Unit 1: Tools of the Trade

I. What is Science? A. What is it to you? What is it to me? What is it to the text book? A. What is it to you? What is it to me? What is it to the text book?

II. The goal of science is to investigate and understand nature- Use those explanations to make useful predictions. Science only deals with the natural world Science only deals with the natural world Scientists collect and organize information in a careful, orderly way- look for patterns and connections Scientists collect and organize information in a careful, orderly way- look for patterns and connections Scientists propose explanations that can be tested by examining evidence Scientists propose explanations that can be tested by examining evidence -science also refers to the body of knowledge that has been built up -science also refers to the body of knowledge that has been built up

III. Scientific Processes A. Science Starts with an Observation- A. Science Starts with an Observation- 1. What do you think an observation is? 1. What do you think an observation is? 2. Ability to gather information using 1+ of you senses 2. Ability to gather information using 1+ of you senses 3. The information you gather is called DATA 3. The information you gather is called DATA 4. There are two types of observations: 4. There are two types of observations: a. Qualitative- Her hair is green a. Qualitative- Her hair is green b. Quantitative- She has five pencils (can’t count) b. Quantitative- She has five pencils (can’t count)

B. Then a scientist makes an Inference- 1. Based on observations the scientist uses logical interpretations based on prior knowledge and experience to make an inference 1. Based on observations the scientist uses logical interpretations based on prior knowledge and experience to make an inference i.e. From what they know they try to piece things together i.e. From what they know they try to piece things together For instance- if you find an unknown fossil with wings what would you infer about that fossil? For instance- if you find an unknown fossil with wings what would you infer about that fossil?

C. Based on observations and inferences a scientist may form a hypothesis- (Scientific Method) (Scientific Method) 1. A hypothesis is a possible explanation for a set of observations or an answer to a scientific question. 1. A hypothesis is a possible explanation for a set of observations or an answer to a scientific question. 2. Hypothesis is useful only if it can be tested 2. Hypothesis is useful only if it can be tested