Nature of Science Lesson 1: Understanding Science ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS 1)What is scientific inquiry? 2)What are the results of scientific investigations? 3)How can a scientist prevent bias in a scientific investigation? Copy this slide at the top of Page 13 of your ISN. Try to only use about 1/3 of the page. Now, watch Mrs. Wiley fold a pocket for your vocab cards and glue into your ISN on the bottom part of page 13. Put your cards in there!!!

Lesson 1: Understanding Science What is Science? Science is the investigation and exploration of natural events and of the new information that results from those investigations.

Lesson 1: Understanding Science Scientific Inquiry  When scientists conduct scientific investigations, they use scientific inquiry.  Scientific Inquiry - a process that uses a variety of skills and tools to answer questions.  Scientists begin scientific inquiry with making observations and inferences.  Empirical Evidence - the cumulative body of observations of a natural phenomenon on which scientific explanations are based.

Lesson 1: Understanding Science Scientific Inquiry 1)Ask Questions- What are you trying to find out?  First, you make an observation. Observation - using one or more of your senses to gather information and take note of what occurs.  Observations lead to questions.  After you form a question… you gather information about that question (in your mind? Research?)  Then, you make an inference. Inference - a logical explanation of an observation that is drawn from prior knowledge or experience.

Observation Inference  The act of using one or more of your senses to gather information and taking note of what occurs.  Qualitative: Things you use your 5 senses to observe. What you see, feel, smell, taste, hear. Not expressed as a number and open to interpretation.  Quantitative: Measureable observations. Length, width, height, mass,speed,etc.( Expressed as a number)  A logical explanation of an observation that is drawn from prior knowledge or experience  Example : Students who study for tests earn better scores! Observation vs. Inference Lesson 1: Understanding Science Scientific Inquiry

Lesson 1: Understanding Science POP QUIZ What is an example of a quantitative observation? a)The plant has white flowers. b)The white flowers smell good. c)The plant is 15cm tall. d)The plant has tiny leaves.

Lesson 1: Understanding Science POP QUIZ What is an example of a qualitative observation? a)The plant has 16 white flowers. b)The white flowers smell good. c)The plant is 15cm tall. d)The plant has 1.5 inch long leaves.

Lesson 1: Understanding Science Scientific Inquiry Now that you have a question…. 2. Hypothesize ! Hypothesis - a possible explanation for an observation that can be tested by scientific investigations.  Based on research and previous knowledge  This is often used to make a prediction Prediction - a statement of what will happen next in a sequence of events.  If ___________, then ___________.

Lesson 1: Understanding Science Scientific Inquiry What do we do with our hypothesis and our prediction? 3. TEST IT! Scientists test a hypothesis by doing one or more of these steps: 1) Design a Controlled Experiment 2) Make a Model 3) Gather and Evaluate Evidence or Research 4) Collect Data/Record Observations

Lesson 1: Understanding Science Scientific Inquiry Designing a Controlled Experiment  Identify factors that may affect the outcome of your experiment  Any factor that has more than one value is called a variable.  Four types of variables: 1.Independent- what you are testing. Will change. 2.Dependent- what you are measuring. Should be charted or graphed. 3.Constant- what stays the same. 4.Control- used for comparison.

Lesson 1: Understanding Science Scientific Inquiry Procedures for Experiments  STEP BY STEP instructions.  Detailed so someone else could follow them and do exactly what you did ( Replication !)  Repeat several times for valid results ( Repetition!)

Lesson 1: Understanding Science Scientific Inquiry How to Record Data  Very carefully!!  Use charts or tables to organize data.  Record measurements and observations, and anything else you want to remember about what happened. Trial Number Height after 5 Days (cm) AVE30.5 Table 1: Plant Growth with TurboGro by Trial

Lesson 1: Understanding Science Scientific Inquiry 4. Analyze the Results  What are your results? What does the data show?  Create charts, tables, and graphs to represent all of your data.  Perform any calculations that will help you determine what the results mean. (i.e. averages, percentages, totals)  What are the possible sources of error? (i.e. inaccurate measurements, contamination, etc.)

Lesson 1: Understanding Science Scientific Inquiry 5. Draw Conclusions  Based on the relationships between your data (from graphs, tables, statistics, etc.)  A summary of the information gained from testing your hypothesis. 1.What is the answer to your question? 2.Was your hypothesis supported? 3.What would you do differently next time? 4.What further testing could you do?

Lesson 1: Understanding Science Scientific Inquiry Your Results May Not Be Valid If...  They are based on opinions, not data.  Your conclusions do not logically follow the evidence.  Your sample size is too small.  Your sample is biased.

Lesson 1: Understanding Science Scientific Inquiry If Your Hypothesis is Not Supported…  Recheck all of your equipment and try again.  Repeat several times… If It STILL isn’t supported…  Start questioning again…  Revise your hypothesis and test again!

Lesson 1: Understanding Science Results of Scientific Inquiry  New technology - the practical use of scientific knowledge, especially for industrial or commercial use.  New materials, such as bone bioceramic that mimics bone’s structure and allows a type of cell to grow into new bone.  New explanations to who, what, where, when, how questions.

Lesson 1: Understanding Science Scientific Inquiry Questions to Answer (pg. 7-11) 1.Why should scientists share their findings? 2.What is a scientific theory? Give an example of a scientific theory. 3.How are scientific theories supported? 4.What is a scientific law? Give an example of a scientific law. 5.How are laws different from theories? 6.What happens to theories and laws if new evidence is found? 7.What do critical thinkers do (4 things)?

Reflection/Homework Theory and Law

THEORY Based on repeated observations and scientific investigations If new information does not support a theory, it will be modified or rejected Attempts to explain why something happens Usually more complex than a law and might contain many well- supported hypotheses LAW Observations of similar events that have been observed repeatedly If many observations do not follow the law, it is rejected States that something will happen Usually contains one well-supported hypothesis that states that something will happen Theories explain WHY something happens Laws describe WHAT happens Lesson 1: Understanding Science Scientific Theories Vs. Scientific Laws

Theory of Evolution- All life on Earth shares a common ancestor. There is “decent with modification.” Evidence – Fossil Record, Genetic Studies, Radiometric Dating Theory of Plate Tecton ics Evidence – Sea Floor Spreading, distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes, Fossils Lesson 1: Understanding Science Examples of Theories

Newton’s Laws of Motion Universal Law of Gravity Law of Conservation of Energy Law of Conservation of Mass Lesson 1: Understanding Science Examples of Laws 2H 2 + O 2  2H 2 O

Lesson 1: Understanding Science Eliminating Bias  Bias is intentional or unintentional prejudice toward a specific outcome  Sources of bias can be equipment choices, hypothesis formation, and prior knowledge.  To prevent bias: 1.Select a large, random sample 2.Use a blind study 3.Repeat your studies

Lesson 1: Understanding Science Skepticism and Critical Thinking  Critical thinking - is comparing what you already know with the information you are given in order to decide whether you agree with it.  It is important to consider whether scientific information is truthful and accurate before you decide to believe it.  You should also question statements made by people that are not experts in what they are making claims about, and claims based on vague statements.