1. Nature of Science

2. Science is a process by which we try to understand how the natural world works

3. Science assumes that:
The world is real. This means that the physical universe exists apart from our sensory perception of it.

4. None of this:

5. Science assumes that:
Humans can perceive the physical universe. How do we do this?

6. Science only deals with the natural world
Only things that can be directly or indirectly perceived by the senses What is an example of indirectly perceiving something with our senses?

7. Which of the following can be currently investigated by science?
Earthquakes
Witchcraft
The origin of species
Viruses
Love
Astrology
Angels
Ghosts
Unicorns
Cells
Souls
Beautiful sunset
Rainbows
God
Dinosaur bones
A murder not seen

8. A confirmed, or at least agreed-upon empirical observation.
Scientific FACT:
A confirmed, or at least agreed-upon empirical observation.

9. IS ISN’T Limited to the natural world Observable Testable Measurable
Repeatable
Modifiable
Verifiable
Built upon testable prediction
Based on experimentation
Open to change
Biased
Disprovable
Objective
Strong theories inferred from solid evidence
Made stronger by different lines of evidence
A search for understanding
Based on proof
Based on belief
Based on authority
Decided by debate or law
Search for truth
Certain
Fair
Able to solve all problems
A collection of facts
Democratic
Absolute
Rigid

10. Pseudoscience is a claim or practice that appears to be scientific but does not adhere to the principles of science.

11. Would you consider the evidence presented by the Flat Earth Documentary to be scientific or pseudoscientific?

12. A Pseudoscientific idea:
Relativitism is the idea that all explanations are equally valid and worthy, therefore the right idea is simply a matter of opinion

13. Science uses comparative critical thinking to evaluate hypothesis and explanations
The better explanation:
Is more consistent with known natural processes
Accounts for more data
Has more reliable or greater predictive power
Accounts for previously unexplained or puzzling phenomena
Has fewer anomalies or exceptions left unexplained
Is simpler and less complicated (Occam’s Razor)
Provides a fertile field for further research

14. agree or disagree and why?
A hypothesis is sometimes a prediction and sometimes an educated guess.

15. tentative (falsifiable).
IMPORTANT IDEA!!!!
A hypothesis is a proposed explanation of observable phenomena that is testable and
tentative (falsifiable).

16. Which of the following are proper hypotheses?
People who smoke will get cancer.
If I study every day, then I will get an A in biology.
Red is the prettiest color.
If I add fertilizer to some tomato plants and not to others, then the ones with fertilizer will grow faster.
Plant growth may be affected by the color of light to which plants are exposed.
The vertebrate eye was designed by an intelligent being

17. agree or disagree and why?
Evolution is “just a theory”, so you shouldn’t give it much credence.

18. IMPORTANT IDEA!!!!
A scientific use of the word theory is very different from the everyday (non-scientific) use of the word. Everyday use:
You know how Mr. Muzny acts oddly and occasionally bumps into things? I have a theory that he is really a giant puppet controlled by thousands of tiny spiders.

19. In science:
A theory is a comprehensive explanation for natural phenomena that is supported by laws, facts, tested hypotheses and inferences, and has predictive power.

20. Atomic Theory Gravitation Germ Theory Evolution
Some Theories:
Atomic Theory Gravitation Germ Theory Evolution

21. agree or disagree and why?
Nothing in science is ever proven right so it is a waste of our time.

22. agree or disagree and why?
I believe in evolution.