Nature of Science Lesson 1

Understanding Science What is scientific inquiry? What are the results of scientific investigations? How can a scientist prevent bias in a scientific investigation? How is science limited?

Science comes from the Latin word scientia, which means “knowledge.” What is Science? Science comes from the Latin word scientia, which means “knowledge.”

What is Science? Science is the investigation and exploration of natural events and of the new information that results from those investigations. (the total collection of knowledge gained through man’s observations of the physical world)

Branches of Science Biology, or life science, is the study of all living things. biology from Greek bios, means “life”; and logia, means “study of”

Life Science (Biology) the study of living things

Branches of Science (cont.) The study of Earth, including landforms, rocks, soil, and forces that shape Earth’s surface, is Earth science. The study of chemistry and physics is physical science.

Scientists use skills such as observing, inferring, predicting, classifying, and making models to learn more about the world. Successful scientists possess certain attitudes, or habits of mind (Characteristics).

Characteristics of Successful Scientists Curiosity Caution Critical thinking

Curiosity Scientists love to ask questions esp. why questions; If a person can find out what causes something in nature, he will have a good chance at making useful predictions – a key goal in the work of science.

He knows not everything he reads or hears is true. Caution He knows not everything he reads or hears is true.

Caution He knows scientific thinking is based on observation (information a person gains by using one or more of his five senses).

He knows science is limited. Caution He knows science is limited.

Limitations of Science Science deals only with observables. Science cannot prove universal negatives. Science cannot make value judgments. Science cannot provide final answers.

universal negative a statement that excludes everything (a blanket statement of denial) There are no aliens.

value judgment a determination of the worth of something (deciding whether something is right or wrong, good or bad, valuable or worthless) Oh, how cute!

final answer an answer that is absolutely true (and therefore never needs to be rejected or revised)

What kind of answer can scientists give? A verified answer A verified answer is chosen at the end of an experiment because it is supported by repeated experiments or surveys. It is an answer supported by repeated experiments or surveys

Only God’s Word is absolute truth. Science is NOT about truth; it’s about finding predictions that work. Only God’s Word is absolute truth.