Environmental Science Mrs. Pearson Semester One Chapter Two Part One *For those watching by recording, watch for questions on the slides throughout the presentation. Email me the answers to the questions within two days of the lesson being presented in order to receive credit for watching the recording.

The Environment – Respect it! For several weeks after her encounter with a sea wasp, the schoolgirl’s wrist was terribly swollen. Angry welts looked about to split open. But she had been lucky. Sea wasp stings are sometimes fatal within minutes. Few poisonous snakes kill so quickly. The sea wasp is not a snake, not an insect… what is it? It is a jellyfish!

We will cover sections 1 and 2 today Chapter 2 Tools of Environmental Science Table of Contents Section 1 Scientific Methods Section 2 Statistics and Models Section 3 Making Informed Decisions We will cover sections 1 and 2 today

Chapter 2 Objectives Section 1 Scientific Methods Revisit the experimental method. Explain how scientists use statistics and define basic statistical terms. Describe three types of models commonly used by scientists. Explain the relationship between probability and risk. Explain the importance of conceptual models and mathematical models.

The Experimental Method Chapter 2 Section 1 Scientific Methods The Experimental Method Observation is the process of obtaining information by using the senses as well as the information obtained by using the senses. Give an example of a type of observation An hypothesis is an explanation that is based on observations and that can be tested. Predictions are used to test hypotheses. Experiments are procedures that are carried out under controlled conditions. Good experiments have two essential characteristics: a single variable is tested, and a control is used. Data is any piece of information acquired through observation or experimentation.

Organizing and Analyzing Data – The “SO WHAT?!” Chapter 2 Section 1 Scientific Methods Organizing and Analyzing Data – The “SO WHAT?!” Sometimes graphs are the best way to show trends or comparisons. Sometimes a table shows it better.

Organizing and Analyzing Data – The “SO WHAT?!” Chapter 2 Section 1 Scientific Methods Organizing and Analyzing Data – The “SO WHAT?!” The idea of organizing the data is to put it in a format that helps you, the scientist, to see the results AND to help you explain it to someone else. Knowing the kinds of possibilities for displaying data can help you get your point across to others. **Those watching by recording, include in your email the reason for putting data in a table or graph.

Chapter 2 Drawing Conclusions Section 1 Scientific Methods Drawing Conclusions Sometimes a conclusion is easy to see when the data is analyzed but sometimes, very oftentimes, the conclusions can lead to more questions. Experiments often provide individual pieces to a much larger puzzle.

Repeating Experiments Chapter 2 Section 1 Scientific Methods Repeating Experiments Scientists often repeat their experiments. Why? The more often an experiment can be repeated with the same results, in different places and by different people, the more sure scientists become about the reliability of their conclusions. Scientists look for a large amount of supporting evidence before they accept a hypothesis – we’re kind of a mistrusting and suspicious bunch! **Those watching by recording, include in your email the reason scientists repeat their experiments.

The Correlation Method Chapter 2 Section 1 Scientific Methods The Correlation Method When the use of experiments to answer questions is impossible or unethical, scientists test predictions by using correlations. What do you think that means? Correlation is the linear dependence between two variables… huh?! This means having situations that are similar enough that you can make some general assumptions.

The Correlation Method Chapter 2 Section 1 Scientific Methods The Correlation Method An example is the relative width of a ring on a tree trunk is a good indicator of the amount of rainfall the tree received in a given year. Trees produce wide rings in rainy years and narrow rings in dry years. This method was used to help scientists investigate why the settlers at Roanake Island all died and why many died at the Jamestown Colony… one piece of a much bigger puzzle.

The Correlation Method Chapter 2 Section 1 Scientific Methods The Correlation Method The Scientists concluded that the settlers may have been the victims of unfortunate timing. Why? What happened? **Those watching by recording, include in your email the reason scientists believe the settlers may have experienced a drought.

Imagination and Creativity Chapter 2 Section 1 Scientific Methods Imagination and Creativity One of the great things about being a scientist is in using imagination and creativity to solve problems. An example being when John Snow created a spot map which effectively pinpointed the source of a Cholera epidemic in 1854. Another example is found in the trials of the Apollo 13 crew. We are problem solvers!!

Chapter 2 Time for Section Two! Section 1 Scientific Methods Time for Section Two! “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.” **Those watching by recording, include in your email the name of the person in the picture above.

How Scientists use Statistics Chapter 2 Section 2 Statistics and Models How Scientists use Statistics Statistics is the collection and classification of data that are in the form of numbers. Let’s look at some of the common terms used in statistics.

Chapter 2 What is the Average? Section 2 Statistics and Models What is the Average? A mean is the number obtained by adding up the data for a given characteristic and dividing this sum by the number of individuals. Knowing the mean or average is helpful to scientists in evaluating populations or conditions – it helps us see if things are changing or remaining stable.

Chapter 2 Section 2 Statistics and Models Distribution Distribution describes how the data is spread out and how it is grouped. Many data sets follow what we call a bell-shaped curve distribution where the data is grouped symmetrically around the mean roughly in the shape of a ____. **Those watching by recording, include in your email what a bell-shaped curve is in statistics.

What is the Probability? Chapter 2 Section 2 Statistics and Models What is the Probability? Probability is the likelihood that a possible future event will occur in any given instance of the event Probability is usually expressed as a number between 0 and 1 and written as a decimal rather than as a fraction. We often convert the decimal over to a percentage – for example, if the probability is .2, we would say that is a 20% chance. (Move the decimal two to the right)

Understanding the News – What does that REALLY mean? Chapter 2 Section 2 Statistics and Models Understanding the News – What does that REALLY mean? The news contains statistics everyday. But many forms of the news are also businesses trying to sell information so you should weigh out what you are hearing. For example, a reporter might say, “A study shows that forest fires increased air pollution in the city last year.” This could lead you to gather and then graph data on the pollution levels for last 20 years, and looking to see if this years seem unusually high. **Those watching by recording, include in your email the reason you should weigh out what you hear from some news sources.

Chapter 2 Thinking About Risk Section 2 Statistics and Models Thinking About Risk Risk is the probability of an unwanted outcome. People often worry about big oil spills, but as the pie chart below shows, there is a much greater risk of oil pollution from everyday sources.

Chapter 2 Thinking About Risk Section 2 Statistics and Models Thinking About Risk **Don’t forget to ask yourself – who are you listening to?

Chapter 2 Section 2 Statistics and Models Models

Chapter 2 Section 2 Statistics and Models Models

Chapter 2 Section 2 Statistics and Models Models Models are patterns, plans, representations, or descriptions designed to show the structure or workings of an object, system or concept. Scientists use several different types of models to help them learn about our environment.

Chapter 2 Physical Models Graphical Models Section 2 Statistics and Models Physical Models Physical models are three-dimensional models you can touch. Graphical Models Maps and charts are the most common examples of graphical models. Scientists use graphical models to show things such as the position of the stars, the amount of forest cover in a given area, and the depth of the water in a river or along a coast.

Chapter 2 Conceptual Models Section 2 Statistics and Models Conceptual Models Conceptual models are verbal or graphical explanations for how a system works or is organized. A flow-chart diagram is an example of a conceptual model.

Chapter 2 Mathematical Models Section 2 Statistics and Models Mathematical Models Mathematical models are one or more equations that represent the way system or process works. Mathematical models are especially useful in cases with may variable, such as the many things that affect the weather.

Review Chapter 2, Sections 1 & 2 The Scientific Method is a description of how most scientific experimentation takes place. It is NOT a hard and fast, set in stone, recipe for experimentation. When conducting experiments is not possible, correlations can be another option. Statistics is a branch of math used to explain distribution, averages, and variation in data sets. Physical, graphical and conceptual models are used in science to show the workings or structure of an object, system, or concept.

QUESTIONS?