Nature of Science Ms. Mejia

Vocabulary Please take notes of the following vocabulary words and definitions on to your binder. There will be a vocabulary quiz on the Friday, August 23, 2018.

Vocabulary Science = Is the investigation and exploration of natural events and of the new information that results from those investigations. Observation = The results of using one or more of your senses to gather information and taking note of what occurs. Inference = Is a logical explanation of an observation that is drawn from prior knowledge or experience.

Vocabulary Hypothesis = A possible explanation for an observation that can be tested by scientific investigations. Prediction = Is a statement of what will happen next in a sequence of events. - Ask students for examples of a hypothesis.

Examples of A Strong Hypothesis 1. If skin cancer is related to ultraviolet light, then people with a high exposure to uv light will have a higher frequency of skin cancer. 2. If leaf color change is related to temperature, then exposing plants to low temperatures will result in changes in leaf color. 3. If the rate of photosynthesis is related to wave lengths of light, then exposing a plant to different colors of light will produce different amounts of oxygen. 4. If the volume of a gas is related to temperature, then increasing the temperature will increase the volume. - Middle schools students should be writing their hypothesis in an if/then statement.

Vocabulary Scientific Theory = Is an explanation of observations or events that is based on knowledge gained from many observations and investigations. Scientific Law = is a rule that describes a repeatable pattern in nature. Example of a S. Theory = Einstein, among others, the big bang theory postulates that the universe began almost 14 billion years ago with a massive expansion event. - Example of a S. Law = E = mc², c refers to the speed of light in a vacuum. / The law of conservation of mass states that mass in an isolated system is neither created nor destroyed by chemical reactions or physical transformations. 

Vocabulary Technology = is the practical use of scientific knowledge, especially for industrial or commercial use. Critical Thinking = Is comparing what you already know with the information you are given in order to decide whether you agree with it.

Vocabulary Description = Is a spoken or written summary of observations. Explanation = Is an interpretation of observations. International System of Units (SI) = the internationally accepted system of measurement.

Vocabulary Scientific Notation = A method of writing or displaying very small or very large values in a short form. Percent Error = Is the expression of error as a percentage of the accepted value. Variable = Is any factor that can have more that one value.

Vocabulary Independent Variable = is the factor that you want to test. Dependent Variable = Is the factor you observe or measure during an experiment.

Vocabulary Control Group = Contains the same factors as the experimental group, but the independent variable is not changed. Experimental Group = Is used to study how a change in the independent variable changes the dependent variable.

Vocabulary Qualitative Data = uses words to describe what is observed. Quantitative Data = Uses numbers to describe what is observed.

Class-Work Students will be required to make a flip book using construction paper that will include vocabulary, definition, and picture. FOR THURSDAY