquiry? How do you design an experiment? What is a scientific explanation?

What is Scientific Inquiry? Definition: the process of gathering evidence about the natural world and proposing explanations based on this evidence. How does it begin? With a QUESTION! This QUESTION leads to an OBSERVATION This leads to defining a PROBLEM. We do RESEARCH about the PROBLEM.

Developing a Hypothesis A hypothesis is a possible answer to a scientific question. It is NOT a FACT. A hypothesis must be testable. It isn’t a wild guess, or a scientific fact SCIENTISTS investigate and collect data that either supports or fails to support the hypothesis. If a hypothesis isn’t supported by the data we need to look for a new answer (new experiment).

How Do You Design an Experiment? You can design an experiment that follows reliable scientific principles to test a hypothesis. You only want ONE item (variable) that changes in an experiment. All of the other things must stay the same. By doing this you are able to notice and identify any differences. The independent variable is purposely changed in the experiment. The dependent variable changes in response to the independent variable.

Designing a Controlled Experiment A scientific experiment where only one variable is changed at a time is called a controlled experiment. REMEMBER TO KEEP ALL VARIABLES THE SAME EXCEPT FOR THE ONE YOU ARE TESTING!!! Bias is the error in the design of an experiment. You have to decide what you are planning on observing; this will help you collect data. Making a data table is an organized way to collect and record observations. You have to interpret your data; make diagrams, graphs and models. These help you identify patterns and trends.