1. What Is Science? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

2. Your definition
Think-pair-share

3. Goals of Science Investigate and understand nature
Explain events in nature
Make useful predictions
Never stop questioning

4. Definition of Science
An organized way of using evidence to learn about the natural world.
The body of knowledge that scientists have built up after years of testing proposed explanations.

5. Observations The first step to “doing” science
Involves using one or more of the senses
Sight
Hearing
Touch
Smell
Taste

6. Observations Will raise a question.

7. Observations To gather… Information Evidence Data

8. Inference Follows an observation
A logical interpretation based on prior knowledge and experience
Uses what you know to figure something out 

9. Inference Observation or Inference? The dogs are friends.
The dogs are friends.
The dogs are not allowed in the chair.
The little dog is gray.
The little dog is old.
There is a chair by the dog beds.
The big dog is happy.
The little dog is in a big bed.
The little dog stole the big dog’s bed.
There are two dogs.
The big dog is in the little bed.
The little dog is mad.
The big dog is sleeping.
There are two dog beds.

10. Observation or Inference?
Can we make the same assumptions (Inferences based on observations) about this picture as we did the last one?

11. Hypothesis
A tentative statement that proposes a possible explanation to some phenomenon or event
Attempts to explain a set of observations
May arise from logical inferences

12. Hypothesis Uses prior knowledge Is an educated guess or a trial answer
Is a testable statement which may include a prediction

13.                                          
Importance of Science
Science helps us to understand the world around us and to appreciate it's complexities
It underlies our health, our work, our communications, our entertainment and our transport
It permeates our lives and informs our actions
Science is a way of thinking, fun, dynamic, constantly changing

14.                                          
Importance of Science
Science contributes to our understanding of health and disease and enables medical progress
It shows us our impact on the environment and our world
It empowers us to make technological advancements
As scientific knowledge grows, so does our understanding of the universe

15. What Science Isn’t Scientific knowledge is not the absolute truth
It is based only on available evidence
It is subject to modification in light of new evidence and new ways of thinking
Science is limited to the study of the natural world and cannot study or explain supernatural events

16. A Unique Endeavor
What three things make science different from other human endeavors?
It deals only with the natural world
Scientists collect and organize information in a careful, orderly way, looking for patterns and connections between events
Scientists propose explanations that can be tested by examining evidence

17. A Good Scientist: What qualities make for a good scientist? Curious
Honest
Open minded
Persistent
Skeptical
Patient and careful
Recognize limitations of science
Believe in cause and effect
Concern for mankind