Ch. 1 - The Nature of Science Defining Science Problem-Solving Scientific Method Experimental Design

1.1 Science is Everywhere

A. Defining Science Pure Science research that adds to the body of scientific knowledge has no practical use Learning about the eye Applied Science (Technology) the practical application of scientific knowledge Glasses, contacts

A. Defining Science PURE APPLIED human genetics polymer science atomic theory study of the human ear APPLIED DNA fingerprinting Lycra® spandex nuclear weapons hearing aids

A. Defining Science Life Science the study of living organisms Earth Science the study of Earth and space Physical Science the study of matter and energy chemistry & physics

A sticky Story Turn to page 7. In the margin of your notes write “Sticky Story” Read “A Sticky Story” Answer the “think critically” question that follows in your notes.

Finding Out / Exploring Science 1.2, 1.4 Finding Out / Exploring Science

B. Problem-Solvin g 1. Identify the problem. What do you know? What do you need to know? 2. Plan a strategy. Look for patterns. Break the problem into smaller steps. Develop a model.

Identify - Plan - Execute - Evaluate B. Problem-Solving 3. Execute your plan. 4. Evaluate your results. Did you solve the problem? Is your answer reasonable? Identify - Plan - Execute - Evaluate

C. Scientific Method Hypothesis - testable prediction Theory - explanation of “why” based on many observations & experimental results Scientific Law - prediction of “what” describes a pattern in nature

THEY ARE NOT SET IN STONE! C. Scientific Method Theories and laws are well-accepted by scientists, but... THEY ARE NOT SET IN STONE! They are revised when new information is discovered.

C. Scientific Method 1. Determine the problem. 2. Make a hypothesis. 3. Test your hypothesis. 4. Analyze the results. 5. Draw conclusions.

C. Scientific Method 1. Determine the problem. When the Titanic sank, what happened to the water level on shore? 2. Make a hypothesis. The water level rose. The water level dropped. The water level stayed the same.

C. Scientific Method 3. Test your hypothesis. 4. Analyze the results. How could we test our hypothesis? 4. Analyze the results. What happened during our test? 5. Draw conclusions. Was our hypothesis correct? Is further testing necessary?

D. Experimental Design Experiment - organized procedure for testing a hypothesis Key Components: Control - standard for comparison Single variable - keep other factors constant Repeated trials - for reliability

D. Experimental Design Types of Variables Independent Variable adjusted by the experimenter what you vary Dependent Variable changes in response to the indep. variable what you measure

Popcorn Experiment Did you hear that storing your popcorn in the freezer will help it pop better?

D. Experimental Design Hypothesis: Storing popcorn in the freezer makes it pop better. Control: Popcorn stored at room temp.

D. Experimental Design Single variable: Storage temperature Constants: Popcorn brand Freshness Storage time Popper

D. Experimental Design Independent Variable: Storage temperature Number of unpopped kernels