4/25/2017 Lesson 1-1 Nature of Science

an organized process for investigating the world around us 4/25/2017 What is Science? What do we “DO” When we’re performing science ? (share ideas) QUESTIONS Communicate Observe Define scope of a Problem Form a testable Question Research the known Clarify an expected Result Examine Results Perform Experiments (repeat to verify) Reflect on Findings an organized process for investigating the world around us

Branches of Science Life biology Earth geology Physical chemistry

Scale Microscopic Macroscopic Global too small to see with your eyes Can see with your eyes Global Too big to see with your eyes

Types of Scientific Knowledge Observations (empirical data) anything you can see, hear, taste, touch, or smell Qualitative = description without numbers Quantitative = description using measurements and numbers Inferences: ideas, intuition, understanding - based on data Hypothesis: A testable “If, Then, Because” prediction Theory A scientific theory represents a hypothesis, or a group of related hypotheses, which has been confirmed through repeated experimental tests, and best explains all data and predicts future activities. A well substantiated explanation which best explains the scientific data. Scientific Law Description of how natural phenomenon will occur under certain circumstances

An Experiment: Testing the Hypothesis Problem – a question to answer or problem to solve A “Hypothesis” an “If, Then, Because” prediction of future events Based on existing knowledge and observations Which can be tested in an experiment An “Experimental Control” the situation as you originally observed it Manipulated Variable(s) is (are) absent or at lowest level Compare results from treatment groups One or more variables or treatments (changes to the control situation) Manipulated – what is changed by the scientist – independent variable Response – what is measured – dependent variable Constants – conditions that stay the same each time the experiment is tried Uncontrolled – conditions that cannot be controlled A Well Planned Experiment Has Two Possible Outcomes Hypothesis Supported Hypothesis Rejected

Reporting Scientific Experiments: The Scientific Method When reporting the results of an experiment, we follow the guidelines of the “Scientific Method” Scientific Method - PHERC Problem Hypothesis Experiment Results Conclusion What are some benefits of writing reports arranged in this sequence?

Scientific Process Diagram from “An Activity Model for Scientific Inquiry” William Harwood, The Science Teacher Vol. 71, No. 1, Pg. 44- 46, January 2004