1 Science!

2 Science Suppose you knew nothing about science. How would you explain how it rains? Suppose someone did not believe your explanation. Could you prove that it is right? Why or why not? Since the beginning of time, people have been trying to explain natural events. Just as you may have ideas to explain that natural event, so have others over the years.

3 Science II The goal of science is to understand the world around us. Science is derived from a Latin verb meaning to know Science is a way of acquiring knowledge  A way of knowing  The central theme to this methodology is the testing of hypotheses--The Scientific Method

4 Biology Biology is the study of life.  Describes patterns that we see in the world  Identifies a process or mechanism

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD 5

6 Historical Information The scientific method was originated by the Greek philosophers [2600 years ago]. Thales (ca 590 b.c.) is considered the founder of the scientific method.  The prime question they asked was.. "what differentiates living from non-living".

The Scientific Method Step by Step Observing and Stating a Problem Forming a hypothesis Testing the Hypothesis Recording and analyzing data Forming a conclusion Replicating the work 7

8 Problem The problem is a concise, scientific question that can be solved experimentally.  Best expressed as an “open-ended question.” Question answered with a statement and not a yes or no answer

9 Hypothesis A hypothesis is a possible explanation, conclusion, or even a guess about some event in nature. The hypothesis can reflect past experience and before selecting a final hypothesis, many should be proposed. Should be in the form of an if-then statement  Reflects deductive and inductive reasoning.  How is the if-then statement developed? Via the use of variables

10 Hypothesis III Variables There are three types of variables Independent Variable  This is the variable that you purposely change (manipulate) Experiment should have only ONE independent variable Dependent Variable  This is the variable that is being observed and changes in response to the independent variable Controlled Variable  Variables that cannot be changed

Development of Hypothesis & Title Remember, the hypothesis should be in an if-then format  If the IV does…..then the DV does…. Title of Experiment  The Effect of the IV on the DV  When graphing MIXDRY 11

12 Controlled Variable vs. The Control Remember  The controlled variable is the variable that cannot be changed A Control is a test in which the independent variable is kept constant in order to measure changes in the dependent variable.  The control is used for comparison purposes.

Testing the Hypothesis The Experiment Looking for evidence to support your hypothesis and not necessarily to prove it correct  The design of the experiment should be in a way that allows you, or other experimenters, repeat the experiment on multiple occasions. 13

Record & Analyze Data Scientist record their observations and hence create data  Charts & Graphs are used Analysis of Data  Most data analysis is done via statistics 14

15 Conclusion A conclusion is a final proposition, which is arrived at after the consideration of evidence, arguments or premisesproposition evidenceargumentspremises  DNA was discovered by Watson and Crick through the process of science Today, look at how extensive DNA is used in the world

Repeat Experiment Repeat experimental procedures. 16

FACTS & THEORIES 17

18 Facts What is a fact?  Something that can be proved though observation What are some types of facts? Is it possible for a fact to change?

19 Scientific Theory In science, an explanation or model that covers a substantial group of occurrences in nature and has been confirmed by a substantial number of experiments and observations.  It has withstood the tests of time

Define Law of conservation of mass Law of conservation of energy 20

Thought Question What do you think about this statement?  A fact and a truth are the same! 21