What is Science? Science is the attempt to understand the world we live in. It tries to find general principles to explain why things are as they are and why things happen the way they do.

What is the “heart” of Science? Why? How? When? Where? Questioning: Progress in science depends on people who not only wonder how the world works but who also take the time to develop questions that can be tested and answered.

SCIENTIST What is a scientist? A Scientist is someone who investigates to solve a problem

Do you see yourself as a scientist? We are all scientists because we solve problems just the way scientists do.

Sir Alexander Fleming His ability to question and to seek answers to these questions (as well as some luck) led to the discovery of one of the most important medical breakthroughs in history… The discovery of penicillin

a. List an important observation from this passage. Flemming noticed that there was no bacteria growth near the mold in the petri dish. b) What can we infer about the effects of Penicillin from this passage? That when a certain mold is present, there will be no bacteria growth.

Important Scientific Terms: Observations: Information that is collected with any of the senses. Instruments can enhance our senses. Evidence: Support for the idea that something is true.

INFERENCES What is an inference? An inference is a conclusion or deduction based on observations.

ASSUMPTIONS What is an assumption? A statement that you believe to be true, but cannot be proven. Scientists should not make assumptions.

OPINIONS What is an opinion? Ideas people have that may or may not be true. Opinions are often biased and should not be included in science

Observations vs. Inferences Statement Obs. Inf. Object A is round and orange. Object A is a basketball. Object C is round and black and white. Object C is larger than Object B. Object B is smooth. Object B is a table-tennis ball. Go to Section:

How do scientists solve problems? Definition: A process that is used to logically solve problems.

SCIENTIFIC METHOD STEPS: Problem (?) Research Hypothesis: What does this mean? Experiment Observations Results/Data Conclusion

WHAT IS THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD? Scientists solve problems a lot like you do. Suppose you turn on a radio and nothing happens. What would you do? You might look to see if it is plugged in. You might check the radio station by turning the dial. If you did one of these things, you started to use the scientific method. The scientific method is a model, or guide, used to solve problems. Without knowing it, you use the scientific method every day. If you have trouble with your locker, how do you use the scientific method? The scientific method involves asking questions, making observations, and trying things out in an orderly way. Scientists use certain steps to solve problems. Not all the steps need to be used and can be used in any order. The steps of the scientific method are: IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM- State it clearly, usually in the form of a question. GATHER INFORMATION- research, ask questions. Discover what is already known about a problem. STATE A HYPOTHESIS- A hypothesis is an educated guess, or suggested solution as to why something happens. TEST THE HYPOTHESIS- Experiment and examine the situation to check the hypothesis. MAKE CAREFUL OBSERVATIONS- Note everything your senses can gather. Record the data. Keep careful records. ORGANIZE AND ANALYZE THE DATA- Put the data in order. Scientists use charts and tables to organize data and find out its meaning. STATE A CONCLUSION- Explain the data. State whether or not it supports or rejects the hypothesis.