1. What is Scientific Literacy?
Involves applying critical thinking skills to everyday life, particularly to claims related to health, technology, and advertising.

2. Why do we need to be scientifically literate?
Are all of us going to grow up to be scientific researchers?
No, but we must develop inquiry skills that will allow us to make informed decisions about things we encounter in everyday life.

3. Example: Suppose you see a commercial
for a weight loss pill that claims
you will lose weight if you use It.
Before rushing out to buy this
product, what are some things
you should think about?

4. You may think about the following:
How many people were tested?
Validity
What is in the product?
How long do you have to use it to get results?
What are some of the side effects?

5. Where can you go to find the answers to the questions?
State Consumer Product Information Agency
Friends or relatives who have used the product
Company Webpage
Scientific journals containing information about the pill

6. This kind of thinking is called: Inquiry Skills
Inquiry involves making judgments about the reliability of the source and the relevance of information.
Inquiry- means to ask questions
Reliability- can we trust the information
Relevance- is the information important to the matter under consideration

7. More questions to think about:
Where did the information come from?
Who did the experimental research?
How was the experiment done?
Did the people who conducted the study have a selfish motive in obtaining positive results?

8. An experiment should be able to be repeated with identical results.
How do you know whether or not you can trust the information from a research study?
An experiment should be able to be repeated with identical results.

9. How do you know whether or not you can trust the information from a research study?
Good experiments are
Peer Reviewed
Peer Review is when several scientists examine the details of an experiment

10. What is a Hypothesis?
Tentative Answer based on observation which can be supported or refuted through experimentation.
It can be disproven, but not proven to be true.

11. What is a theory? Theory of Theory of Energy & Mass Evolution
Theories are valid as long as no evidence disputes it, therefore, can be disproved.
(A hypothesis that is accepted as a good explanation)
Theory of
Energy & Mass
Theory of
Evolution
Is an explanation, supported by observations and/or experiments, that can be used to explain related occurrences.

12. What is a Scientific Law?
Newton’s Law of Gravity
In addition to theories, scientists also recognize certain facts of nature, called laws, that are generally known to be true, but don’t explain why (like a hypothesis).
**Laws have a higher degree of certainty than theories.

13. Proof, Truth, or Fact? No real ‘proof’ or ‘absolute truth’ in science.
“FACT” which are ‘indisputable observations are as close as we get.
Arrive at a logical conclusion based on evidence = proof in science. <Not something that implies it can never be wrong>

14. Conclusion What is the main cause for a stomach ulcer? Bacteria
Keep in mind that all scientific explanations (theories) are subject to change as more is learned. With new information, scientists must be willing to change their thinking and, therefore, their explanations.
What is the main cause for a stomach ulcer?
Bacteria