unit 1: science, technology and engineering lesson 1: “what is science” pg. 4-13
TRANSCRIPT
What is a Scientist?
• What comes to mind when you hear the word scientist?
• Take out a piece of scratch paper. In the next 5 minutes draw a picture of the “typical” scientist.
• At the bottom of your drawing, include words or phrases that you think describe what typical scientists do.
Essential Question
• By the end of this lesson, you will be able to answer the previous questions as well as tell me–How is science different from other forms of
study?
• True or False: Because they are so well educated, scientists do not need to make many observations before coming to a conclusion.
Contrast
• The pottery in the photo on pg. 5 is known for its unique appearance. This is partly because of the glaze used on it. What is one question a scientist might ask about this pottery and one question a nonscientist might ask?
• Example Questions
– Scientist: “What gives the glaze its unique shine?”
– Nonscientist: “Would this pottery go well with the furniture in my home?”
Explore
• Now please read pages 6-13 on your own. Be sure to answer questions 5-17 as you are reading.
What does Science Study?
• Science is the systematic study of natural events and conditions. It is a logical, structured way of thinking about the world.
The Natural World
• What subjects can be studied by science?
– Biology (Life Science): the study of all living things– Geology (Earth Science): studies Earth’s materials
and processes– Astronomy: study of objects in outer space– Physical Science: study of energy and all nonliving
matter, includes physics and chemistry
Are all of these branches unique?
Testable Ideas
• Can I have three volunteers read one of their responses to question 6 on pg. 6 and tell me if the question can be answered scientifically.
Testable Ideas
• ** They can be proven wrong!
• Results of scientific questions can be measured and compared
Testable Ideas
• Lets go through a few examples and determine if the questions are scientific or unscientific. – 1) What does the inside of Earth look like?– 2) Will I make the sports team?– 3) How hot is the sun?
Testable Ideas
• Lets go through a few examples and determine if the questions are scientific or unscientific. – 1) What does the inside of Earth look like?
Testable Ideas
• Lets go through a few examples and determine if the questions are scientific or unscientific. – 1) What does the inside of Earth look like?• Scientific
Testable Ideas
• Lets go through a few examples and determine if the questions are scientific or unscientific.
2) Will I make the sports team?
Testable Ideas
• Lets go through a few examples and determine if the questions are scientific or unscientific.
– 2) Will I make the sports team?
Testable Ideas
• Lets go through a few examples and determine if the questions are scientific or unscientific. – 2) Will I make the sports team?• Unscientific
Testable Ideas
• Lets go through a few examples and determine if the questions are scientific or unscientific. – 3) How hot is the sun?
Testable Ideas
• Lets go through a few examples and determine if the questions are scientific or unscientific. – 3) How hot is the sun?• Scientific
Testable Ideas
• Let’s take another look at question 2. – Will I make the team?
Can we rewrite this question so that it is testable and, therefore, scientific?
Testable Ideas
• Let’s take another look at question 2. – Will I make the team?
Can we rewrite this question so that it is testable and, therefore, scientific?
• YES! Instead we can write…– Will I make the team if I do all of my exercises?
What is a Scientific Explanation?
• A scientific question describes a natural process, and relies heavily on evidence from direct observation and testing.
• What is empirical evidence?
What is a Scientific Explanation?
• Empirical evidence is evidence gained from observation. It includes observations, measurements, and other types of data scientists gather.
• Personal feelings and opinions are NOT empirical evidence.
• Scientists must disclose all information supporting a scientific explanation.
• Furthermore, if one scientist does an experiment, another should be able to conduct the same experiment and get the same result for the explanation to be strong.
How is a Scientific Explanation Evaluated?
• After learning a scientific explanation describing a particular problem or phenomena, scientists evaluate the explanation using a series of steps.
– 1) Look at all empirical evidence supporting the explanation, including past experiences
– 2) Consider if the explanation is logical. Does it contradict anything you know?
– 3) Think of other experiments to support ideas
– 4) Evaluate the explanation. Has it stood up to logic and testing?
How is a Scientific Explanation Evaluated?
• Let’s discuss your answers to the scientific explanation of how popcorn pops on pg. 9 of your books.
How do Scientists Show Creativity?
• Although scientists rely on observations and practice logical thinking, they can be creative in designing experiments and drawing explanations from them.
In Designing Experiments
• On pg. 10, you read about a method enviornmental scientists used to detect harmful substances in drinking water.
• How does this example illustrate creativity in designing experiments?
In Designing Experiments
• How does this example illustrate creativity in designing experiments? – This example illustrates a new and original way to
detect contaminants in water without putting people in danger.
In Explaining Observations
• Creative minds can put old evidence together in new ways. New explanations are as important as new observations.
• What did Isaac Newton witness that many had seen before and how did he explain it in a new, creative way?