What is Science? Goal of Science  Goal of Science  –  to investigate and understand the natural world –  to explain events in the natural world –  to use those explanations to make useful predictions. Science – an organized way of using evidence to learn about the natural world Science – an organized way of using evidence to learn about the natural world –Use the Scientific Method of solving problems

Scientific Method An organized way of trying to find the solution to a problem.

Scientific Method of Solving Problems 1. Observation 2. Problem 3. Hypothesis 4. Procedure 5. Data 6. Analysis 7. Conclusion

Thinking Like a Scientist The car won’t start… The car won’t start… My charger isn’t charging… My charger isn’t charging… My straightener is getting too hot… My straightener is getting too hot… What do I wear tomorrow?... What do I wear tomorrow?... Which homework do I do first?... Which homework do I do first?... Who do I ask to go to Homecoming Dance with me?... Who do I ask to go to Homecoming Dance with me?... Scientists are Skeptic  question existing and new hypotheses Scientists are Skeptic  question existing and new hypotheses Begin with an Observation Begin with an Observation

1. Observation Gather everything you have learned about your problem by observation. Use your senses  sight and hear Use your senses  sight and hear touch, smell, taste should be used with caution!touch, smell, taste should be used with caution! Think of ways you could design an experiment to solve it. Think of ways you could design an experiment to solve it. Next step is… State the Problem State the Problem

2. Problem  A problem is what you are trying to find out.  Remember to always write it in the form of a question.  Experiment should be repeatable by anyone in the science field Next step is… Form your hypothesis

3. Hypothesis A hypothesis – predicts what will happen during the experiment and as a result of the experiment Use  prior knowledge, logical assumptions, & creative imagination Use  prior knowledge, logical assumptions, & creative imagination Hypothesis must be: Hypothesis must be:  TESTABLE  TESTABLE

Hypothesis vs Inference Inference – logical explanation based on prior knowledge Inference – logical explanation based on prior knowledge –used to predict trends Hypothesis – proposed scientific explanation for a set of observations Hypothesis – proposed scientific explanation for a set of observations –used to find a solution for a problem –must be testable

Materials  List all the materials you will use Next step is… Design an Experiment

4. Procedure  A procedure lists the steps you will follow to test your hypothesis.  Always identify the 3 variables:  Independent variable  Dependent variable  Control

 Identify the independent variable that you are testing. This is the one thing that you are changing on purpose to test and see what will happen. This is the one thing that you are changing on purpose to test and see what will happen.  Identify the control variable  the thing that stays the same during the experiment.

The dependent variable is the thing that changed because of your experiment; changes in response to the different independent variables. The dependent variable is the thing that changed because of your experiment; changes in response to the different independent variables. Next step is… Collecting data

5. Data  Data are the changes which occur during the experiment.  Use your 5 senses to gather information that can be measured.  Controlling all variables makes for validity (legitimacy) of the data.  Also helps others repeat your experiment  Organize your data in charts or graphs  should be labeled and numbered Next step is… Analyzing data

Collect Data about Question Quantitative data is data that is expressed in numbers. Qualitative data is descriptive and involves characteristics that can’t usually be counted.

Quantitative vs. Qualitative Weight and Height are an example of: Weight and Height are an example of: The manatee seems healthy and alert is an example of: The manatee seems healthy and alert is an example of: Experiments must be Repeated several times using exactly the same conditions to see if the results are similar. Experiments must be Repeated several times using exactly the same conditions to see if the results are similar.

6. Analysis  An analysis uses sentences to explain your data.  Answer questions  Make calculations  Can use drawings to explain your data Next step is… Does data support or not support the hypothesis

7. Conclusions  A conclusion uses evidence from experiment to support or not support your hypothesis  Tells what you learned from the experiment.  Talk about what went wrong in the experiment

If the conclusion supports the hypothesis… If the conclusion supports the hypothesis… –  draw conclusions on how to solve the problem every time If the conclusion does not support the hypothesis… If the conclusion does not support the hypothesis… –  form a new hypothesis you can test

Scientific Method 1. Observation 2. Problem 3. Hypothesis 4. Procedure 5. Data 6. Analysis 7. Conclusion

Theory- a well tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations Supported by lots of experimenting by lots of scientists Supported by lots of experimenting by lots of scientists Science is an ongoing process that is a self-correcting way of knowing. Science is an ongoing process that is a self-correcting way of knowing. Scientists: Scientists: –Build on prior knowledge –Try to replicate the observations and experiments of others to check on their conclusions –Share information through publications, seminars, meetings, and personal communication.

Creating an Experiment Get into groups of three or four and create a controlled experiment from the observation you see below. Get into groups of three or four and create a controlled experiment from the observation you see below. Observation: ? Observation: ? Question: ? Question: ? Hypothesis: ? Hypothesis: ? Experiment: ? (Controlled) Experiment: ? (Controlled) Maybe Conclusion: ? Maybe Conclusion: ?

When Experiments Are Not Possible Field studies – If a scientist wanted to gain a better understanding of a particular organism in the wild then an experiment would be impossible. Field studies – If a scientist wanted to gain a better understanding of a particular organism in the wild then an experiment would be impossible.