Understanding Science 2017

1. Science- The investigation and exploration of natural events and the new information that results from those investigations. 2. Observing- Using your senses to gather information and taking note of what occurs. 3. Inference- A logical explanation of an observation. Drawn from prior knowledge.

*Very important- A hypothesis must be testable. 4. What is a hypothesis? A possible explanation for an observation that can be tested Examples: Vitamin C prevents colds; Sleeping with a math book under your pillow will teach you math; Pesticides are causing bees to die off. *Very important- A hypothesis must be testable.

5. Predicting- A statement of what will happen next in a sequence of events. Example: If the Earth continues to get hotter, the icecaps will melt and ocean levels will rise. *If your prediction is not confirmed after testing it, you might need to modify your hypothesis and retest it. (That’s what science is all about!! Finding the right answers and the search for truth.)

Scientific Theory and Law 6. Theory- the most logical explanation for events that happen in nature. Based on scientific facts. Examples: Atomic theory, theory of plate tectonics, theory of evolution, the big bang theory.

7. What is a scientific law 7. What is a scientific law?- A statement of fact that has been tested many times and is accepted as true with no exceptions. Examples: The speed of light, the gas laws, superposition, the law of thermodynamics.

8. Critical thinking is comparing what you already know- with information you are given- in order to decide whether you agree with it. “The trouble with the world is that the stupid are sure and the intelligent are full of doubt.”    ~ Bertrand Russell

Scientists should always be skeptical Scientists should always be skeptical! It is important to be skeptical because science is the search for truth and understanding. Scientists should question the results of other scientists claims and analyze their data.

The Iceman Hikers discovered the remains of a body in the Alps. Authorities thought that it was the bod of a man who went missing in 1938. Evidence showed that the remains were much older. There were several hypotheses about who he was and how he got there. After experimenting and testing many revised hypotheses, scientists concluded that the Iceman was traveling back to his native village in the valley. He encountered another man along the way and sustained a fatal wound.

10. What is a variable. Any factor that can have more than one value 10. What is a variable? Any factor that can have more than one value. (Can be anything you are trying to measure or observe). 11. Independent Variable- The factor that you want to test. (The thing being tested) 12. Dependent variable- The factor you observe or measure during an experiment.

13. What is a controlled experiment: Testing a hypothesis using two groups. One group gets the variable (the thing being tested) and the other does not. 14. Control group- The group that does not get the independent variable. (Does not get the thing being tested) 15. Experimental group- The group that gets the independent variable (the thing that’s being tested)

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