What is Science?

Science is…..Knowledge Generally, “Science” is described in terms of the areas, disciplines, or knowledge areas of Scientific Study. Generally, “Science” is described in terms of the areas, disciplines, or knowledge areas of Scientific Study.

Knowledge Areas Biology (living organisms) Biology (living organisms) Chemistry (chemicals) Chemistry (chemicals) Physics (physical universe) Physics (physical universe) Earth Science (Earth centered study) Earth Science (Earth centered study)

How do we apply this knowledge? “Methods” are the way that we apply the information we are getting. This helps us understand our universe and solve problems. We do this everyday without knowing it. “Methods” are the way that we apply the information we are getting. This helps us understand our universe and solve problems. We do this everyday without knowing it. Scientists call this Scientists call this The Scientific Method

1. State the Problem 2. Gather Information 3. Form a Hypothesis 4. Conduct the Experiment 5. Analyze the Data 6. Draw Conclusions

State the Problem What are you curious about? What are you curious about? What question are you trying to answer? What question are you trying to answer? Written as a question or a statement Written as a question or a statement The focus of the entire experimet The focus of the entire experimet What is the point of your experiment? What is the point of your experiment?

Gather Information What information is already out there about your problem? What information is already out there about your problem? Do you already know something about your problem? Do you already know something about your problem? Do some research Do some research Ask someone you know Ask someone you know Use this information to take the next step Use this information to take the next step

Hypothesis An educated guess as to the answer to your problem An educated guess as to the answer to your problem Based on the information you gathered Based on the information you gathered What do you think your results will be What do you think your results will be Written as an “if…then” statement Written as an “if…then” statement Cause and affect Cause and affect “If we add baking soda, then the vinegar will explode” “If we add baking soda, then the vinegar will explode”

Design an Experiment Test your hypothesis Test your hypothesis List your materials List your materials Give a step by step procedure Give a step by step procedure You can only test one variable at a time You can only test one variable at a time Variable: something that can change Variable: something that can change Independent Variable: changed intentionally by the scientist to test for results Independent Variable: changed intentionally by the scientist to test for results Dependant Variable: Changes on its own because of the independent variable Dependant Variable: Changes on its own because of the independent variable Control: kept the same for comparison so it will not affect your results Control: kept the same for comparison so it will not affect your results

Analyze Data Record all data and observations during the experiment Record all data and observations during the experiment Qualitative data: what you observed or saw Qualitative data: what you observed or saw Quantitative data: what you measured or calculated Quantitative data: what you measured or calculated Organize that data in a way that is easy to look at and understand Organize that data in a way that is easy to look at and understand Table/chart Table/chart Graph Graph Start to think about what your results mean Start to think about what your results mean

Draw Conclusions Written paragraph that explains the results of your experiment and what they mean Written paragraph that explains the results of your experiment and what they mean Must answer these questions Must answer these questions What happened? What happened? Describe your results Describe your results Was your hypothesis correct? Was your hypothesis correct? Use data you collected to show why or why not. Use data you collected to show why or why not. What do your results mean? What do your results mean? Explain why you think you got those results. Explain why you think you got those results. Did you make any mistakes? Did you make any mistakes? What could you do to learn more? What could you do to learn more? How could you get more information on this topic How could you get more information on this topic Did your experiment leave you with any new questions? Did your experiment leave you with any new questions?

Report Results Show the world what you have discovered Show the world what you have discovered Was your hypothesis incorrect? Was your hypothesis incorrect? Make a new hypothesis and new experiment Make a new hypothesis and new experiment Keep trying until you find the answer Keep trying until you find the answer Was your hypothesis correct? Was your hypothesis correct? Write a lab report and continue to test Write a lab report and continue to test Proven hypothesis becomes a theory or a law Proven hypothesis becomes a theory or a law Theory: explanation based on scientific data and observations from many experiments Theory: explanation based on scientific data and observations from many experiments Law: statement of what always seems to be true in nature Law: statement of what always seems to be true in nature

Paper Tower Problem….. Question: How can I make a paper tower that is free standing and is the tallest structure in the class? Question: How can I make a paper tower that is free standing and is the tallest structure in the class? Hypothesis: If….then…..statement Hypothesis: If….then…..statement Conduct Experiment: Build tower. Conduct Experiment: Build tower. It must stand for at least 5 seconds It must stand for at least 5 seconds You can only use 1 sheet of construction paper You can only use 1 sheet of construction paper

Paper Tower Problem…. Analyze Data/Results: Does it stand up for at least 5 seconds? How tall is it? Analyze Data/Results: Does it stand up for at least 5 seconds? How tall is it? Conclusion: My hypothesis was correct…..or…..My hypothesis was incorrect…… Conclusion: My hypothesis was correct…..or…..My hypothesis was incorrect……