1. Woodrow Wilson Physical Science Group Introduction

2. What is SCIENCE? most definitions of science contain action words like study, discover, find out, and nouns like knowledge, nature, universe, etc…

3. SCIENCE can be defined as… the search for relationships that explain and predict the behavior of the universe.

4. Science has also been described as the process of model building, in which models serve to simplify observed phenomena and relationships. See Gilbert & Boulter (2000) Scientific “models” may exist in several forms: Physical (concrete; 3D objects) Gestural (kinesthetic; body movements) Verbal (spoken/written; analogy; metaphor) Pictorial (visual diagrams; animations) Numerical (data table; lists) Graphical (ordered pairs) Mathematical (equations; formulas)

5. Two potential problems with the use of models (simplified versions of the actual phenomena): 1) The model may lead to assumptions about the actual phenomenon that are not valid because actual phenomenon that are not valid because no model can represent the phenomenon no model can represent the phenomenon EXACTLY. EXACTLY. 2) Many people confuse or mistake the model for the reality. the reality. Atomic Models Atomic Models Ray Model of Light Ray Model of Light The Man with Two Brains The Man with Two Brains Zoolander (link) Zoolander (link)link

6. These types of scientific models closely parallel several ideas relevant to teaching and learning: multiple intelligences (link, link), learning styles (link, link), and differentiated instruction (link, link, link). link

7. many give definitions that are simply lists of topics usually covered in physics courses, such as the study of motion, forces, light, electricity, waves, magnetism, energy, etc… What is PHYSICS?

8. the science concerned with relationships and transformations among types of matter and energy. PHYSICS can be defined as…

9. the science concerned with the composition, structure, and properties of matter, as well as the changes it undergoes CHEMISTRY can be defined as…