1. 4/25/2017
Lesson 1-1
Nature of Science

2. an organized process for investigating the world around us
4/25/2017
What is Science?
What do we “DO”
When we’re performing science ? (share ideas)
QUESTIONS
Communicate
Observe
Define scope of a Problem
Form a testable Question
Research the known
Clarify an expected Result
Examine Results
Perform Experiments (repeat to verify)
Reflect on Findings
an organized process for investigating the world around us

3. Branches of Science
Life
biology
Earth
geology
Physical
chemistry

4. Scale Microscopic Macroscopic Global too small to see with your eyes
Can see with your eyes
Global
Too big to see with your eyes

5. Types of Scientific Knowledge
Observations (empirical data)
anything you can see, hear, taste, touch, or smell
Qualitative = description without numbers
Quantitative = description using measurements and numbers
Inferences: ideas, intuition, understanding - based on data
Hypothesis: A testable “If, Then, Because” prediction
Theory
A scientific theory represents a hypothesis, or a group of related hypotheses, which has been confirmed through repeated experimental tests, and best explains all data and predicts future activities.
A well substantiated explanation which best explains the scientific data.
Scientific Law
Description of how natural phenomenon will occur under certain circumstances

6. An Experiment: Testing the Hypothesis
Problem – a question to answer or problem to solve
A “Hypothesis”
an “If, Then, Because” prediction of future events
Based on existing knowledge and observations
Which can be tested in an experiment
An “Experimental Control”
the situation as you originally observed it
Manipulated Variable(s) is (are) absent or at lowest level
Compare results from treatment groups
One or more variables or treatments (changes to the control situation)
Manipulated – what is changed by the scientist – independent variable
Response – what is measured – dependent variable
Constants – conditions that stay the same each time the experiment is tried
Uncontrolled – conditions that cannot be controlled
A Well Planned Experiment Has Two Possible Outcomes
Hypothesis Supported
Hypothesis Rejected

7. Reporting Scientific Experiments: The Scientific Method
When reporting the results of an experiment, we follow the guidelines of the “Scientific Method”
Scientific Method - PHERC
Problem
Hypothesis
Experiment
Results
Conclusion
What are some benefits of writing reports arranged in this sequence?

8. Scientific Process Diagram from “An Activity Model for Scientific Inquiry” William Harwood, The Science Teacher Vol. 71, No. 1, Pg , January 2004