1. Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Science in Context Lesson Overview 1.2 Science in Context

2. Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Science in Context THINK ABOUT IT The scientific method is the heart of science. But that “heart” is only part of the full “body” of science. Other important parts of science include the scientific community and society.

3. Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Science in Context Exploration and Discovery: Where Ideas Come From What scientific attitudes help generate new ideas? Curiosity, skepticism, open- mindedness, and creativity Good scientists share scientific attitudes that lead them to exploration and discovery.

4. Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Science in Context Curiosity Curiosity keeps us questioning. You may look at a salt marsh and ask, “What’s that plant? Why is it growing here?” Often, results from previous studies lead to new questions. For example: We find out that marsh grass grows in salt marshes because of the high levels of nitrogen. Our next question could be:

5. Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Science in Context Skepticism Skeptics question existing ideas and hypotheses, and refuse to accept explanations without evidence. Scientists who disagree with hypotheses design experiments to test them. Supporters of hypotheses also test their ideas to confirm them and to address any valid questions raised.

6. Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Science in Context Open-Mindedness Open-minded - willing to accept different ideas that may not agree with their hypothesis. Creativity Researchers need to think creatively to design experiments that yield accurate data.

7. Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Science in Context Practical Problems Ideas for scientific investigations may arise from practical problems. For example, people living on a strip of land along a coast may face flooding and other problems. These practical questions inspire scientific questions, hypotheses, and experiments.

8. Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Science in Context Reviewing and Sharing Ideas Why is peer review important? Publishing peer-reviewed articles allows researchers to share ideas and to test and evaluate each other’s work.

9. Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Science in Context Peer Review Reviewers read articles looking for oversights, unfair influences, fraud, or mistakes in techniques or reasoning. They provide expert assessment of the work to ensure that the highest standards of quality are met.

10. Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Science in Context Sharing Knowledge and New Ideas New research may spark new questions. Each question leads to new hypotheses that must be tested. For example, the findings that growth of salt marsh grasses is limited by nitrogen suggests that nitrogen might be a limiting nutrient for mangroves and other plants in similar habitats.

11. Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Science in Context Scientific Theories What is a scientific theory? Theory - a well-tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations and hypotheses Enables scientists to make accurate predictions about new situations.

12. Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Science in Context Science and Society What is the relationship between science and society? Using science involves understanding its context in society and its limitations.

13. Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Science in Context Science, Ethics, and Morality Science can tell us how technology and scientific knowledge can be applied, but not whether it should be applied in particular ways. Example: What does the frontal lobe of the brain do? Test: Remove the frontal lobe and see what happens. Should we? Other examples include testing medicine, chemicals in food, etc.

14. Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Science in Context Avoiding Bias The way that science is applied can be affected by… Bias - a particular point of view that is personal, rather than scientific. Science aims to be objective, but scientists are human, too. Sometimes scientific data can be misinterpreted or misapplied by scientists who want to prove a particular point. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYPgi1oUqXA

15. Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Science in Context Understanding and Using Science Don’t just memorize today’s scientific facts and ideas. Instead, try to understand how scientists developed those ideas and come up with questions of your own.

16. Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Science in Context Understanding and Using Science Understanding biology will help you realize that we humans can predict the consequences of our actions and take an active role in directing our future and that of our planet. Personal example: How does food affects you? US example: How can watersheds be cleaned? Worldwide example: How can pollution be reduced?