Section 1- The Methods of Science

What is Science Science comes from Latin word scientia… which means knowledge. Science comes from Latin word scientia… which means knowledge. What are we trying to gain knowledge about? What are we trying to gain knowledge about? Nature! Nature! What are some rules that nature follows? What are some rules that nature follows? Science is a method for studying the natural world! Science is a method for studying the natural world!

Major Categories of Science Life Science Life Science Living things Living things Earth Science Earth Science Earth and Space Earth and Space Physical Science Physical Science Deals with matter and energy. Deals with matter and energy. (CATEGORIES MAY OVERLAP) SCEINCE HELPS YOU TO UNDERSTAND THE NATURAL WORLD

Science in your daily routine… Science is used everyday by everyone… Science is used everyday by everyone… Recite your daily routine and think about all of the science that you use. Recite your daily routine and think about all of the science that you use.

Investigations To observe or study by close examination. To observe or study by close examination. What is something you investigate everyday? What is something you investigate everyday? How do you record more complicated things? How do you record more complicated things? Several Types… Several Types… Observing and recording Observing and recording Experiments Experiments Building a model and testing it to see how something acts Building a model and testing it to see how something acts any others? any others?

Scientific Methods An organized set of investigation procedures An organized set of investigation procedures Six common steps Six common steps Scientists may add or repeat steps Scientists may add or repeat steps

6 steps Stating the Problem Stating the Problem Observe natural world and ask “why?” or “how?” Observe natural world and ask “why?” or “how?” Researching and Gathering Information Researching and Gathering Information Learn as much as possible about the background of the problem. Learn as much as possible about the background of the problem. Forming a Hypothesis Forming a Hypothesis Coming up with a possible explanation. Coming up with a possible explanation. Testing a Hypothesis Testing a Hypothesis Experiments test the effects of one thing on another using controlled conditions. (Variables, Constants, and Controls.) Experiments test the effects of one thing on another using controlled conditions. (Variables, Constants, and Controls.) Analyze Data Analyze Data Interpreting results: easy to read tables and graphs. Interpreting results: easy to read tables and graphs. Draw Conclusions Draw Conclusions Is you Hypothesis supported or not. Did you guess correctly? No Bias! Is you Hypothesis supported or not. Did you guess correctly? No Bias!

Variables A factor that can cause a change in the results of an experiment. A factor that can cause a change in the results of an experiment. Ex: You might set up an experiment to determine the amount of fertilizer that will help plants grow the biggest Ex: You might set up an experiment to determine the amount of fertilizer that will help plants grow the biggest Dependent Variable- value changes according to other variables. Dependent Variable- value changes according to other variables. Amount of growth Amount of growth Independent Variable- you change this to see how it affects the dependent variable. Independent Variable- you change this to see how it affects the dependent variable. Different Fertilizers Different Fertilizers

Controls and Constants Constant- a factor that does not change when other variables do. Constant- a factor that does not change when other variables do. Using the same type of soil, same amount of water and sunlight, same temperature. Using the same type of soil, same amount of water and sunlight, same temperature. Control- the standard by which the tests results can be compared to. Control- the standard by which the tests results can be compared to. One plant would not have any fertilizer. One plant would not have any fertilizer.

Scientific Theories and Laws Theory- an explanation of things or events based on knowledge gained from many observations and investigations. Theory- an explanation of things or events based on knowledge gained from many observations and investigations. Law- a statement about what happens in nature and that seems to be true all the time. Law- a statement about what happens in nature and that seems to be true all the time.

Technology Is the application of science to help people. Is the application of science to help people. Science and technology are not interchangeable. Science and technology are not interchangeable. Ex: when a chemist develops new, lightweight material that can withstand great amounts of heat, science is used. When that material is used on a space shuttle, technology is applied. Ex: when a chemist develops new, lightweight material that can withstand great amounts of heat, science is used. When that material is used on a space shuttle, technology is applied.

Keeping Bias out of experiments A bias occurs when what the scientist expects changes how the results are viewed. A bias occurs when what the scientist expects changes how the results are viewed. This expectation might cause a scientist to select a result from one trial over another. This expectation might cause a scientist to select a result from one trial over another. A bias can be lessoned by many trials and by keeping accurate notes A bias can be lessoned by many trials and by keeping accurate notes Global Warming? Global Warming?