The Scientific Method …and the Nature of Science 7 th Grade Science

What is science? Science is the total collection of knowledge gained by observation of the physical universe. Science is the total collection of knowledge gained by observation of the physical universe. It tries to answer the questions "how" and "why." It tries to answer the questions "how" and "why." It is a logical way of problem solving. It is a logical way of problem solving. It is basically common sense. It is basically common sense.

Why Should I Care About Science? First, a Good Brain. A workable knowledge of science means you can think, decide, and judge the reality around you, whatever or wherever that may be. First, a Good Brain. A workable knowledge of science means you can think, decide, and judge the reality around you, whatever or wherever that may be. Second, Money. Scientists make more money than any other common profession, on a reliable basis. In essence, if you have a college degree in a science, you’re gonna have a good job. Second, Money. Scientists make more money than any other common profession, on a reliable basis. In essence, if you have a college degree in a science, you’re gonna have a good job. Third, Power. Knowledge is power. Third, Power. Knowledge is power.

The Scientific World View The world is understandable - truth exists, we just have to find it! Scientific theories are subject to change, and that’s totally cool. Science cannot provide answers to all questions. Why not?

Characteristics of Science Science is a process Scientific theories must be able to predict Scientific experiments must be repeatable Confidence in theories is not absolute

The Limitations of Science Cannot make value judgments. Cannot make value judgments. Cannot prove something doesn't exist (universal negative, or, the god question). Cannot prove something doesn't exist (universal negative, or, the god question). Scientific investigation is as limited as the instruments we use. Scientific investigation is as limited as the instruments we use.

Inductive and Deductive Approaches Inductive Approach Inductive Approach Collect information, then create a theory to explain it (a theory about what’s going on) Collect information, then create a theory to explain it (a theory about what’s going on) Use experiments or observations to make predictions about the future Use experiments or observations to make predictions about the future Induction comes from “induce”, which means to cause to be, or to create Induction comes from “induce”, which means to cause to be, or to create Used by scientists trying to discover or explain phenomena that are occurring now, or may occur in the future Used by scientists trying to discover or explain phenomena that are occurring now, or may occur in the future

Inductive and Deductive Approaches Deductive Approach Deductive Approach Use observations to create an explanation about past events or observed phenomena (stuff that already happened) Use observations to create an explanation about past events or observed phenomena (stuff that already happened) Take your information and make a Post- diction that can be tested with experiments Take your information and make a Post- diction that can be tested with experiments Used by Police, CSI specialists, archaeologists, geologists, astronomers… Used by Police, CSI specialists, archaeologists, geologists, astronomers…

Scientific Vocabulary Facts - things that are observable and indisputable. Facts - things that are observable and indisputable. Data - any piece of information; usually gained through experimentation. Data - any piece of information; usually gained through experimentation. Theories - explanations usually based on evidence (may be wrong). Theories - explanations usually based on evidence (may be wrong). Laws - statements that describe patterns in nature with no known exceptions. Laws - statements that describe patterns in nature with no known exceptions. Models - man-made ideas to help us visualize scientific concepts. Models - man-made ideas to help us visualize scientific concepts.

Theory vs. Law? The difference between a theory and a law is not one of "truth" or how confident we feel about an idea. Theories don't become Laws by being proven. A Law is a kind of Fact, it's an observation that appears to be universally true everywhere we look. A Law is usually a single statement, often an equation. A Theory is an explanation of Facts. A Theory can include a large set of statements, which grow as the Theory is expanded and improved, often by making more observations and conducting more experiments. It explains a Fact, but it cannot become a Fact.

Hypothesis In science, a hypothesis is an idea or explanation that you then test through study and experimentation. In science, a hypothesis is an idea or explanation that you then test through study and experimentation. A hypothesis is NOT an educated guess. It’s an explanation offered in an attempt to understand a phenomenon. A hypothesis is NOT an educated guess. It’s an explanation offered in an attempt to understand a phenomenon. There is no guessing in science! There is no guessing in science! By the way, there is no crying in science either! (this is not related to anything we’re talking about, I just like saying that) By the way, there is no crying in science either! (this is not related to anything we’re talking about, I just like saying that)

Steps of the Scientific Process or Method

The Scientific Method (quick & dirty) Observe the situation Observe the situation Ask a question Ask a question Turn that question into a testable idea Turn that question into a testable idea Predict the outcome of your experiment Predict the outcome of your experiment Perform your experiment Perform your experiment Analyze the results Analyze the results Evaluate your idea or hypothesis Evaluate your idea or hypothesis

Introduction to the Scientific Process Identify a problem Gather Information Formulate a hypothesis Design and Experiment Record and Organize Data Analyze Data Draw Conclusions Use conclusions to develop a new hypothesis

Systems of Measurement English System of Measurement: is the one you use commonly, and includes pounds, feet, and gallons. English System of Measurement: is the one you use commonly, and includes pounds, feet, and gallons. International System of Measurement or SI: is called the metric system in the US. It’s based on units of ten, and all science measurements use this system. International System of Measurement or SI: is called the metric system in the US. It’s based on units of ten, and all science measurements use this system. Know these SI units: Know these SI units: Meter - unit of length (about a yard) Meter - unit of length (about a yard) Kilogram - unit of mass (about ½ a pound) Kilogram - unit of mass (about ½ a pound) Liter - unit of volume (about a quart) Liter - unit of volume (about a quart) Celsius Degrees – unit of temperature (about ½ degree F°) Celsius Degrees – unit of temperature (about ½ degree F°) Second - unit of time (same unit in metric) Second - unit of time (same unit in metric)

Metric is a Decimal System Prefixes are used to expand the basic metric system. Latin prefixes identify descending values deci= centi= milli= Greek prefixes identify ascending values. 1. deka= 102. hecto= kilo= 1000

Basic Units of the Metric System Length/Distance is expressed in meters (m) Mass is expressed in grams (g) Volume is expressed in liters (L)

It’s All Greek to Me! Mono - 1 Mono - 1 Duo/Di - 2 Duo/Di - 2 Tri - 3 Tri - 3 Tetra - 4 Tetra - 4 Penta - 5 Penta - 5 Hex/Hexa - 6 Hex/Hexa - 6 Hepta - 7 Hepta - 7 Octa - 8 Octa - 8 Deca - 10 Deca - 10 Hecaton 100 Hecaton 100

Friends, Romans, Countrymen! 1 - una 1 - una 2 - duo 2 - duo 3 - tres, tria 3 - tres, tria 4 - quattuor 4 - quattuor 5 - quinque 5 - quinque 6 - sex 6 - sex 7 - septem7 - septem 8 - octo8 - octo 9 - novem9 - novem 10 - decem10 - decem centum100 - centum mille mille

One More Thing… Roman Numerals Roman Numerals I1 I1 II2 II2 III3 III3 IV4 IV4 V5 V5 VI6 VI6 VII7 VII7 VIII8 VIII8 IX9 IX9 X10 X10 XI11 XI11 XII12 XII12 XIII13 XIII13 XIV14 XIV14 XV15 XV15