1. Ch. 1
Miss Loulousis

2. 1.1 Nature of Science
Science: an organized way of using evidence to learn about the natural world. The goal of science is to help us understand the natural world and to improve people’s lives.
Understanding science can help you take better care of you health, be a wiser consumer, and become a better-informed citizen.
Science is governed by truths that are valid everywhere in the universe called universal laws. (ex. The laws of gravity) Scientists can improve life by challenging old claims and making new discoveries.

3. 1.1
Scientists begin this process by asking questions based on observations of the natural world through one or more of the senses to gather information. We call this information data. The questions often lead to more questions making this process the cornerstone of scientific thought.
Scientific thought also requires skepticism- a questioning and doubtful attitude. Scientists question everything.

4. 1.1 There are two types of observations:
1. Quantitative data- involves numbers, counting, measurements, etc.
Examples:
2. Qualitative data- involves characteristics that cannot be easily measured or counted

5. Observations and Inferences

6. Observation 1. Are there cars parked on the sides of the road?
2. What color is the pickup truck driving in the road
3.Where there any minivans around?
4. What does the blue sign say?
5.What’s the speed limit?
6. Are there any pedestrians on the road?
Yes
2.Blue
3.Yes
4.Yard Sale
5.35 mph
6.No

7. 1.1
Observations are usually followed with inferences - a logical interpretation based on prior knowledge and experience.
Then scientists may develop a hypothesis- possible explanation for what has been observed. In science, a hypothesis is only useful if it can be tested

8. 1.1
Hypotheses are usually tested through a controlled experiment. At the end of the experiment, a conclusion is drawn in which the hypothesis is either supported or rejected.

9. Inferences
There is a representation of a face on one side of the coin.
2. The Latin word "Dei" means "God."
3. The coin was made by deeply religious people.
4. The date 1722 is printed on one side of the coin.
5. The coin was made in 1722.
6. The face on the coin is a representation of the nation's president.

10. Science in action…
PROBLEM: You enter a dark room, turn on the wall switch, but the lam does not go on.
A.What is your initial observation?
B.How might you explain the problem?
C.Is the problem more likely with thte lamp or the switch? How do you know?
D.How will you test your thoughts on the problem?
E. How is the problem usually resolved?
F. Does the solution give you insights about how to solve the problem if it occurs again?

11. 1.2 How Scientists Work
Scientists use a series of steps called the scientific method to answer questions and solve problems.

12. 1.2
1. Ask a question- observations lead to questions, which help scientists come up with the problem they are trying to solve.

13. 1.2
2. Make a hypothesis- a possible explanation to solve the problem. Hypotheses are educated guesses that tests two variables.
A formal hypothesis is written in an “If…, then…” statement.
The “if” part relates the two variables being tested. The “then” part states how the hypothesis will be tested.

14. 1.2
3. conduct a controlled experiment – tests the effect of a single variable by changing it while keeping all the other variables the same.
Determine the variables- factors that change
Only ONE variable in an experiment should be tested at a time. All the other variables must be kept the same (or controlled).

15. 1.2
4. Analyze data- qualitative and quantitative data

16. 1.2
Form a Conclusion
A. Do the results from the data support or reject the hypothesis?
B. If the hypothesis is supported – run the experiment again to repeat the results.
C. If the hypothesis is rejected – try again by forming a new hypothesis or change the way the hypothesis was originally tested.

17. When experiments are not possible
It is not always possible for scientists to conduct an experiment to test a hypothesis.
In such cases, researchers carry out field studies or study groups of organisms.
When scientists design these other kinds of investigations, they try to stay close to the scientific method.

18. How a Theory Develops
As evidence from numerous investigations build up, a particular hypothesis may become so well supported that scientists consider it a theory.
A theory is a well-tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations (data).
It allows scientists to make accurate predictions about new situations. However, no theory is considered an absolute truth.
As new evidence is uncovered, a theory can be adapted even discarded.