1. Advanced Animal Science c (2) (a)(b)(c)(d)
What is Science?
Advanced Animal Science
c (2) (a)(b)(c)(d)

2. Objectives Today you will be able to:
Summarize the definition and importance of science
Describe a hypothesis
Describe a scientific theory
Compare hypotheses and theories
Synthesize a hypothesis for given situations

3. How do we define science?
Science, as defined by the National Academy of Sciences, is the "use of evidence to construct testable explanations and predictions of natural phenomena, as well as the knowledge generated through this process."

4. What does it really mean?
Science is a tool to understand how the universe works around us.
Science is a system of acquiring knowledge.
A system of observation and experimentation used to describe and explain phenomena.
Scientific discovery takes a long time, and is the interconnection of many different studies and existing knowledge

5. Why? Why is it important?
Through explanations and knowledge gained through science, we are able to improve our lives.
What has science done for you?
University of California, Berkeley

6. Products of Modern Science
Electricity
Observations and experimentation by Ben Franklin and Alessandro Volta in the 1700s pioneered the way for harnessing the power of electricity.

7. Products of Modern Science
Modern Medicine
Through science, we enjoy the benefits of:
Vaccines
Eradication of diseases such as smallpox
Extended lives through the treatment of once deadly diseases
Many people alive today are here because of the benefits that modern medicine provided them.

8. Products of Modern Science
Modern Agriculture
Science has played a key role in developing a safe and abundant food supply in developed countries.
Specialized biologists (plant breeders) started developing high-yielding varieties of crops through new techniques in breeding.
Today biotechnology plays an essential role in further transforming our food system, ensuring we have a plentiful and safe food supply for future generations.

9. Impact of Science on Society
Those were some examples of products of modern science. Almost everything we enjoy today is the result of science.
Science also enables us to make informed personal and policy decisions concerning health, agriculture, economics, etc.
As a result, it is extremely important to understand science and distinguish between “bad science” and “good science”.
Groups can take advantage of ignorance to push their agenda.

10. What is Science?
The Scientific method

11. The Scientific Method
As we discussed, science is a system of observation and experimentation.
This system of observation and experimentation is the scientific method. The scientific method is the engine behind science.
List out what you feel are the steps of the scientific process.

12. The Scientific Method General Principles
Define a Question
“How do I synthesize a pesticide to attack a specific pest?”
Observe
Information gathering (literature review)
Forming of a Hypothesis
“Getting pimples is unaffected by eating greasy food”
Test the Hypothesis
Perform an experiment and collect data. The experiment must be reproducible.
Data Analysis
Perform statistical analysis.
Interpret the Data and its Implications
This will provide a starting point for further hypotheses.
Publish Results
This allows others to learn about your discovery and develop further advanced research.
Retest
An important part of the scientific process is testing the work of others to ensure you get the same results.

13. What is Science?
Hypothesis

14. Hypotheses
After your observations/researching existing information about issue, you will form an educated guess to answer your question.
Hypothesis is defined as: “a supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation”.

15. Hypotheses
Basically, it is a suggested solution for an unexplained occurrence that does not fit into current accepted scientific theory.
It must be worded so that it can be tested, and subsequently answered.
This is called falsifiability and testability.

16. Hypotheses
In order to make it testable, you express your hypothesis using an independent variable and dependent variable.
Independent Variable (IV): variable you change
Dependent Variable (DV): you observe changes of this variable with the changes of the IV.

17. Example Scientific experiment

18. Example Experiment
Define a Question: “What happens if I water a plant with different liquids?”
Information gathering: research on the methods water is absorbed through the plant
Hypothesis: “Normal water with little to no additives is the most effective liquid to water”.

19. Types of Variables
Independent
Dependent
Control
This is the variable you change.
You collect data on this variable based off of the changes you make to the independent variable.
Unchanged, constant. 1 9 8 1 1 7 9 9 6 8 8 5 7 7 4 6 6 3 5 5 2 4 4 3 3 1 2 2 1 1
Example
Using various liquids to “water” a plant versus your control: water.
Example
Plant height
Example
Type of plant, soil.
Plant water

20. Example Scientific Experiment
Raw Data
Water Treatment (IV)
Soda
Orange Juice
Vinegar
Water
Plant #1
10.2
12.4
4.5
19.8
Plant #2
12.6
11.9
6.7
21.5
Plant #3
11.7
10.5
5.9
21.9
Plant #4
9.8
11.3
6.4
22.3
Height
(in)

21. Example Scientific Experiment
Water Treatment (IV)
Soda
Orange Juice
Vinegar
Water
Plant #1
10.2
12.4
4.5
19.8
Plant #2
12.6
11.9
6.7
21.5
Plant #3
11.7
10.5
5.9
21.9
Plant #4
9.8
11.3
6.4
22.3
Height
(in)
Data Analysis
Soda
Orange Juice
Vinegar
Water
Mean
11.075
11.525
5.875
21.375
Standard Deviation (σ)
1.305
0.818
0.974
1.100

22. Implications/Conclusion
What would your conclusion be given this data?
Recommendations?
Soda
Orange Juice
Vinegar
Water
Mean
11.075
11.525
5.875
21.375
Standard Deviation (σ)
1.305
0.818
0.974
1.100

23. The Next stage: Theories
We have tested hypotheses – now what?
The Next stage: Theories

24. Theories
A scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation for natural phenomena.
Theory is the result of repeatedly testing and confirming hypotheses with the use of the scientific method.
Hypothesis
Hypothesis
Scientific Theory
Hypothesis
Hypothesis

25. Theories The US National Academy of Sciences defines theories as:
The formal scientific definition of theory is quite different from the everyday meaning of the word. It refers to a comprehensive explanation of some aspect of nature that is supported by a vast body of evidence. Many scientific theories are so well established that no new evidence is likely to alter them substantially.

26. Theories
The common usage of the term theory does not reflect scientific theory.

27. Examples of Theories
What are some examples of theories?

28. Examples of Theories Heliocentric theory
The model in which the Earth and planets revolve around the Sun at the center of the Solar system.
Is this a fact?
It serves as an example of how many theories are well established and no new evidence can substantially alter them.

29. Examples of Theories Germ theory of disease: Cell theory:
States that some diseases are caused by microorganism
Cell theory:
Cells are the basic unit of structure in all organisms and also the basic unit of reproduction.

30. Distinguishing: Hypotheses and Theories
Suggested explanation for an observable phenomenon
Prediction of a possible relationship between two events
Very specific – focused on certain events
Well-established, unified explanation
Developed after a set of proven hypotheses
Based on a wide set of data
It is a general principle

31. Identifying Hypothesis or Theory?
“If I add a certain amount of growth regulator to this plant, it will cease growing taller.”

32. Identifying Hypothesis Why? Specific Suggestion, prediction
Predicting a correlation among events

33. Identifying Hypothesis or Theory?
“Based on the studying of fossils and the modern distribution and reproduction of organisms, natural selection is how life has developed through the ages.”

34. Identifying Theory Why? General
Well-substantiated, unified explanation
Repeated testing, evidence

35. Activity

36. Activity In groups, develop a plan for a scientific experiment.
Draw out and explain all the steps for the scientific theory for your experiment.
Remember: the scientific process is methodical and intricate. It’s important to make sure the experiment is accurate.

37. Assessment

38. Assessment What is a scientific hypothesis?
What are the steps of the scientific theory?
Describe each step of the scientific theory
Provide examples
Compare and contrast hypotheses and theories