Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.1 What is science? Grade 7 Unit 1 : Lesson #1

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.2 What you’ll learn  Vocabulary:  Science  Technology  Theory  Understand how science is a part of our daily life.  Learn about the various skills and tools used in science.  Why it is important?  What and how we learn in science can be applied to other areas of our life.

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.3 Science 3  Science is a way to investigate the happenings around us. It can provide possible answers to the questions, or problems that we might have regarding the way things work.  Scientists used their sense of sight, touch, smell and taste to make observations. Based on the observations made, they tried to explain and answer the questions people had about what was happening around them.  Although our senses can tell a great deal of information about the world around us, it cannot answer every question. Senses can be misleading many a times. How cold is cold? How tall is tall?

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.4 Try this! 4  What can be misleading many times while making observations? A. Science B. Senses C. Both D. None of the above Answer: B

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.5 Science 5  Observations can be described using numbers.  For example: Tools such as meter sticks and thermometers can be used to give numbers to descriptions.  We must observe, investigate, and experiment to find out answers just as scientists do.

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.6 Try this! 6  Mention a few skills scientists use to out answers. Answer: Scientists observe, investigate, and experiment to find out answers.

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.7 Using Science every day 7  Science is a part of everyone’s life. Scientists use clues to track the source of a problem and solve them.  For example: During the outbreak of Cholera epidemic in 1871, soon after the Civil War, people followed clues to track the source of the epidemic and solve their problem. The epidemic killed ten people and made more than 50 others ill. Cholera is a disease caused by a bacterium found in contaminated water. People who drink this water or eat food made from this water have bad cases of diarrhea and can become dehydrated very quickly.

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.8 Using prior knowledge 8  When solving a problem, it is very important to collect all background information. We can use information from different sources such as books, written articles, letters and videotapes in the library, or the internet.  Scientists use prior experience to predict what might happen in investigations. They form theories only when their predictions have been well tested by conducting experiments and investigations.

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.9 Theory 9  A theory is an explanation supported by facts. Scientists use theories to form laws which are rules that describes a pattern in nature, such as the law of gravity.

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.10 Try this! 10  What is a theory? Answer: A theory is an explanation supported by facts.

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.11 Using Science and Technology 11  Technology is the application of science to make products and tools that people can use. The computer is an example of technology. It is one of the tools that modern scientists use to find out and analyze data. Andrew can use a computer to find books, magazines, newspapers, videos, and web pages that have the information she needs. Thanks to technology which helped me find out the information easily. Andrew is trying to compare how the source of cholera was tracked in 1871 with how they are tracking down the source of E. Coli bacterium outbreak in their town. Although some types of E. coli are harmless, others can cause intestinal problems when contaminated food and water are consumed. Andrew has to use various skills and tools to find out the similarities and differences. He would need a variety of resource materials to find out the information.

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.12 Try this! 12  ________ is the use of knowledge to make products that people can use. Answer: Technology

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.13 Science skills 13  Observing, measuring, comparing and contrasting are the three skills commonly used in science. The more we practice these three skills, the better we will become at using them.  The three skills – observing, measuring, comparing and contrasting, have to be used in combination. Many a times, observation alone does not provide a complete picture of what is happening. To ensure that the data is useful, accurate measurements must be taken, in addition to making careful observations.  For example: To find the similarities and differences in the disease tracking techniques used in the late 1980’s and today, we must use the comparing and contrasting skill. Looking for similarities among the available techniques is comparing while looking for differences in the available techniques is contrasting.

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.14 Communication in Science 14  The results of observations, experiments, and investigations will be of no use until they are shared with the rest of the world.  Scientists use several methods to communicate their observations. They publish the results and conclusions of experiments in scientific journals and magazines. They also spend a large part of their time reading the articles in the journals.  Many a times, scientists discover information that might lead to new experiments. Source: portal.unesco.org/.../sc_newsletters.jpg

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.15 Science journal 15  A science journal can be used to record observations, and plans for investigations. A journal must be used to record the following during an experiment or an investigation: 1. Details of all the steps followed while conducting an experiment or an investigation. 2. Listing of materials and drawings along with how the equipment was set up. 3. Mathematical measurements and formulas used to analyze the data. 4. Specific results of the experiment or investigation. 5. Problems that occurred and questions that came up along with their possible solutions. 6. Summary of data in the form of tables, charts, graphs, or paragraphs. It is always important to use correct spelling and grammar in the Science Journal.

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.16 Try this! 16  What are the various things that must be recorded in a science journal? Answer: A science journal must have details of all the steps followed while conducting an experiment or an investigation, equipment setup including the drawings and materials used, formulas and mathematical measurements used to analyze the data, results, problems and questions with their possible answers and summary of data.

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.17 Summary 17  Science is a process that can be used to answer questions or solve problems.  Science is a part of everyone’s life. Scientists use clues to track the source of a problem and solve them.  When solving a problem, it is very important to collect all background information.

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.18 Summary 18  Information can be got from a variety of sources such as books, journals, magazines from the library and the internet.  A theory is an explanation supported by facts.  Technology is the application of science to make products and tools that people can use.  Observing, measuring, comparing and contrasting are the three skills commonly used in science.

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.19 Summary 19  Communication is an important part of all aspects of science.  Scientists use science journals to publish the results and conclusions of experiments. They also spend a large part of their time reading the articles in the journals. Many a times, scientists discover information that might lead to new experiments.  A science journal can be used to record observations, and plans for investigations.

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.20 Critical thinking activity 20  How is a Science Journal a valuable tool for scientists?

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.21 Assessment 21  Explain why scientists use tools such as thermometers and meter sticks when they make observations. Answer: Scientists use tools such as meter sticks and thermometers to describe their observations using numbers.

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.22 Assessment 22  Mention the different sources of information that can be used to solve a problem. Answer: The different sources of information that can be used to solve a problem are written articles, letters, videotapes, books from the library, and the internet.

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.23 Assessment 23  What are the different skills used in science? Answer: Observing, measuring, comparing and contrasting are the three skills commonly used in science.

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.24 Assessment 24  How is science different from technology? Answer: Science is a process that can be used to answer questions or solve problems. It does not have a practical use unless it is applied in the field of study. Technology is the application of science to make products and tools that people can use.

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.25 Assessment 25  Give one example of technology Answer: The computer is an example of technology. It is one of the tools that modern scientists use to find out and analyze data.

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.26 Assessment 26  What are some of the ways to summarize data from an investigation? Answer: Data from an investigation may be summarized in the form of tables, charts, graphs, or paragraphs.

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.27 Assessment 27  Match the following terms with their definitions. Theory A process that can be used to answer questions or solve problems. TechnologyIt is an explanation supported by facts. ScienceIt is the use of knowledge to make products

Assessment 28  When do scientists form theories? Answer: Scientists form theories only when their predictions have been well tested.

Assessment 29  What are the different ways to test a theory? Answer: Conducting experiments and investigations are some of the ways a theory can be tested.

Assessment 30  A _____ can be used to record observations, and plans for investigations. Answer: Science Journal

Practice 31  When trying to solve a problem, why do scientists collect information about what is already known?

Copyright © Ed2Net Learning, Inc.32 Thank You! 32