1. What is Science?

2. Science is: The study of processes/observations that determines information.

3. Types of Sciences: Name of theArea of Science:Study:______ EcologyEnvironment BiologyLife OrnithologyBirds IcthologyFish ChemistryChemical Rxn BotanyPlants ZoologyAnimals

4. Characteristics of Science:  Gather background information  Observations  Predications  Experimentation  Data analysis  Form a conclusion

5. Steps of the Scientific Method 1. Make predictions that identify a solution or lead to a conclusion.

6. 2. Note any observations that may give you some idea of a possible answer. This involves:  Descriptions  Drawings/Photographs  Using your senses

7. 3. Form a hypothesis, which is an educated guess. A good hypothesis tells you two things: A. What you think is going to happen B. Why or how that is going to happen.

8. Example:  Use an if, then statement If phosphate is increased, then the algae population will increase due to nutrient overload.

9. 4. Conduct an experiment, collect data, and analyze the results. Types of data: a. Quantitative- use of numbers Ex: ages, height, mass b. Qualitative- description Ex: animal behavior

10. Parts to an Experiment:  Constants- holding variables the same.  Control- anything that does not receive an experimental treatment (compare)  Variables: –Dependent variable- what you are measuring –Independent variable- what is causing the change

11.  Analyzing results often means making a graph or data table.

12. 5. Draw a conclusion: scientist accept or reject the original hypothesis. This can lead to new questions and start the process again. *Always support your claims with data.

14. Hypothesis vs. Theory  A theory is different from a hypothesis: A hypothesis is an educated guess based only on a small amount of information. Ex: If I eat vegetables, then I will be healthier. A theory is an explanation of many facts and how they are related and work together to explain a phenomenon. Ex: Evolution

15. Ecology  Study of the relationship between the biotic (living) and abiotic (nonliving) factors in the environment.  Ex of abiotic factors: temp, sunlight, soil, water, etc.  Ex of biotic factors: plants, bacteria, animals, etc.