1. The Nature of Science
Chapter 1-1
Science 8

2. Science in Society What is science?
Science—way or a process used to investigate what is happening around you
Helps solve problems
Helps answer questions

3. Is science new? Science is not new
People throughout history have tried to explain things happening around them

4. How do people find answers to questions in daily life?
Start with a problem to solve
Look for clues
Find answers

5. Using Prior Knowledge What steps do scientists take to form theories?
Use prior experience
Test predictions
Form theories when predictions have been well tested
More than one time

6. Using Science & Technology
What can science lead to?
Technology—application of science to make products or tools that people can use
Computers
Cell phones
MP3
DVD
Wii

7. What are some resource materials scientists use to find information?
Books
Newspapers
Magazines
Videos
Web pages

8. What scientific skills do scientists use?
Observation—what you learn through your senses
Inference—how you explain what you observe
Measurement
Comparing/contrasting
Alike/different
Classifying
Grouping based on characteristics

9. Observation Inference Use of your five senses Can use instruments
What do you see?
What do you feel?
What do you hear?
What do you taste?
What do you smell?
Can use instruments
Thermometer, meterstick, balances
Inference
Attempt to explain your observations
Must use accurate data and observations

10. Observation vs. Inference
Using your five senses
What do you see?
What do you feel?
What do you hear?
What do you smell?
What do you taste?
Inference
An attempt to explain or interpret obsservations
What caused what you observed

11. Observation or Inference
The candle is red.
The candle is using oxygen.
The flame is yellow.
The wax is dripping down the side of the candle.
The flame is giving off carbon dioxide.
The candle is 4 inches high.

12. The clouds are dark.
It is going to rain.
The rock has sharp edges.
The rock has holes.
The rock was formed near the Earth’s surface
The lake temperature is 18 degrees.
The steaming water is hot.

13. What information should be included in science journals?
Observations
Procedures followed
Materials/equipment
Results of investigations
Measurements
Problems that occurred
Data, tables, charts, graphs