THE NATURE OF SCIENCE -The Scientific Method -Technology – Using Science to Explore

Vocabulary Science-the study of the world around and the processes we use to study it. Scientific method -an organized and sequential approach taken to try to solve a problem and involves: 1)stating the problem; 2)forming a hypothesis; 3)testing the hypothesis; 4)analyzing the data; and 5)drawing conclusions Hypothesis-a prediction about a problem that can be tested. Can be based on new info, observations, personal experience (if/then) Theory-an explanation of why or how something happens. No theory is completely proven and might change as new information is gathered, or as old ideas are looked at in a different way Law-a statement of what happens, such as Newton’s third law of motion, which states that for every action force, there is an equal but opposite reaction force Control-a standard used to compare results in an experiment. No independent variable is applied Independent variable -the variable that is changed or manipulated Dependent variable -the variable that is measured or observed Constant-a variable that remains the same in an experiment Graph-a diagram that shows the relationship of one variable to another—it makes interpreting results easier

What you will learn in Chap 1 You will learn what science is You will learn how to use a scientific method in problem solving You will learn why we use a scientific method to solve problems You will learn how science and technology are related You will learn how technology enables scientists to study places that cannot be observed directly

Science and Scientists What is science? –A process used to study the world and provide you with answers What is a scientist? –Lab Coat and pocket protector? –Limited to one time period, one gender, one culture or race? –Commonalities: Sometimes make discoveries while pursuing a hobby Use a scientific method to try to solve a problem Curiosity about things they don’t know –Could explorers be scientists? Use their skills to answer those questions and solve problems Skills: –Scientists question the answers –Find patterns –Use facts to uncover larger mysteries –Use technology (tools) to study science –Take measurements –Make observations »Observations were once based only on human senses »Technology helps us make more accurate observations –Classify –Test hypotheses –Comparing and contrasting

The Scientific Method The Scientific Method is a form of scientific inquiry that is a sequential organized way to investigate a problem. You will be using a Scientific Method (Controlled Experiment) as you do your Science Fair ProjectScience Fair Project The basic steps are: STATING THE PROBLEM Gathering information on the problem Begin with “prior knowledge” FORMING A HYPOTHESIS TESTING THE HYPOTHESIS Plan the experiment Do the experiment Do multiple trials of the experiment ANALYZING THE DATA STATING THE CONCLUSION Repeating the work Communicating the results

Variables When a scientist conducts an experiment, he is looking for change and a reason for the change. He can only test for one change at a time, so he can only vary one ingredient or factor at a time. The factors in an experiment are called the variables and they consist of: –The independent variable, or the factor that is changed –The dependent variable, or the factor that is measured –The constants, or the factors that stay the same throughout the experiment, –The control, or standard that you use for measurement of change

Analyzing Your Data Design your data table before you gather your data –Quantitative data are numbers and measurements such as temperature, length, mass –Qualitative data are descriptions such as color, patterns A quantitative data table is organized in rows and columns –The first column describes the contents of each row –Headings are across the top –The table always has a title Data from your study should be taken from your data table and displayed as a graph, which may show a pattern or trendgraph Time Temperature © Average Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 0 (ice added) Temperature of a Cup of Water with Ice

DRAWING CONCLUSIONS Your Conclusion may or may not agree with your hypothesis If it does support your hypothesis, you can INFER (conclude after observing) that this result is true. If it does NOT support your hypothesis, this does not mean that the experiment was a failure—you just learned what doesn’t happen. –You continue to gather information and revise your hypothesis Next you communicate your findings. –Scientists publish their work so other scientists can share their knowledge and methods

SAFETY AND ETHICS Safety precautions such as your lab safety rules must be followed Besides keeping yourself safe, you must be careful with any subjects, human or animal, that you use in your study. –Human subjects must be fully informed of any risks and/or benefits of the investigation –Animals must be treated in a humane manner –The public must not be put at risk Example: Hazardous waste must be disposed of properly