Chapter 1: Introduction to Earth Science Section 1 – What is Science?

Thinking like a scientist Science –way of learning about the natural world AND the knowledge gained through that process Observing –using one or more of your senses to gather info (sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell)

Thinking like a scientist Inferring –explaining or interpreting the things you observe –not wildly guessing –based on reasoning –not always correct Predicting –making a forecast of what will happen in the future based on past experience or evidence

Scientific Attitudes Curiosity – ask questions Honesty – report findings truthfully Open-mindedness – accept new/different ideas Skepticism – doubt an untested idea Creativity – new ways of solving problems

the many ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence they gather 1.posing questions based on an observation, inference or curiosity 2. developing a hypothesis possible explanation for a set of observations or answer to a scientific question must be testable Scientific Inquiry

Scientific Inquiry Continued… 3. designing an experiment Controlled experiment – a test of a hypothesis under conditions established by a scientist Variable – one of the factors that can change in an experiment Manipulated variable – the variable a scientist changes Responding variable – the variable that changes because of the manipulated variable

4. Collecting and Interpreting Data Data facts, figures & other evidence gathered through observations –data table to collect/record observations –graphs to interpret data can reveal patterns/trends in data

5. Drawing conclusions Conclusion – a decision about how to interpret what you have learned from an experiment –Data may support hypothesis prove it incorrect show no conclusion can be reached results lead to new questions, new hypotheses & new experiments

6. Communicating Sharing of ideas & experimental findings with others through writing and speaking

Scientific Theories & Laws Scientific Theory a well-tested scientific concept that explains a wide range of observations –withstood repeated tests –can be changed or abandoned

Scientific Theories & Laws Scientific Law a statement that describes what scientists expect to happen every time under a particular set of conditions –describes observed pattern but doesn’t explain it repeatedly observed.