What is the Nature of Science? What does science study and why? What does science not study and why?

Science seeks to find the answers and explanations to the natural world around us. Science is best when there is something to measure, or data to analyze Science is open to change when there is new evidence

Science is creative, and often people who have innovative ideas are criticized in their time A primary goal of science is the formation of theories and laws, which are terms with very specific meanings.

Science does not seek to answer questions about the supernatural world (religion). We use other ways of knowing to answer those questions. Poetry, dance, writing, singing… Scripture and sacred text (Bible, Koran, Torah, etc.…)

Laws and Theories We often use the words laws or theories in everyday conversation, for example, “You have to go 35 mph here, it’s the law.” So a person can choose to follow it or not, it is a social agreement. In science a Law is a rule that describes a pattern in nature. A law does not explain why, it says what will occur under certain circumstances.

examples The Law of Gravity Newton’s Laws of Motion Law of Conservation of Energy The Germ Theory of Disease Theory of Plate Tectonics Theory of Evolution Big Bang Theory

A theory in science is not a guess or hunch like we use it in everyday language. A Theory in science is an explanation of observations based on knowledge gained from many observations and investigations

A theory is supported by multiple lines of evidence A theory is accepted as “true” A theory has been tested over time and has never been disproven

A theory in science is also predictive A theory in science is also predictive. That is, what has happened in the past, will continue to happen and humans can use that information to predict what will occur.