What is science? And why do you care?

What is science? You’ve been learning about “science” your entire academic career – for at least the last 10 years of your life. Define Science. The systematic study and observation of natural phenomena in order to understand the natural world and universe. What is the goal of science? To understand the natural world (and Universe.)

True or false Science can only answer certain kinds of questions. Scientists try to prove their ideas right. Scientists can only use natural explanations, not supernatural ones. The main goal of science is to understand nature, not collect facts. Specific scientific knowledge, supported by all evidence, over time, can be considered a certainty. Established scientific knowledge can change. There are degrees of uncertainty in scientific knowledge, based on evidence. Answers in science always lead to more questions.

Who cares? UNDERSTANDING JOBS CRITICAL THINKING AND SKEPTICISM Don’t be anyone’s fool. JOBS No matter what you do, it will relate to science. CRITICAL THINKING AND SKEPTICISM Really – don’t be anyone’s fool! A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE Makes your life easier.

Two kinds of science Research Science Applied Science “Real” scientists researching in labs and in the field. Designing and conducting experiments to better explain the natural world. Biology Physics Chemistry Applied Science Using the knowledge established by research science in a practical manner. Doctors Engineers

Important terms Important and often misunderstood scientific terms: Proof What is proof? Technically, it doesn’t exist. It’s used as shorthand for “preponderance of evidence.” Natural If something can be demonstrated to exist in nature, it is natural. That doesn’t mean it is good for you. Natural chemicals that are good for you, can be toxic (H2O). Organic Means it exists in nature and contains the element carbon.

Important terms Important and often misunderstood scientific terms: Hypothesis Not exactly an “educated guess.” EXACTLY: a supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence that serves as a starting point for further investigation. Must be testable Must be falsifiable Cannot be proven true There’s more! But we will get to that when we review the scientific method. Law Descriptive generalization about how some narrow aspect of the natural world behaves under stated circumstances. Laws will tell you how things (“should” and “will”) behave when certain conditions are met. They have been supported many times over and aren’t expected to be disproven… but… Newton’s laws of motion

THEORY Important terms Important and often misunderstood scientific terms: THEORY This is a BIG one. Very misunderstood. Very misused. Stop. Just. STOP. “It’s just a theory... a guess… it hasn’t been proven… just an idea…” Really… STOP! A scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of facts that have been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experiment. Such fact- supported theories are not "guesses" but reliable accounts of the real world.

Still just a theory? You still don’t believe it? Then may I suggest…. No… really… honest. GRAVITY is “just a theory.” Are you willing to stand on the top of a 100 foot cliff and proclaim “Gravity is JUST a theory! It’s JUST a guess! It’s NOT fact!”

Not Just a theory EVOLUTION THE BIG BANG No? Good. Then start to understand, all of these are just as “true,” just as valid, just as supported, as gravity. All of these deserve the same acceptance: HUMAN CAUSED GLOBAL WARMING EVOLUTION THE BIG BANG

REVIEW THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF SCIENCE IS TO EXPLAIN THE NATURAL WORLD AND UNIVERSE UNDERSTANDING SCIENCE WILL HELP YOU BE A BETTER CITIZEN AND MAKE BETTER CHOICES UNDERSTANDING SCIENCE WILL MAKE IT HARDER FOR OTHERS TO TRICK YOU JUST AS IN LIFE, WORDS MATTER IN SCIENCE UNDERSTAND THEM AND USE THEM CORRECTLY