Myths and Truths about science How is science done? Myths and Truths about science

Myths about Science 1. Science is always done with the scientific method 2. Science is always done with an experiment 3. If you use the scientific method, you always get the right answer 4. Scientific information is proven and never changes

Scientific Method 1. Ask a question 2. Make a hypothesis (not an educated guess!) IF- THEN, BECAUSE statement 3. Do an experiment 4. Analyze results 5. Make a conclusion Wash, Rinse, and Repeat!

What is actually true about Science Science is done many ways, and most scientists don’t ever use the scientific method.

Scientific and Engineering Practices Asking questions and defining problems Developing and using models Planning and carrying out investigations Analyzing and interpreting data Using mathematics and computational thinking Constructing explanations and designing solutions Engaging in argument from evidence Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

What is actually true about Science 2. Many sciences such as Astronomy and Paleontology can’t do experiments, so they get evidence from other methods of investigating like observing stars, or analyzing bones.

What is actually true about Science 3. You can do science wrong! And scientists make mistakes all the time! Validity Reliability

Investigations have to be valid and reliable Reliability- can some one else do the same experiment and get the same result? Validity- are there any other explanations for the data? Was the experiment a fair test? Did something go wrong?

What is actually true about Science 4. Scientific findings are explanations of the observations we have made. As we are able to make new observations, those explanations can and do change. Ex. Continental drift -Theory of Plate Tectonics New observations caused our ideas to change

Draw this table in your notes and fill it in as you watch the video Things they did right Things they did wrong

Do you think they were really doing science Do you think they were really doing science? Use evidence from your table to explain your answer.