What is science?

ScienceScience is… process of thinking, observing, & studying our world by using the scientific method to gain knowledge, answer questions, & solve problems! Experiments = Evidence!

Questions to Consider!  Will science provide answers to all our questions? Why?  What is science limited by?

Question Activity  One question that can be answered by biology/science? &  One question that can not be answered by biology/science?

Steps of the Scientific Method 1. Identify a Problem 2. Gathering Information 3. Make a Hypothesis 4. Perform an Experiment 5. Analyze results 6. Draw Conclusions 7. Repeat & Communicate

Example: Fish are dying in a pond. We investigate the pond & find it is near a housing development, highway, and a farm. We predict that fertilizer from the lawns of the houses & the farm is washing into the pond and killing the fish. How could we design an experiment to test this?

How could we test these questions? Does cigarette smoking increases the risk of lung cancer? Can eating breakfast increases performance in school? How could we raise school spirit? What would your hypothesis be?

 Perform an experiment Controlled Planned out  Procedure Collect Data (observations) to try and back up your hypothesis.

Procedure Activity  Notes Card Draw a simple picture on one side of the note card. On the other side, write a procedure to explain to someone else how to draw the same exact picture.  Pair Up Using the procedure only, see if your partner can draw your picture. Hint: don’t tell them what it is!

Steps of the Scientific Method 1. Identify a Problem 2. Gathering Information 3. Make a Hypothesis 4. Perform an Experiment 5. Analyze results 6. Draw Conclusions 7. Repeat & Communicate

Scientific Method  Analyze the Data What does the data mean? Identify relationships

Analyze Q: What does this data say? A: As temperature increases, dissolved oxygen decreases Temperature ( 0 C) Dissolved Oxygen (ppm)

Scientific Method  Draw conclusions My data did support my hypothesis that… Or… My data did not support my hypothesis that…

What would your conclusion be? Hypothesis  If maintenance increases the number of recycling cans in the lunch room, then the amount of trash will decrease. Data: # of recycling cansAmount of trash (tons)

 Repeat Repeat ◦ Why would this be important?

Controlled Experiment!  Variable Any factor that can change Only want to change one factor at a time! Why? Constants: variables you keep the same Independent vs. Dependent Control Group  Collect Data Qualitative vs. Quantitative

You want to know what color flowers butterflies like best. You choose an area you know is naturally inhabited by butterflies. You plant 6 rows of flowers, each row a different color of the same type of flower. Twice a day, each day (morning & evening) you add up the number of butterflies found on each different color of flowers.  What is your independent variable?  What is your dependent variable?  What are your constants?

Results of Science  Scientific Theory explanation that has been supported by many experiments ○ Makes Predictions ○ Has lots of evidence to support those predictions ○ Is constantly being tested!