1. Chapter #1
What is science?

2. What is science?
Section 1 (Pages 6 – 13)

3. Science
Definition: Science is a way of learning about the natural world. Science also includes all of the knowledge gained by exploring the natural world.

4. Observing
Using one or more than one of your senses to gather information.
There are two types:
Qualitative
Quantitative

5. Two types of observations
Quantitative: Which deals with numbers
Example: I have 10 fingers.
Qualitative: Deals with descriptions that cannot be described in numbers
Example: Slinky is larger than Maize.

6. What is an example of a qualitative observation in the classroom
What is an example of a qualitative observation in the classroom? What about a quantitative observation?

7. In science… When you explain or interpret things, you are OBSERVING
PREDICTING means making a forecast of what will happen next

8. Inference
An inference is an attempt to explain what is happening or has happened.
Example: Since the ground was wet this morning, I think that it rained last night.
A prediction is a forecast of what will happen.
Example: I think it is going to rain tomorrow.

9. Ms. Law came out of her house this morning to see the garbage was all over the ground and these tracks were leading to a tree. In the tree was a raccoon. What can you infer happened last night?

10. Classification
Definition: Classifying is the process of grouping together items that are alike in some way.
Classifying an object is useful because…
Helps with organization and finding things
Why is classifying important in a grocery store?

11. Models
Making models involves creating representations of complex objects or processes.

12. Why is a model of the earth useful?
The Earth is too big to look at from our perspective.

13. Scientific inquiry
Section 2 (Pages 14 – 18)

14. Scientific inquiry
Description: Scientific inquiry refers to the diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence they gather.
MUST BE TESTABLE!!!

15. Scientific inquiry Must be something that you can test.
Correct example: Spike can run faster than Bernie
Incorrect example: I think pizza is better than pasta

16. Scientific method
Steps you follow in order to try and solve a problem.
Question
Hypothesis
Experiment
Collect Data
Conclusion
Communication

17. Scientific method (continued)
Question
Hypothesis
Problem or question about an observation
Example: Why did my plant die?
Educated guess on how to answer the question
Example: I hypothesize my plant died because it was in too much sun.
Scientific method (continued)

18. Scientific method (continued)
Experiment
Data collection
Designing a way to test your hypothesis.
Example: I will put one plant in the sun all the time, and another of the same plant in a more shaded spot. method
Facts, figures and other evidence gathered through observations.
Example: The plant in the sun did not grow and the one in the shade grew 1 inch today.
Scientific method (continued)

19. Scientific Method (continued)
Conclusion
Communication
Summary of what you learned from the experiment
Example: I found that the plant in the shade grew better.
Sharing of ideas and experimental findings with others
Example: I told my mom this so her plant would not due also.
Scientific Method (continued)

20. Experiments
In an experiment you will need to make sure that all variables, or factors that can change, will be exactly the same.
So in my plant experiment, both plants would be the same plant, in the same pot, with the same soil and getting the same amount of water.

21. Experiments (continued)
An experiment in which only one variable is manipulated at a time is called a controlled experiment.
The one variable that is purposely changed to test the hypothesis is the independent variable.
The factor that may change in response to the independent variable is the dependent variable.

22. Controlled Plant experiment
Plants A and B are grown from the same packet of seeds, potted with the same soil in the same type of pots and set in the same window sill. Group A is given plan water daily and group B is given water with fertilizer.
Independent Variable:
Fertilizer in the water
Dependent Variable:
Plant Growth

23. Celery experiment
Why is this experiment considered controlled?
What is the independent variable?
What is the dependent variable?

24. Super Mice
Bart believes that mice exposed to microwaves will become extra strong (maybe he’s been reading too much Radioactive Man). He decides to perform this experiment by placing 10 mice in a microwave for 10 seconds. He compared these 10 mice to another 10 mice that had not been exposed. His test consisted of a heavy block of wood that blocked the mouse food. He found that 8 out of 10 mice of the microwaves mice were able to push the block away. 2 out of the 10 mice that were not microwaved were able to do the same.
Control: Normal Mice
Variable: Microwaved mice
Was Bart’s hypothesis correct? Explain. YES!!! They were stronger!

25. Control: Original itching powder Variable: Ultimate itching powder
Itch Powder
Krusty was told that a certain itching powder was the newest best thing on the market, it even claims to cause 50% longer lasting itches. Interested in this product, he buys the itching powder and compared it to his usual product. One test subject (A) is sprinkled with the original itching powder, and another test subject (B) was sprinkled with the Experimental itching powder. Subject A reported having itches for 30 minutes. Subject B reported to have itches for 45 minutes.
Control: Original itching powder
Variable: Ultimate itching powder
Was hypothesis correct? Explain.: Yes. Ultimate itching powder lasted 15 minutes longer!

26. Understanding technology
Section 3 Pages

27. The goal of technology is to improve the way people live!

28. What is one way technology can have a negative impact?
Pesticide can be both good and bad.
Good: Kill insects that eat crops
Bad: Pesticides can harm humans and animals

29. Technology vs. science
Technology: Changes or modifies the natural world to meet human needs or solve problems.
Science: The study of the natural world to understand how it functions.