What is Science? Chapter 1 Section 1

Standard S.6.7  Students will begin their study of Earth science by understanding that all scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations to try and answer the questions.

Anticipatory Set

Language of the Discipline  Science  Observing  Inferring  Predicting  Scientific inquiry  Hypothesis  Controlled environment  Variable  Manipulated Variable  Responding Variable  Data  Scientific Theory

Thinking Like a Scientist (Input)  Science is a way of learning about the natural world.  Scientists use skills to study the natural world  Observing  Inferring  Predicting

Observing (Input)  Definition- using one or more of your senses to gather information.  Sight  Hearing  Touch  Taste  Smell

Interring (Input)  Definition- explain or interpret the things you observe.  You DO NOT guess!  It is based on the facts (reasoning) you already know!  They are not ALWAYS correct.

Predicting (Input)  Definition- making a forecast of what will happen in the future based on past experiences or evidence.  Should ALWAYS be based on scientific evidence!!!  Always used in the context of a scientists’ past experience.  If, on a sunny afternoon, you observe a massive line of large, dark clouds quickly advancing on your area, what prediction would you make?

Scientific Inquiry (Input)  Definition- refers to the many ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence they gather.  It will begin with a problem or question about an observation.  Hypothesis is a possible explanation for a set of observations or answer to a scientific question.

Sequoia (Input)  They require fire in order for the seeds to sprout.  The fires did not kill the largest trees, but the space between them.  The fire also exposes bare soil.  Seeds would fall from the cones and they would grow where there was sunlight and nutrients.  Question: What intensity of fire would produce the greatest increase in Sequoia seedlings?  A Controlled burn

Experiment (Input)  Scientists then have to design an experiment based on their question.  They want to use a controlled experiment  Definition- a test of a hypothesis under conditions established by scientists.  How does it affect the outcome?  Variable- one of the factors that can change the experiment

Variables (Input)  Manipulated (Independent)- the variable (or thing) the scientists changes.  Responding (dependent)- the variable that changes because of the manipulated variable.  Manipulated: Burn intensity  Responding: The growth of the Sequoia Seedlings

Data (Input)  Definition- the facts, figures and other evidence gathered through observations.  Data tables organize and record observations  Example: pg. 10  What percent of trees will grow after a moderate-intensity burn?

Conclusions (Input)  After you have collected your data, you draw a conclusion about your prediction (hypothesis).  Definition- a decision about how to interpret what you have learned from the experiment.  It will either agree or disagree with your hypothesis  It is ok if it disagrees!  Sometimes no conclusion can be reached

Conclusions Continued…(Input)  Communicating results  Sharing of ideas and experimental findings with others through writing and speaking.  Meetings  Exchange information on the Internet  Publish articles in a scientific journal  After you solve a problem, it does not normally end….  Often times the experiment is repeated to make sure it is accurate.

Scientific Theory (Input)  Definition- a well tested scientific concept that explains a wide range of observations.  If it is an “accepted theory” it means that it has been tested several times  If a test fails, the scientists change the theory or abandon it.

Scientific Law (Input)  Scientific Law- a statement that describes what scientists expect to happen every time under a particular set of conditions.  Normally repeated and still true

Check for Understanding  1. What is the scientific term for when you explain or interpret the things that you observe?

#1 Answer  Inferring

Checking for Understanding  2. A ____________________ is one of the factors that can change in an experiment.

Answer #2  A Variable

Checking For Understanding  3. After you have gathered and interpreted your data, you can draw a ___________________ about your hypothesis.

Answer #3  A Conclusion

GP and IP  Guided Practice  #1-3  Stop!!! Must have a stamp to move on!  Independent Practice  #4-6  Homework  #7- end