The Nature of Science What the heck is this Science-Thing?

What do You think Science is? Use 3-5 minutes to think, then write at least 5 ideas on the topic...What is Science? In your group, discuss any common ideas you have about Science. Be ready to share your thoughts.

Discussion Time!

Physical Science Dirty 12 qualitative data quantitative data hypothesis independent variable (manipulated) dependent variable (responding) control (controlled group) nonlinear relationship linear relationship variable prediction precision accuracy

An objective, logical method of thinking about the natural world and everything in it. A study of the problems or situations of the natural world using scientific processes. A process for producing knowledge. Don’t worry...There’s more! Science is...

Consistent. Results of tests will be reasonably similar using the same procedures. Observable. Events must be observable using the five senses and/or their extensions. Natural. Natural causes must be used to explain how or why naturally occurring events happen. Predictable. Causes of natural events can be used to make predictions. Testable. Causes of natural events must be testable through controlled experiments. Tentative. Scientific theories can be revised and corrected as new knowledge is learned. Science is... CONPTT

Based on proof, belief, or authority. Decided by debate or law. Fair or Democratic A search for Truth. An -ology (Microbiology). These are branches of scientific study. Absolute Science is not...

What’s there? or What is it? How does it work? How did it come to be this way? There are variations of these questions. Science has Three Essential Questions

The How-to Part of Science The Scientific Method

A logical way of testing the questions of Science. Many variations, but all based on one framework: 1. SIX-state the problem 2. GREAT-gather info 3.FARMERS-form hypothesis 4.PLANT-perform experiment 5. ALL-analyze data 6.DAY-draw conclusions The Scientific Method

The Scientific Method, Step-by-Step

Scientists are curious people, they like to ask questions Scientific questions arise from observations The questions define the purpose of the experiment The Scientific Method Step 1: Ask a Scientific Question/ observations “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” -Albert Einstein

Can be quantitative – measured (numbers) Can be qualitative - observation The Scientific Method Step 1: State the problem- Observation Which line is longer? Qualitatively, the one on the left is longer. Quantitatively, the lines are equal length!

Find information about the topic. Library - Books, Journals, magazines Internet - Be careful! not all information is factual or complete The Scientific Method Step 2: Gather Info

Hypothesis is a tentative statement about what you think will happen It must be testable and repeatable One form: If, then statement. If ___________, then _______ will happen The Scientific Method Step 3: Form Hypothesis If I fertilize my tomato plants, then the tomatoes will be larger.

Scientific Method: Step 4: Perform Experiment Procedure: 1.Measure 19 mL of red water in test tube A 2. Into test tube C measure 18 mL of yellow water 3.Into test tube E measure 18 mL of blue water 4.From test tube C measure 4 mL and pour the 4 mL of water into test tube D 5. From test tube E measure 7 mL and add it to test tube D. Mix 6. From the beaker of blue water measure 4 mL and pour it into test tube F. Then from the beaker of red water measure 7 mL and add it to test tube F. Mix 7. From test tube A measure 8 mL of water and pour it into test tube B. From test tube C measure 3 mL and add it to test tube B. Mix

Independent Variable: the variable you are testing in an experiment. Also called the Manipulated Variable. Dependent Variable: the factor you measure during an experiment. Also called the Responding Variable. Control: the part of the experiment that is kept constant and is not tested. “Independent variable causes a change in the dependant variable.” Variables in an Experiment

The Story so far... I like to grow tomatoes. They’re yummy. My neighbor has larger tomatoes than I do. I saw him applying something to his plants. Research tells me it might be fertilizer. If I apply fertilizer to my tomatoes, then I will have larger fruit. I will apply different rates of fertilizer to my tomato plants and weigh the fruit when it is ripe. I will also leave five plants with no fertilizer. Your task: Locate and identify the following parts of the Scientific Method in this story: Observation, Research, Hypothesis, Experiment, Independent Variable, Dependent Variable, and Control

It is important to conduct multiple trials, or repeats, of an experiment- at least THREE times Drawing graphs helps to interpret the data. Some graphing methods are bar graphs, line graphs, and circle graphs The Scientific Method Step 5: Analyze data

Independent variables are always on the x-axis. Dependent variables are always on the y-axis. Graphing Example

Was your hypothesis supported by your experiment? There are only two possible answers: Your hypothesis was rejected (a negative answer) Your hypothesis was not rejected (a positive answer) The Scientific Method Step 6: Draw Conclusions