Unit 1: Science, Technology and Engineering Lesson 1: “What is Science” Pg. 4-13

What is a Scientist? What comes to mind when you hear the word scientist? Take out a piece of scratch paper. In the next 5 minutes draw a picture of the “typical” scientist. At the bottom of your drawing, include words or phrases that you think describe what typical scientists do.

What is Science? Based upon our drawings what are some things you know scientists do?

– Ask questions – Perform experiments – Collect data

Where might scientists work?

– Hospitals – Laboratories – Schools

Essential Question By the end of this lesson, you will be able to answer the previous questions as well as tell me – How is science different from other forms of study?

Engage Please take 5 to 10 minutes to answer questions 1, 2, and 3 on pg. 5

Predict True or False: Science can determine what book you will enjoy

– False

True or False: Scientists can often be creative when designing experiments.

– True

True or False: Because they are so well educated, scientists do not need to make many observations before coming to a conclusion.

– False

True or False: Scientific results can be proven incorrect.

– True

Contrast The pottery in the photo on pg. 5 is known for its unique appearance. This is partly because of the glaze used on it. What is one question a scientist might ask about this pottery and one question a nonscientist might ask?

Example Questions – Scientist: “What gives the glaze its unique shine?” – Nonscientist: “Would this pottery go well with the furniture in my home?”

Explore Now please read pages 6-13 on your own. Be sure to answer questions 5-17 as you are reading.

What does Science Study? Can someone please define the term science?

What does Science Study? Science is the systematic study of natural events and conditions. It is a logical, structured way of thinking about the world.

The Natural World What subjects can be studied by science?

The Natural World What subjects can be studied by science? – Biology (Life Science): the study of all living things – Geology (Earth Science): studies Earth’s materials and processes – Astronomy: study of objects in outer space – Physical Science: study of energy and all nonliving matter, includes physics and chemistry Are all of these branches unique?

The Natural World NO! The branches of science often overlap.

Testable Ideas Can I have three volunteers read one of their responses to question 6 on pg. 6 and tell me if the question can be answered scientifically.

Testable Ideas How are scientific questions different from other types of questions?

Testable Ideas ** They can be proven wrong! Results of scientific questions can be measured and compared

Testable Ideas Lets go through a few examples and determine if the questions are scientific or unscientific. – 1) What does the inside of Earth look like? – 2) Will I make the sports team? – 3) How hot is the sun?

Testable Ideas Lets go through a few examples and determine if the questions are scientific or unscientific. – 1) What does the inside of Earth look like?

Testable Ideas Lets go through a few examples and determine if the questions are scientific or unscientific. – 1) What does the inside of Earth look like? Scientific

Testable Ideas Lets go through a few examples and determine if the questions are scientific or unscientific. 2) Will I make the sports team?

Testable Ideas Lets go through a few examples and determine if the questions are scientific or unscientific. – 2) Will I make the sports team?

Testable Ideas Lets go through a few examples and determine if the questions are scientific or unscientific. – 2) Will I make the sports team? Unscientific

Testable Ideas Lets go through a few examples and determine if the questions are scientific or unscientific. – 3) How hot is the sun?

Testable Ideas Lets go through a few examples and determine if the questions are scientific or unscientific. – 3) How hot is the sun? Scientific

Testable Ideas Let’s take another look at question 2. – Will I make the team? Can we rewrite this question so that it is testable and, therefore, scientific?

Testable Ideas Let’s take another look at question 2. – Will I make the team? Can we rewrite this question so that it is testable and, therefore, scientific? YES! Instead we can write… – Will I make the team if I do all of my exercises?

What is a Scientific Explanation? A scientific question describes a natural process, and relies heavily on evidence from direct observation and testing. What is empirical evidence?

What is a Scientific Explanation? Empirical evidence is evidence gained from observation. It includes observations, measurements, and other types of data scientists gather. Personal feelings and opinions are NOT empirical evidence. Scientists must disclose all information supporting a scientific explanation. Furthermore, if one scientist does an experiment, another should be able to conduct the same experiment and get the same result for the explanation to be strong.

How is a Scientific Explanation Evaluated? After learning a scientific explanation describing a particular problem or phenomena, scientists evaluate the explanation using a series of steps. – 1) Look at all empirical evidence supporting the explanation, including past experiences – 2) Consider if the explanation is logical. Does it contradict anything you know? – 3) Think of other experiments to support ideas – 4) Evaluate the explanation. Has it stood up to logic and testing?

How is a Scientific Explanation Evaluated? Let’s discuss your answers to the scientific explanation of how popcorn pops on pg. 9 of your books.

How do Scientists Show Creativity? Although scientists rely on observations and practice logical thinking, they can be creative in designing experiments and drawing explanations from them.

In Designing Experiments On pg. 10, you read about a method enviornmental scientists used to detect harmful substances in drinking water. How does this example illustrate creativity in designing experiments?

In Designing Experiments How does this example illustrate creativity in designing experiments? – This example illustrates a new and original way to detect contaminants in water without putting people in danger.

In Explaining Observations Creative minds can put old evidence together in new ways. New explanations are as important as new observations. What did Isaac Newton witness that many had seen before and how did he explain it in a new, creative way?

In Explaining Observations Newton took the falling of an apple and used it to explain gravity in a way that many could understand. He did this by comparing the apple being pulled to Earth to the moon being pulled to the Earth.