What is Science?
What is not Science? Science does not solve all kinds of problems. Only deals with natural world, no supernatural Scientific Theories are not guesses. They are well-tested explanations. It does not seek the truth or fact or to prove. Goal is to understand. It is not based on faith or belief.
Science is a process by which we try to understand how the natural world works. Should not be influenced by personal feelings. Can always be changed with new ways to observe and study.
Some Rules… Must test natural world (no phenomenon). Must be based on available evidence. Must be possible to disprove. Cannot be based merely on opinion or beliefs.
Limits Limited to our senses and technology “Have we observed everything?” Science can be done poorly Science can be misused
So what’s the big deal? Scientific knowledge is the most reliable knowledge we have about the natural world. It has enabled many advancements in space exploration, modern medicine, agriculture and technology.
What are the components of a good scientific experiment? Hypothesis- proposed answer to a question (what you think will happen) Independent Variable- the variable that causes a change in another, the variable that you change as the experimenter (manipulated variable) Dependent Variable- The variable that changes in response to the independent variable, the variable that you measure as the experimenter (responding variable)
What are the components of a good scientific experiment? Experimental Group- Group where you change the independent variable Control Group- Treated just like the experimental group but the independent variable is not changed. Constants- Aspects of the experiment that are kept the same between the groups.
What are the components of a good scientific experiment? Procedure- Steps for preforming the experiment Data/Results- record what happens Conclusion- Decide if your hypothesis was supported or refuted, using your data
Pseudoscience
Is defined as any of various methods, theories, or systems, as astrology, psychokinesis, or clairvoyance, considered as having no scientific basis. How do you know if it is pseudoscience? Understand the history of the claim. What is the source of the story?
Remember just because its on TV or the internet doesn’t make it real.
With the person next to you, sort the following 9 things into 3 categories: Scientific, Not Scientific, Pseudoscientific Love, Cancer, Telepathy (communication between minds), Ghosts, Weather, Stars, Religion, Witchcraft, Astrology
Answer: Scientific: Cancer, Weather, Stars Not Scientific: Religion, Love, Witchcraft Pseudoscientific: Ghosts, Telepathy, Astrology