1. THE NATURE OF SCIENCE AND SCIENTIFIC METHODS
What is Science?
How is Science Done?

2. SCIENCE IS: a way of understanding the natural world
based on our senses and instruments to enhance our senses
exploration

3. CHARACTERISTICS OF SCIENCE
tentative: subject to change
empirical: measurable in terms of real data
logical: organized and explanative
objective: based on supportive evidence
social: communicated among scientific community
creative: imaginative, fun, and useful (TECHNOLOGY is the practical application of science)
BIG IDEA: Science seeks to CREATE NEW KNOWLEDGE
Pluto is no longer considered a planet – more information and further refinement of definition of planet…..
CLASSIFICATIONS may change because there are more facts
FACTS DO NOT CHANGE!!

4. SCIENCE ASKS: What’s there? How does it work?
How did it come to be this way?

5. SCIENCE IS DONE by EVERYONE, EVERYDAY to develop new knowledge
using the SCIENTIFIC METHOD as a way to collect data (general process) to answer a question

6. SCIENTIFIC METHOD Many expressions of the scientific method!!!
ALL start with OBSERVATION information gathered from the senses
After observation, steps do not have to be done “in order”
ALL “end” with sharing information & starting over
ALL involve
Identifying a problem & forming an explanation (hypothesis/prediction)
testing the explanation (experimenting)
gathering data & results (organizing data)
drawing conclusion & communicating them

7. this information is condensed into the purpose
OBSERVATION
Why is it that way?
What do other people know about this?
How can I find out more?
this information is condensed into the purpose
informal lab report
this information becomes the Introduction
formal lab report

8. INFERENCE? HYPOTHESIS? OR PREDICTION?
an explanation based on evidence and reasoning
an explanation based on evidence and reasoning
a guess at what will happen based on prior experience
INFERENCE
a testable explanation that guides an experiment
PREDICTION
HYPOTHESIS

9. Test hypothesis under controlled conditions
An Example
OBSERVATION
Some plants are taller than others
Reading says
soybeans act as fertilizer
PROMPT: WANT TO TEST FERTILIZER
CONTROL: NO FERTILIZER
EXP GROUP: FERTILIZER
HYPOTHESIS
Corn with fertilizer will grow taller than corn without fertilizer
EXPERIMENT
Test hypothesis under controlled conditions

10. receives independent variable receives “normal” treatment
DESIGN AN EXPERIMENT
A controlled experiment is a comparison of two or more groups with one difference between the groups
EXPERIMENTAL GROUP
receives independent variable
CONTROL GROUP
receives “normal” treatment
Corn will receive:
sunlight
water
soil
Corn will receive:
sunlight
water
soil
fertilizer
PROMPT: WANT TO TEST FERTILIZER
CONTROL: NO FERTILIZER
EXP GROUP: FERTILIZER
SAMPLE GROUP: Smaller group representative of population (example – political polls)

11. VARIBLES: Factors that can change
sunlight, water, soil
CONSTANT VARIABLE: factors that stay the same
fertilizer
INDEPENDENT VARIABLE: the difference between the groups; the factor manipulated (changed) by the experimenter
INDPEPENDENT: FERTILIZER
DEPENDENT: PLANT HEIGHT
DEPENDENT VARIABLE: the measured result of the experiment; the factor that responds to the change
plant height

12. Experiment & Collect Data
DATA / EVIDENCE: “raw” or unprocessed measurements from the experiment
QUALITATIVE: (subjective): descriptive data, uses words, pictures
QUANTITATIVE: (objective): numerical data, from instruments
Height of corn with fertilizer was taller than control group
QUALITATITVE: taller, bigger, short, no growth
QUANTITATIVE: any numerical change like 2cm taller, 0 cm growth
Height of corn with fertilizer averaged 2 cm taller than control group

13. RESULTS & ANALYSIS What does your data mean?
RESULTS: evidence from experiment; organization of data
Tables, graphs, visual representation of data
This is to be very objective – no commentary

14. CONCLUSIONS (TELL) Make a CONCLUSION (explanation based on data)
Does the data support or refute the hypothesis?
Were there any ERRORS (sources of mistakes)?
Was there a way to improve the experiment?
Conclusions – now commentary OK

15. WHAT NOW????
After several experiments have been done, Scientists SHARE their findings and/or develop…
MODEL: graphical explanation or representation
THEORY: a well-tested hypothesis that is has not been proven wrong; generally accepted to be “correct,” unless disproven
LAW: a predictable relationship that is accepted as fact; often expressed as a formula (F=ma)
PRINCIPLE: a concept from which other ideas are derived
MODEL: ATOMIC STRUCTURE
THEORY: EVOLUTION
LAW – usually means formula; PRINCIPLES – usually more general
LAW/Principle often used interchangeably
BIG IDEA: CREATE NEW KNOWLEDGE AND TELL OTHERS

16. OVERVIEW OF S.M. Tests explanations Refines ideas Tests them again
Shares what happened

17. References
Various ideas/pictures from Integrated Science Team at Palisades Charter High School