WHAT IS SCIENCE?

Evidence = Facts, Data Scientific explanations are based on data collected during experiments

Every new discovery leads to more research Even accepted theories are reevaluated and researched Sometimes new research supports the theory…other times it does not What do you think happens when a scientist discovers new information that the theory cannot explain???

Observations and data not consistent with a theory are NOT just thrown out or “swept under the rug”… If something does not fit current understanding, then scientists research it further Theories can be modified or thrown out, but never proven true

Scientists constantly challenge accepted theories by looking for new information that the theories cannot explain Scientists also challenge and debate each other’s ideas

Scientists use standard experimental procedures, i.e. the scientific process Again, they have A LOT of data to back up their claims They draw conclusions on evidence alone No bias, no opinion Objective!

Have you ever edited a classmate’s paper? Scientists do the same thing. They edit other each other’s work. Peer review ensures that: Scientific method was used correctly The experiment is repeatable Data is accurate No bias or opinion If a scientist’s work is approved by peers, then it can be published in a scientific journal

Remember that scientists: Check each other’s work Repeat experiments looking for new information to explore The metric system is common scale, every scientist uses it. Since everyone uses it, they can easily check each other’s work by repeating experiments

SI Units International System of Units In a science class you will NEVER see feet, miles, inches, Fahrenheit, Ounces, Pounds. A Scientist will instead use meters, Celsius, Grams, and Liters

How do I know which one to use If you are measuring: Time: Seconds Mass: Gram Volume: Liter Length: Meter

Metric Prefixes

What do you mean there are different kinds of data? Data collected is classified into one of two forms QUALitative data: Describes the characteristics of the object (Example: Color, Texture, Smell) QUANtitative data: Describes the numbers of the object (Example: Height, Area, Volume, Weight)

Practice: The worm is 13 cm long The sky is blue The type of plant The bird is 4 years old The plant has 7 flowers The nest has 2 eggs The nest has robin eggs The senior class is responsible The senior class has 472 students The coffee is hot The coffee is 62°C The cow is brown The cow has 4 brown spots

Science vs. Pseudoscience

Characteristics of Science Studies the natural world Relies on large amounts of data to arrive at conclusions Constantly reevaluated to see if similar results are obtained Scientists question results and are open to debates Challenges accepted theories Unbiased Undergoes peer review

Characteristics of Pseudoscience Concerns the natural world Driven by cultural or commercial goals Research is conducted to prove that something is right. Biased! Discards observations that are not consistent with beliefs

Characteristics of Both  Both make claims about the world.  Both gather data to make claims.

Examples of Pseudoscience 1. Astronomy and Space Sciences a millenarianism b. Astrology c. Lunar effect 2. Earth and Earth Sciences a. The Bermuda Triangle 3. Energy a. Perpetual motion

More Examples 4. Psychology a. Attachment therapy b. Parapsychology c. Phrenology d. Polygraphy e. Subliminal advertising 5. Health and Medicine a. Eugenics b. Biorhythms c. Body memory d. Magnet therapy E. rumpology

Even More Examples 6. Paranormal a. Cryptozoology b. Extra-sensory perception (ESP) c. Ghost hunting d. Ufology