1. What is Science
SCIENCE: Is using evidence to learn about the natural world
The Goal of Science
1.) Deals only with the natural world
2.) To collect and organize data
3.) Propose explanations that can be tested

2. What is Biology? Biology (bio = life and –ology = The study of)
Biology = The study of life!

3. Scientific Method
“One of the best ways to begin science is to examine how scientist try to solve problems or answer questions”

5. Observing & Asking Questions
Science ALWAYS begins by observing and asking questions
Example: Do plants with more light grow better than plants with less light?
Other Possible Questions?

6. Hypothesizing
Hypothesis- is a statement that both explains your observations and data and must be testable
Create an “if-then” Prediction
IF the plants receive more light THEN they will grow larger.

7. Experimenting Most experiments are controlled experiments
Parts to a controlled experiment
Controlled group (standard or normal)
Experimental group
Independent variable (one factor you change)
Control Variable (factors we keep the same)
Dependent variable (depends on the independent Variable)

8. Control Group
Control Group: The normal or the group that we compare our experimental group to. (example: The normal plant that is by the normal amount of light)

9. Control Variables Variable that do not change in an experiment
Examples
Soil
Pots
Plants
Amount of Water

10. Independent Variable The Variable you change
The amount of light the plants receive
Placed on the X axis on a graph

11. Dependent Variable
The Variable that is measured (Depends on the independent Variable)
The height of the plants
Placed on the Y axis on a graph

12. Collecting Data Longest phase of a scientific investigation.
Data includes any and all information that scientist gather in trying to answer their question.
All data must be measureable (metric system used in science)

13. What is DATA Two types of data 1.) Quantitative data = NUMBERS
2.) Qualitative data = DESCRIPTIVE WORDS

14. Drawing Conclusions
Analyzing your data so that you can determine if your hypothesis was correct or incorrect.
Forming a theory. A theory is NOT a “wild guess” it is NOT a hypothesis, but rather a statement of what is thought to be true.
A theory is supported by evidence.

15. What They Found
Plants with more light grew better than plants with less light
Plants in Closet
Plants near window
Plants outside

16. Try This
Bart believes that mice exposed to radiowaves will become extra strong (maybe he's been reading too much Radioactive Man). He decides to perform this experiment by placing 10 mice near a radio for 5 hours. 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 of the radiowaved mice were able to push the block away. 7 out of 10 of the other mice were able to do the same.
Identify the-
11. Control Group
12. Independent Variable
13. Dependent Variable
14. What should Bart's conclusion be?