Introduction To Science Fresh. Science ‘06

What is SCIENCE? Writing prompt: In your composition book, write 3 to 5 lines about what you think science is. Writing prompt: In your composition book, write 3 to 5 lines about what you think science is.

Branches of Science What are some different branches of science? What are some different branches of science? Physics Physics Biology Biology Chemistry Chemistry Psychology? Psychology? What is different about psychology?

Branches of Science Psychology is sometimes referred to as a soft science. Do you think it is really a science? Well, here’s how we classify science…

CONPTT C - Consistent C - Consistent O - Observable O - Observable N - Natural N - Natural P - Predictable P - Predictable T - Testable T - Testable T - Tentative T - Tentative

So what about psychology? Is it… Is it… C - Consistent C - Consistent O - Observable O - Observable N - Natural N - Natural P - Predictable P - Predictable T - Testable T - Testable T - Tentative T - Tentative YESorNO

Important parts and Key Terms Scientific Theory & Scientific Law Scientific Theory & Scientific Law What’s the difference? What’s the difference? Theory – A widely accepted explanation of a natural occurrence based on well tested hypotheses Theory – A widely accepted explanation of a natural occurrence based on well tested hypotheses Law – A general statement about the relationship of natural quantities that has been proven true, or better yet, proven NOT FALSE Law – A general statement about the relationship of natural quantities that has been proven true, or better yet, proven NOT FALSE

Important parts and Key Terms Scientific Theory & Hypothesis Scientific Theory & Hypothesis What’s the difference? What’s the difference? Hypothesis – A testable statement of an observation or experimental result that is not fully tested or accepted as fact Hypothesis – A testable statement of an observation or experimental result that is not fully tested or accepted as fact Theory – A widely accepted explanation of a natural occurrence based on well tested hypotheses Theory – A widely accepted explanation of a natural occurrence based on well tested hypotheses

Important parts and Key Terms Is this a good hypothesis? Is this a good hypothesis? Plants given Miracle Gro will grow faster than plants not given Miracle Gro Plants given Miracle Gro will grow faster than plants not given Miracle Gro Is it testable? Is it testable? Is it a prediction? Is it a prediction? YES, it is a good hypothesis YES, it is a good hypothesis

Important parts and Key Terms IMPORTANT!!!! IMPORTANT!!!! Hypothesis are NEVER true or false!!! Hypothesis are NEVER true or false!!! They are just predictions, educated guesses, reasonable explanations, that can be tested They are just predictions, educated guesses, reasonable explanations, that can be tested

Experiments Who has ever done a science fair experiment? Who has ever done a science fair experiment? What are the important parts? What are the important parts? Control or control group Control or control group Experimental group Experimental group Variables Variables Independent Independent Dependent Dependent

Experiments Control or control group, what is it? Control or control group, what is it? The group that remains constant, unchanged The group that remains constant, unchanged It is the STANDARD that the experimental groups are compared to It is the STANDARD that the experimental groups are compared to Experimental group, what is it Experimental group, what is it The group that has some changed variable The group that has some changed variable

Experiments Variables Independent Independent The variable that YOU CHANGE The variable that YOU CHANGE Dependant Dependant The variable that you OBSERVE AND MEASURE The variable that you OBSERVE AND MEASURE Why is it a good idea to only change ONE variable during an experiment??? Why is it a good idea to only change ONE variable during an experiment???

Experiments Back to are Miracle Gro experiment… 2 groups 2 groups Plants just fed water Plants just fed water Plants fed with Miracle Gro Plants fed with Miracle Gro Which is the control group? Which is the control group? Which is the experimental group? Which is the experimental group? - CONTROL - EXPERIMENTAL

Experiments Back to are Miracle Gro experiment… Data: Data: What is the Independent Variable? What is the Independent Variable? Adding Miracle Gro Adding Miracle Gro What is the Dependant Variable? What is the Dependant Variable? Difference in plant height Difference in plant heightControlExperimental Day 1 8 cm 7 cm Day 2 10 cm 8 cm Day 3 12 cm 9 cm

Experiments Let’s try our own! Let’s try our own!