1. What is “Science”? A process whose purpose it to
understand (investigate and explain)
the natural world (things that can be observed using our senses)
Science is purposeful – scientists don’t “guess”
Proposed explanations are well thought-out before testing
Scientific understandings change with time
New technologies make possible new observations
Disagreement among scientists is a strength (not a weakness)
It leads to further study and improved explanations

2. The Starting Points Science is based on several basic assumptions:
The world is real – the physical universe exists.
Humans can perceive and understand the physical universe.
Natural processes are enough to explain the natural world.
Nature operates the same way everywhere and at all times.

3. How Science Gets Done
The process of science is focused on creating explanations of the natural world through two activities:
Exploration and discovery
Asking questions
Making observations
Sharing ideas
Testing Ideas
Developing “hypotheses”
Testing hypotheses through investigation
Evaluating the results of investigations
There are “scientific methods”,
but not “The Scientific Method”

4. Natural Limitations Science is limited by our senses
We can’t know everything
“Proof” is not possible
But “disproof” must be
New observations are always being made
So our explanations can change with time
Multiple explanations are often possible
But some explanations are better than others

5. Human Limitations Science can be done poorly.
Science can be influenced by human values and biases.
Science can be misused.

6. Habits of a Scientific Mind
Curiosity
Skepticism
Open-Mindedness
Intellectual Honesty
Imagination and Creativity