1. Introduction to Life Science
Ms. Edwards

2. What is Science?
A way of learning about the natural world

3. 5 Skills that Scientists Use
1. Observing- using your senses to gather information
a. QuanTitative- deals with numbers (ex. You have 8 new s in your inbox)
b. QuaLitative- deals with descriptions that can’t be expressed in numbers (ex. The grapes are sour)

4. 5 Skills that Scientists Use
2. Inferring- Explaining or interpreting the things you observe. What has happened.
Example: You see a friend smile when she gets her test paper back, so you infer that she made a good grade.

5. 5 Skills that Scientists Use
3. Predicting- making a forecast of what will happen in the future based on past experience. What will happen.
Example: You predict that the basketball team will win the game
because they have always beaten the team they are playing in the past.

6. 5 Skills that Scientists Use
4. Classifying- the process of grouping together items that are alike in some way.
Example: Sorting laundry in your drawers (one drawer for socks, one for shirts)

7. 5 Skills that Scientists Use
5. Making Models- involves creating representations of complex objects or processes
Example: Globes, maps, etc

8. Making Models
- Thinking Like a Scientist
Making models involves creating representations of complex objects or processes. This model traces a chimp’s journey through the forest.

9. What is Life Science? Life Science- the study of living things
“Bio”= life
“ology”= to study

10. Scientific Inquiry
The diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence they gather is called scientific inquiry.
Also called the scientific process or scientific method.

11. Scientific Inquiry Steps in the scientific process:
1. Posing Questions
ex: What influences how crickets chirp?
2. Developing a Hypothesis
ex: I hypothesize that crickets chirp more at higher temps.
***Hypothesis must be testable! ***

12. Scientific Inquiry Steps in the scientific process:
3. Designing an experiment
a. Variables- factors that can change in an experiment (kind of crickets, type of container, etc.)
b. Controlled Experiment- one variable is manipulated at a time (kind of cricket, type of container, etc.)

13. Scientific Inquiry
c. Manipulated Variable- the variable that is purposely changed to test the hypothesis (the temperature).
d. Responding Variable- the factor that may change in response to the manipulated variable (the amount of chirping).
e. Operational Definition- statement that describes how to measure a variable (what sound counts as a single chirp?)

14. Scientific Inquiry 4. Collecting and Interpreting Data
Data are facts, figures, and other evidence gathered through observations

15. Collecting and Interpreting Data
- Scientific Inquiry
A data table helps you organize the information you collect in an experiment. Graphing the data may reveal any patterns in your data.

16. Scientific Inquiry 5. Drawing Conclusions
Summary of what you learned- do you need to repeat something?  

17. Scientific Inquiry 6. Communicating
Sharing your results with other scientists so they can try to repeat them.

19. Characteristics of Scientists
To be successful, scientists must possess certain characteristics:
1. Curiosity
2. Honesty
3. Open-mindedness
4. Skepticism
5. Creativity

20. Using Technology
Technology- how people change the world around them to meet their needs and solve practical problems
 The goal of technology is to improve the way people live.
How can technology impact society? Can have positive and negative consequences for society as a whole.

21. How Does Technology Relate to Science?
- Understanding Technology
How Does Technology Relate to Science?
Science is the study of the natural world to understand how it functions. Technology, on the other hand, changes, or modifies, the natural world to meet human needs or to solve problems. For example, understanding the physics of light (science) led to the development of optical fibers and endoscopes (technology).

22. How Technology Progresses
- Understanding Technology
Technology, such as writing or word-processing technology, is always changing. Technology progresses as people’s knowledge increases and as new needs can be satisfied.

23. Graphic Organizer Study of the natural world
Science
Technology
Study of the natural world
Changing the natural world
Rely on each other
To understand how it functions
To meet human needs and solve problems

24. Lab Safety When should lab preparation begin? The day before lab!
Safety Goggles
Wear Aprons
Heat-resistant gloves
Clean and neat desk
Store cords
Close-toed shoes
Treat animals with care
Tie back long hair
Plastic Gloves
No food or gum

25. Safety Symbols

26. Lab Safety Most important safety guidelines: Follow all directions !!!
(What you are actually told, not your interpretation of what you are told.)
If you’re not sure, ASK!!
Read directions before asking, “What are we supposed to do?”
NO HORSEPLAY---EVER !!!

27. Lab Safety What does “in the field” mean? Going outside!
What should you do in case of an emergency?
Notify the teacher immediately and follow his or her directions.

28. Lab Tools
For Specimens
Petri dish & lid
Slide & coverslip

29. SO…… What‘s the difference?
For Liquids
Lab Tools
Measuring
ONLY
SO…… What‘s the difference?
Beakers
Mixing, observing, experimenting. NOT measuring.
Test tubes
Graduated
cylinder
Flasks

30. Lab Tools For Measuring Ruler– measures length
Cylinders & Pipets– measure volume
Balance– measures mass

31. Lab Tools For Dissection forceps Tray Sharp probe Scissors Blunt probe
Pins