1. EVOLUTION OF SCIENTIFIC METHOD

2. 500 B.C. to 1600 A.D.
The leading Western scientific thoughts were derived from the works of the natural Greek philosophers: Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.

3. NATURAL PHILOSOPHY
Knowledge about the world could only be attained through thought and contemplation.
However, the observations on these thought experiments are severely limited in understanding “timeless truth.”

4. BEGINNING OF SCIENCE
Science, as we know it, evolved from “natural philosophy” (literally “thinking about nature”) starting about the year 1600 due to the work of Galileo, Bacon, and many others.

5. ORIGIN OF SOME MODERN SCIENCES

6. SCIENTIFIC METHOD
Provides logical approach to solution of scientific problems.

8. 4 5 3 6 1 2

9. SCIENCE TERMINOLOGY
A common science vocabulary is needed in order to communicate effectively with one another.
The scientific meaning of a word is often different than its everyday meaning.
Weight Mass
Distance Displacement
Speed Velocity

10. OBSERVATION An observation is an event perceived by senses.
Experimental data are observations.
NOT all observations are correct - people make mistakes.

11. SCIENTIFIC OBSERVATIONS
In order to test the validity of a scientific observation, it must be repeatable and must be verified by competent observers.
Observations which are not repeatable are called “anecdotal evidence”.

12. SCIENTIFIC FACT
An observation that many competent observers agree is correct is a fact.
NOT ALL scientific facts are correct - people make mistakes.

13. FACTS ARE NOT PERMANENT
If further observations show that a fact is not correct, it must be rejected and replaced.
This often happens when new technology becomes available enabling scientists to conduct observations which are previously unavailable.
ex. The Earth is flat

14. HYPOTHESIS
A hypothesis is an educated guess about why something happens.
A scientific hypothesis must be testable by observation
A hypothesis that is not testable is called “speculation”.

15. CONCLUSION
A conclusion is a decision based on observations, facts, or experimental data.

16. SCIENTIFIC THEORY
A theory is a synthesis (combination) of well-tested hypotheses.
Scientific theories tend to explain why scientific laws operate the way they do .

17. SCIENTIFIC LAW
A scientific law describes what happens but don’t generally explain why they happen. Scientific laws are usually expressed in mathematical formulas

18. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Science is about discovering new things about nature, and about how nature works.
Technology is about using scientific discoveries to make practical structures and devices for society.

19. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Science uses technology, and technology uses science.
Although science and technology are not the same, neither could exist for long without the other.