SCIENCE The goal of science is to understand the world around us. This involves curiosity. Asking questions is a start:

The Goals of Science to investigate and understand nature to explain events in nature to use those explanations to make useful predictions

Understanding Fossil Butte 50 million year old fish found at the top of Fossil Butte in Wyoming Pacific Ocean over 1000 km away How did they get there???

Before starting an experiment you can form an inference. Inference is the ability to use the information you have already obtained to help you form a hypothesis. For example: Guess what five items are in the shoebox. Use your senses.

Observation between you an your partner may vary. It can be unreliable. For example: If there were a car accident with 10 witnesses, chances are not all will agree on what happened. Do demonstration.

Observation Based on five senses: sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch Quantitative – numerical Ex- how many, how big, how fast Qualitative – descriptive Ex – color, texture, smell, behavior

If an experiment is done enough times it may become worthy of becoming a theory. A theory is a powerful, time tested concept that make useful and predictable predictions about the natural world. Example: The Big Bang Theory

A Theory in Science A very well supported hypothesis When a hypothesis has been verified many times by different scientists, it becomes a theory Redi’s, Spallanzani’s, and Pasteur’s experiments led to the theory of biogenesis (life comes from life) Theories explain phenomena in nature

Spontaneous Generation In the past, people thought life could just appear from non living matter Ex – maggots just appear on meat

Redi’s Experiment 1668 – proposed hypothesis that the maggots came from flies Tested hypothesis by placing meat in jars and covering some of the jars Everything was controlled (kept the same) except the variable (covering jars)

Redi’s Experiment Uncovered jarsCovered jars Several days pass Maggots appearNo maggots appear

Types of Variables Independent: the variable being manipulated Redi controlled the covering of the jars Dependent: the variable that changes in response to the independent variable The presence of maggots in Redi’s experiment

Spallanzani’s Experiment Tested Redi’s results Boiled to kill microorganisms What are the independent and dependent variables?? Gravy is boiled. Flask is open. Gravy is teeming with microorganisms. Gravy is boiled. Flask is sealed. Gravy is free of microorganisms.

Pasteur's Experiment Provided final proof that spontaneous generation did not occur

Broth is boiled.Broth is free of microorganisms for a year. Curved neck is removed. Broth is teeming with microorganisms. Section 1-2 Figure 1-11 Pasteur’s Experiment Go to Section: Pasteur's Experiment

What was Pasteur’s hypothesis? Microorganisms would not just appear Independent variable? Curved neck of flask Dependent variable? Presence of microorganisms

Scientific facts are known to absolutely true after hundreds of repetitive trials of an experiment. Fact: The world is round.

Myths: legends that express basic beliefs (made up stories that may be believed) There are sewer fairies in the sewers of Las Vegas.

EXAMPLE OF A LAB WRITE-UP 1. Define problem: Why do leaves change color? 2. Research: (Collect 5 sentences about the subject being studied. These must be in complete sentences, in your own words, and from an outside source).

3. Hypothesis: (Form an educated guess)

Hypothesis (Form an educated guess) Logical, testable, tentative explanation for a set of observations or a possible answer to a scientific question Arise from prior knowledge, logical inferences, or imaginative guesses

Testing hypotheses Can be done through further observation Usually done through controlled experiments A hypothesis proven to be wrong still adds to the body of scientific knowledge

4. Experiment: (Also known as the procedure) a. Place four different trees into four separate environments. 1. Cold with daily decreasing light. 2. Room temperature with uniform light from day to day. 3. Cold with uniform light. 4. Room temperature with daily decreasing light.

Types of Variables Independent: the variable being manipulated Dependent: the variable that changes in response to the independent variable

Variables: LIGHT TEMPERATURE (Those factors actually causing there to be change)

Experimental setup: The part that will actually change. In this case the tree that loses color in its leaves.

Control setup: The part that does not do any changing at all because it is present to use as a comparison of what is “normal”.

5. Results: Data recorded on a graph(collection of info from lab)

6. Conclusion: (Explain results). Temperature alone does not determine how many leaves don’t stay green. Decreasing day light also affected the variables.

ntific_method/index.cfm ntific_method/index.cfm This will take you through the steps of the scientific method, set by step.

List of Equipment: A. Hand lens or magnifying glass

B. Dissecting pan

C. Dissecting pins

D. Forceps (tweezers)

E. Dissecting scissors

F. Probe

G. scalpel

H. Safety goggles

I. Triple beam balance

J. Graduated cylinder

K. Test tube

L. Beaker

M. Test tube holder

N. Bunsen burner

O. Medicine dropper

P. Pipette

Q. Microscope

R. Glass slide

S. Cover slip

T. Petri dish

U. Thermometer

V. Funnel

W. Metric ruler