1. Welcome to Biology Honors
I. Introductions!
Follow instructions on board with your partner.

2. II. Scientific Method Some Definitions
1. Science: investigation of rational concepts that can be tested using observation and experimentation
-- defined by method of investigation
-- limited to the study of physical universe
-- must be amenable to experimentation.

3. II. Scientific Method Some Definitions 1. Science
2. Scientific Method: formal way of asking and
answering questions in science
-- common to all fields of science

4. II. Scientific Method After anyone touches switch, lights come on
Hey, can you turn off the
light the same way?
Does the switch on the wall control the lights?
Flip the switch!
Flipping the switch turns on the lights.

5. II. Scientific Method Some Definitions 1. Science 2. Scientific Method
3. Hypothesis: any proposed explanation for an
observed phenomenon, used for further exploration
-- not a guess, as it is based on prior knowledge
-- generally stated as a testable fact

6. II. Scientific Method
So, the scientific method deals with formulating and testing hypotheses. Things to remember:
1. Science is limited to the physical universe – does not include supernatural forces. Anything that can't be tested by observation. and experimentation. is not science, by definition
2. Doing science = uncovering rules that govern physical universe (vs. facts) when testing hypotheses. We assume that a given set of physical conditions will produce a consistent result

7. II. Scientific Method Some Definitions
How do we test hypotheses in Science?
-- by the rejection of alternative hypotheses
-- no such thing as proof, only evidence.
-- pose reasonable alternative hypotheses (often includes a null hypothesis proposing no effect).
-- design experiment that can discriminate or disprove alternate hypotheses.
-- experiments should basically disprove all hypotheses but one.

8. II. Scientific Method Some Definitions
How do we test hypotheses in Science?
Let’s consider another light example -- a light that does not go on when we flip the switch. We might suspect that either the lamp or the bulb is bad. A good test would be to move that bulb to another lamp in the same room and try it again. If again the light does not go on, have we proven that the bulb, rather than the lamp, is bad?
No, there are other possible explanations. For example, the power could be out. We have simple eliminated the hypothesis that only that lamp is bad.
Another similar example is the earth and sun -- who goes around whom?

9. II. Scientific Method
Perhaps a better example is the earth and sun -- who goes around whom?
If we assume that the sun goes around the earth once a day, we can make some predictions about when the sun will rise and set that hold up pretty well. We could also even develop a way to explain seasons, by simply having the sun take an erratic course around the earth.
So, does this mean that the sun does go around the earth?

10. II. Scientific Method Some Definitions
How do we test hypotheses in Science?
-- in short, the problem is that with deductive logic you can get the right answer (a successful prediction) for the wrong reason.
Therefore a more conservative method is favored
the rejection of hypotheses that give rise to
inaccurate predictions.
Nothing is ever proven, only disproved.
Science must always be open to new ideas, new
alternative hypotheses.

11. II. Scientific Method Some Definitions
How do we test hypotheses in Science?
Why learn the scientific method?
-- it is necessary to make responsible decisions about the world around you.

12. II. Scientific Method Experiment 1: Folding Paper Experiment 2: m&m’s
Clean-up!