TCAP review – chapter one

What is science Science is the knowledge gained by observing the natural world and asking questions to help gather knowledge.

Who are scientists?

Scientific Method The ways in which scientists answer questions and solve problems.

Steps to the scientific method Ask a question Make observations Make a hypothesis Design an experiment Test the hypothesis Analyze the results (data) Draw conclusions. Communicate the results.

Ask a question. Why is the sky blue? Can cancer be cured ? Why does this plant grow better in a certain type of soil? Do these bones belong to an unknown species of dinosaurs? What makes these chocolate chip cookies so good? Why do ocean currents follow a certain pattern?

Make observations. The sky is only blue during the day. Some cancers respond better to treatment than others. This soil has had fertilizer added to it. These bones are bigger than any ever found in this area. Brown sugar and regular sugar are in this recipe for chocolate chip cookies. Ocean currents move from cold areas to warm areas.

Make a hypothesis The sky is blue because light waves scatter. Breast cancer responds well to treatment because of early detection methods. Fertilizer adds nutrients to the soil. These bones are unlike those found previously in this area of the world. More sugar makes cookies taste better. Ocean currents move from areas of high temperatures to low temperatures.

Design an experiment Three parts every experiment must have: Dependent variable: A dependent variable is the variable being tested in a scientific experiment. Independent variable: An independent variable is the variable that is changed in a scientific experiment. Control group: A control group in a scientific experiment is a group separated from the rest of the experiment where the independent variable being tested cannot influence the results.

Example of independent and dependent variable A scientist is testing the effect of light and dark on the behavior of moths by turning a light on and off. The independent variable is the amount of light and the moth's reaction is the dependent variable.testing A change in the independent variable (amount of light) directly causes a change in the dependent variable (moth behavior).

Test the hypothesis

Analyze the results (data)

Draw conclusions A scientist would draw a conclusion or decide on a resulting general statement after observing, analyzing, and studying many aspects of a situation.studying

Communicate results

Scientific Models Physical models:

Scientific models Mathematical models

Scientific models Conceptual models

What is technology? Technology is the products and processes that are designed to serve our needs.

What is engineering? Engineering is the process of creating technology.

Engineering Design Process Ask: identifying and researching a need Imagine: developing possible solutions Plan: make a prototype Create: testing and evaluating Improve: modifying and retesting the solution

Engineering design process

Ask What is the need for this product? Instead of asking "what do we want to design?" we ask "why do we want to design that?" and "what problem and or need will our design ultimately be solving?" Next, we want to identify our target population, which is the group of people who will benefit from our project. Is the target population ultimately one individual, a group of individuals, a specific community, or a larger, identifiable population? Is the target population from a specific location (country, region, town), demographic (age or gender), or other identifying characteristics (health condition or employment)? How is our target population connected? Example: We need to make water proof clothing so that explores can work more effectively in areas containing water and ice.

Imagine What is a possible solution? Brainstorm ideas. Conduct research.

Plan Make a prototype. A prototype is a test model of the product.

Create Testing and evaluating. Is the cost worth the effort? (Cost benefit analysis)

Improve Modifying and retesting the solution.

Intended benefits An intended benefit is the positive purpose for which a technology is designed or used. Example: Automobile = increased mobility.

Untended consequences Untended consequences are uses or results that engineers do not purposely include in the design of the product.

Bioengineering Bioengineering is the application to living things such as humans and plants. There are two types of bioengineered products: Assistive are products that help living organisms but do not change them permanently. Adaptive are products that result in changes to living things.

Assistive bioengineered products

Adaptive bioengineered products

Tools of science Tools can be for seeing. Tools can be used for measuring. Tools can be used for analyzing.