chapter 1- the scientific endeavour

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Chapter 1The Scientific Endeavour

• What is Science?

• How do we derive scientific knowledge from the world around us?

• How does Science affect our lives?

• Does the application of scientific knowledge always benefit us?


1.1 What is Science?

1.2 How is Scientific Knowledge Derived? — Attitudes in Science

1.3 How is Scientific Knowledge Derived? — The Scientific Method

1.4 How does Science and Technology Affect our Lives?

1.5 Safety Practices during Scientific Investigations

Chapter 1 The Scientific Endeavour



At the end of this section, you should be able to answer the following questions:

Is Science only observed in the

laboratory?

What are the branches of

Science?



Lesson trigger

• The study of Science is not confined to the laboratory.

• Doing research and conducting experiments out of a laboratory allow scientists to collect data which cannot be obtained in the laboratory.

A scientist goes on a field trip to study coral reefs

Go to Think and Explore and Key Ideas (Page 4)



Practical Book Link (Page 4)

• Science is the study of the natural and physical world. • Area of study of the natural world:

• Organisms• Area of study of the physical world:

• Energy• Matter• Structure of matter and its interactions

Click here to find out about the top ten scientific fields.What other scientific fields can you name to add on to this list?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoxalyShsco

http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.eiu.totaleclipse/



At the end of this section, you should be able to answer the following question:

What are some positive attitudes that we should

have when carrying out a scientific inquiry?


Lesson trigger

• A platypus is warm-blooded and feeds its young with milk.

• However, it lays eggs instead of giving birth to its young.

• So, is a platypus considered to be a mammal? Yes

• What positive attitude in Science do you need to come up with a conclusion? Be open-minded and willing to consider all the information.

Go to Think and Explore (Page 5)



• Scientists should have the spirit of scientific inquiry.

• Good scientists:• question what they see around

them;• make observations and sense of

the data collected from their observations;

• work well with their peers; and• consider the views of others.

What are the attitudes that are useful to

scientists in their work?



This space station allows scientists to live in space while they collect the data they need for their studies.



• Mpemba’s story reflects all the attitudes that are essential in scientific inquiry.

Curiosity: Mpemba wanted to know more about the unexpected result he observed.

Open-mindedness: Mpemba was willing to accept that something could happen contrary to popular belief.

Objectivity: Mpemba

followed the facts and was

not influenced by what was

widely believed by others.

Integrity: Although others laughed at him, Mpemba never changed his observations.

Perseverance:

Mpemba stuck to the

truth until his

discovery was

proven.

Go to Key Ideas and Workbook Link (Page 7)

TRY THIS! Click here for a list of twenty essential attitudes in Science.

What are the attitudes that are

essential in scientific inquiry?

Lessons from Mpemba


http://www.ksu.edu/biology/pob/modern_attitudes.html


1.3 The Scientific Method


What are the inquiry skills we need to carry

out the scientific method?

How has Science been a human

endeavour?



• The scientific method is a systematic way of finding answers based on observing the things around us.

• The scientific method requires us to use scientific inquiry skills when we explore the world.



Here are some inquiry skills that we need in the scientific method.

1. Engaging with an event• We obtain information as we

interact with the world around us. When we encounter a puzzling situation that catches our attention, we pose questions to obtain more information and generate ideas.

• We also propose a hypothesis to form a possible explanation for the observation. This hypothesis needs to be further tested.



2. Collecting and presenting evidence• Decide on what kind of evidence

to collect. We make use of our five senses — sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch — to make observations as we collect evidence.

• We also use instruments to extend our range of senses and gather more accurate information.

• The evidence collected may be descriptive information (qualitative) or measurable information (quantitative).



3. Making meaning of information and evidence• We analyse the results of our

experiment to identify trends. This involves comparing or classifying the data obtained.

• We derive conclusion(s) based on the trends identified. We also evaluate the accuracy of the results of the experiment. If our results are inconsistent with our hypothesis, we refine our hypothesis and test it again.

Go to Practical Book Link (Page 9)

TRY THIS! Click here for an interactive laboratory that teaches you what the scientific method is. How did you apply the scientific method to solve the mystery?


http://aspire.cosmic-ray.org/labs/scientific_method/sci_method_main.html


• A scientific breakthrough is not usually achieved by one scientist alone.

• It takes the combined efforts of many scientists over many years to build the scientific knowledge we have today.

• Scientific knowledge is thus subject to changes as new observations are made and new evidence is found.

Thousands of years ago, it was not well-known that the

earth revolves around the sun, nor that other planets existed.

Science — The human endeavour



Aristotle

• A famous scientist from ancient Greece.

• He believed that the sun revolved around the earth.

Ptolemy

• An astronomer from ancient Egypt.

• He believed that the earth was the centre of the universe.

For many years, people shared the beliefs of Ptolemy and Aristotle.

Go to Science Bites (Page 10)



Nicolaus Copernicus

• A European who studied astronomy as a hobby.

• He believed that the sun was at the centre of the universe.

• He decided that the earth revolved around the sun, based on his observations.

• However, his ideas remained unpopular during his time as he could not prove his idea.

About 65 years after Copernicus’ time, the invention of the telescope led to more breakthrough in astronomy.



Galileo

• Created a more powerful telescope and was able to observe the moon better than previous astronomers.

• His observations supported Copernicus’ idea.

• People then were still not ready to accept that the sun did not revolve around the earth.

How did the works of Aristotle, Ptolemy, Copernicus and Galileo contribute to our knowledge of astronomy

today?



• The scientific method helps to ensure that astronomy is based on accurate ideas.

• Today, using a record of past observations and new discoveries, astronomers and scientists are able to predict accurately when an eclipse will occur.

When scientists build on one another’s ideas and

expertise, this may lead to even greater scientific

discoveries.

Go to Workbook Link and Key Ideas (Page 13)





How is science and technology beneficial or harmful to our society?

Why is there a need to be responsible towards our

environment and society in the use of science and

technology?

Can science and technology solve all our

problems?


Lesson trigger

‘Super carrots’ contain high levels of calcium.

• ‘Super carrots’ were created by scientists to contain high levels of calcium.

• Scientists first had to understand the Science involved in controlling the characteristics in carrots.

• The scientists then applied their knowledge to increase the calcium levels in carrots.

Go to Think and Explore and Link (Page 14)



• Technology is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes.

• For example, studies in Science explain why iron sinks in water.

• However, through technology, we can build a submarine made of iron that can float as well as sink in water.

Go to Link (Page 14)



• Advancements in technology have improved our lives but it has some disadvantages too.

• When abused, technology can cause harm to society and the environment.

• Hence, it is important that we apply scientific knowledge responsibly.

Go to Link (Page 15)

Click here to watch a video on advancements in technology.From the video, link how attitudes in Science have led to these discoveries.

Advantages and disadvantages of technology


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppLANnMqW9o&feature=related




Medicines

• Advantage: Medicines such as antibiotics help cure diseases.

• Disadvantage: May increase the risk of antibiotic-resistant ‘superbugs’.



• Advantage: Resistant to attacks by pests and disease-causing organisms.

• Disadvantage: Genes may be transferred to other wild plants during breeding.

• This may upset the balance in the ecosystem when they compete with other plants for light and space.

Pest- and disease-resistant food crops



Automobiles

• Advantage: Allows for quicker transport of people and things.

• Disadvantage: Emissions from automobiles cause air pollution.



Styrofoam • Advantage: Used to make many useful

objects such as cups and food containers due to its light weight and high heat capacity.

• Disadvantages: • Contributes to global warming during

its manufacture.• Non-biodegradable and pollutes the

environment.• Harms and kills animals that

accidentally consume it.



• Despite the many benefits of technology, it cannot solve all our problems.

• For example, technology cannot prevent natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes.

• However, technology can predict the occurrence of natural disasters, even though such predictions are not always accurate.

Go to Practical Book Link and Key Ideas (Page 16)

Click here to watch a video on the role of technology in society.From the video, state how technology can affect society negatively.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1-iiYRe5KE&feature=related





What safety procedures should we exercise when carrying out

experiments?

What types of apparatus do we use

when we carry out experiments?


Go to Think and Explore (Page 17)

Lesson trigger

How could this accident have been

prevented?



• Choosing a site (e.g. laboratory) for investigation depends on factors such as the nature of the investigation, as well as the materials involved.

• You need to be familiar with different scientific apparatus so that you can use the right apparatus safely.

Go to Science Bites (Page 17)



Throughout the lesson• Be serious at all times in the

Science laboratory. Do not play or tamper with the equipment.

• Keep your desk clean and tidy.

Before you begin the experiment• Prepare all apparatus and arrange

them such that you will not knock them over while doing the experiment.

Laboratory rules



During the experiment • Never smell or taste chemicals unless your

teacher grants permission.• Wear goggles when heating or mixing

reactive chemicals.• Never handle broken glass apparatus with

your bare hands. Inform your teacher and use a broom and dustpan to remove the broken glass.



After the experiment • Dispose of waste materials in proper

waste bins. • Never throw solids or corrosive

liquids in the sink.• Wash your hands thoroughly when

the experiment is completed.Failure to observe any of these safety precautions can lead to accidents such as a fire.



What should you do if a chemical spillage occurs?

If any chemicals spilled onto other parts of your body or clothing, wash it with plenty of water. Report the spill to your teacher.

If any chemical accidentally gets in your mouth, spit it out into a basin immediately. Rinse your mouth with plenty of water and report it to your teacher.

Report all accidents, breakage and spillage to your teacher immediately.



Hazard symbols are used to label harmful chemicals.

Here are some common hazard symbols to look out for:

ExplosiveSubstance will react violently when heated or struck.E.g. flash powder

Corrosive Substance will eat away other substances.E.g. sulfuric acid, potassium hydroxide, calcium oxide

Hazard symbols


Radioactive Substance emits radiation.E.g. radioactive carbon, uranium

Flammable Substance catches fire easily. E.g. petrol, kerosene, alcohol, hydrogen

BiohazardousPoisonous substance of a biological nature.E.g. medical waste such as blood and urine samples, micro-organism, virus or toxin



IrritantSubstance produces vapours or fumes which irritate the eyes, nose and throat.E.g. phenol, chloroform

ToxicSubstance is harmful in small doses.E.g. methanol, cyanide, mercury, carbon monoxide, chlorine

TRY THIS! Click here to try a quiz on laboratory safety practices.

Go to Key Ideas (Page 19)

Go to Practical Book and Workbook Link (Page 19)


http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=Lab-Safety-Practice-Quiz


Science

is applied for practical purposes in

Technology

Carrying out investigationsinvolves

has Limitationsand

Disadvantages

Study of the natural and physical

world

is the

• Laboratory rules• Hazard symbols• Apparatus and

equipment

requires knowledge of

involves attitudes such as

(continued on next slide)

Scientific Method

which can be carried out using the

includes skills such as

(continued on next slide)

Advantages to society

Abused by people

provides

may be

Map It


involves attitudes such as

Curiosity

Open-mindedness

Responsibility

Objectivity

Perseverance

Integrity

Creativity

includes skillssets such as

Engaging with anevent through posingquestions, formulatinghypothesis, defining the problem, generatingideas and predicting

Collecting and presenting evidence

Making meaning of information and evidence

Communication

Map It


Go to Get it Right (Page 21)

Go to Let’s Review (Page 21)

Go to Science Today (Page 23)

TRY THIS! Click here for a mini quiz on the scientific method


http://www.quizmoz.com/quizzes/Science-Quizzes/s/Scientific-Method-1-Quiz.asp


• Science is constantly evolving and scientific theories are often debunked when new research proves them to be wrong.

• They are replaced by new theories that are more complete and reliable.

• Take, for example, the cold fusion theory which postulates that a nuclear reaction can occur at room temperature instead of extremely high temperatures.

Find Out More!

http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/cold-fusion-timejpg.jpg


• It was hoped that cold fusion can provide energy that will be cheap, clean and abundant, without any of the dangerous radioactive wastes from nuclear power plants.

• However, repeated experiments by scientists never really did yield positive results that could have supported the cold fusion theory.

• Today, scientists are still trying to achieve a so-called ‘table-top nuclear reaction’, with some claiming to have successfully done so.

Click here for more info on cold fusion.What are the controversies regarding cold fusion?

Find Out More!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyNn_Z6wCIk&feature=related



chapter 1- the scientific endeavour

Documents

scientific knowledge derived

cold fusion theory

practical book link

scientific knowledge

cold fusion

scientific investigations

scientific inquiry

scientific method 1