1. The Nature of Science 1) Scientific knowledge is TENTATIVE.
The Nature of Science refers to the way
scientific knowledge is developed.
This is a general definition
A better description of the way scientific knowledge is developed is……
1) Scientific knowledge is TENTATIVE.
Tentative means “subject to change”
Sometimes scientific knowledge changes
Examples:

2. Think, Pair, Share
Please name one thing in your life that is tentative.

3. The Nature of Science ??? Observation vs. Inference ???
2) Scientific knowledge is EMPIRICALLY-BASED.
1) Scientific knowledge is TENTATIVE.
Empirical Based means…
…based on experiment, experimental data.
…based on observations and inferences.
Scientific knowledge is developed by making inferences after collecting data, from experiments and observations.
??? Observation vs. Inference ???

4. The Nature of Science ??? Observation vs. Inference ???
What is an observation?
How are observations made?
An OBSERVATION is information collected with the senses.
What is an INFERENCE?
An INFERENCE explains observations.
practice

5. Think, Pair, Share
Please make one observation and one inference about something/someone in the room. BE CAREFUL NOT TO OFFEND

6. The Nature of Science 2) Scientific knowledge is EMPIRICALLY-BASED.
3) Scientific knowledge is SUBJECTIVE.
1) Scientific knowledge is TENTATIVE.
Subjective means “based on an individuals own
thoughts and experiences”
Examples:
Who is tall?
What is “Good Music”?

7. Think, Pair, Share
Please describe one fact that you know is based upon data/evidence.

8. The Nature of Science
4) Scientific knowledge is built up by creativity and imagination.
3) Scientific knowledge is SUBJECTIVE.
2) Scientific knowledge is EMPIRICALLY-BASED.
1) Scientific knowledge is TENTATIVE.
Scientist use their creativity and imagination
to study and understand natural phenomena and to solve the problems.
Discuss with your lab partner 2 instances where you had to be creative to solve a problem.

9. The Nature of Science
4) Scientific knowledge is built up by creativity and imagination.
3) Scientific knowledge is SUBJECTIVE.
5) Scientific knowledge is Socially and Culturally embedded.
2) Scientific knowledge is EMPIRICALLY-BASED.
1) Scientific knowledge is TENTATIVE.
Scientists are influenced by their societal and cultural values. Society rules and cultural rules often dictate what type of science is acceptable.
Stem Cell Research: Is it right or wrong?
Examples:
Prescription medicine vs. natural treatment
Western Medicine vs. Eastern Medicine

10. Think, Pair, Share List 2 morals/values that you find important.
Do you feel others should follow these morals/values? Explain.
Are there situations where there can be an exception to following the morals/values?

11. The Nature of Science Categories of Scientific knowledge:
Observations/Data/Inferences,
Hypothesis,
Theory,
Law.
Social & Cultural Context.
Relationship of the categories of Scientific knowledge:
Social & Cultural Context
Theory,
Law
Hypothesis,
Observations/Data/Inferences,

12. The Nature of Science Scientific Law vs. Scientific Theory
What is the difference?
Scientific Laws
Scientific Theories
Boyle’s Law
Kinetic Molecular Theory
Mendel’s Laws of Inheritance
Chromosome Theory
Newton’s Laws of Motion
Quantum Theory

13. Think, Pair, Share
Please name one scientific law, and one scientific theory.

14. The Nature of Science Scientific Law vs. Scientific Theory
Scientific Laws:
State, identify, or describe
relationships among
observable phenomena.
Based on observations
Scientific Theories:
Inferred explanation for
observable phenomena.
Based on inferences

15. Observations/Measurements
Scientific Method(s)
Curiosity
General Format
Observations/Measurements
Model
Hypothesis
Testing/Experiments
inconsistent
results
Results
consistent results
Theory
Law

16. Review
Read the following sentences, underline the observation and circle the inference.
The dinosaurs were fighting because all the fossilized footprints were jumbled up together.
The sky was changing colors from dark to light because the sun is rising.
Jenny’s mom burned dinner downstairs and Jenny could hear the smoke detector upstairs.
The kitchen is warmer than inside the freezer so Emmanuel Lewis’s ice cubes were melting on the counter.

17. Review Answers
The dinosaurs were fighting because all the fossilized footprints were jumbled up together.
The sky was changing colors from dark to light because the sun is rising.
Jenny’s mom burned dinner downstairs and Jenny could hear the smoke detector upstairs.

18. The kitchen is warmer than inside the freezer so Emmanuel Lewis’s ice cubes were melting on the counter.

19. The
End