What is Science?

Goal of Science – to investigate and understand the natural world– to explain events in the natural world– to use those explanations to make useful

predictions. Science – an organized way of using evidence to

learn about the natural world– Use the Scientific Method of solving problems

Scientific Method

An organized way of trying to find the solution to a problem.

Scientific Method of Solving Problems

1. Observation2. Problem3. Hypothesis4. Procedure5. Data6. Analysis7. Conclusion

Thinking Like a Scientist The car won’t start… My charger isn’t charging… My straightener is getting too hot… What do I wear tomorrow?... Which homework do I do first?... Who do I ask to go to Homecoming Dance with me?...

Scientists are Skeptic question existing and new hypotheses

Begin with an Observation

1. Observation

• Gather everything you have learned about your problem by observation.

• Use your senses sight and hear• touch, smell, taste should be used with

caution!• Think of ways you could design an

experiment to solve it.

Next step is… State the Problem

2. Problem

A problem is what you are trying to find out.

Remember to always write it in the form of a question.

Experiment should be repeatable by anyone in the science field

Next step is…Form your hypothesis

3. Hypothesis

A hypothesis – predicts what will happen during the experiment and as a result of the experiment•Use prior knowledge, logical assumptions, & creative imagination•Hypothesis must be: TESTABLE

Hypothesis vs Inference Inference – logical explanation

based on prior knowledge – used to predict trends

Hypothesis – proposed scientific explanation for a set of observations – used to find a solution for a problem– must be testable

Materials

List all the materials you will use

Next step is…Design an

Experiment

4. Procedure

A procedure lists the steps you will follow to test your hypothesis.

Always identify the 3 variables:Independent variableDependent variableControl

Identify the independent variable that you are testing.

This is the one thing that you are changing on purpose to test and see what will happen.

Identify the control variable the thing that stays the same during the experiment.

The dependent variable is the thing that changed because of your experiment; changes in response to the different independent variables.

Next step is…Collecting data

5. Data

Data are the changes which occur during the experiment.

Use your 5 senses to gather information that can be measured.

Controlling all variables makes for validity (legitimacy) of the data.Also helps others repeat your experiment

Organize your data in charts or graphsshould be labeled and numbered

Next step is…Analyzing data

Collect Data about Question

Quantitative data is data that is expressed in numbers.Qualitative data is descriptive and involves characteristics that can’t usually be counted.

Quantitative vs. Qualitative Weight and Height

are an example of:

The manatee seems healthy and alert is an example of:

Experiments must be Repeated several times using exactly the same conditions to see if the results are similar.

6. Analysis

An analysis uses sentences to explain your data.

Answer questions Make calculations Can use drawings to

explain your data

Next step is…Does data support or

not support the hypothesis

7. Conclusions

A conclusion uses evidence from experiment to support or not support your hypothesis

Tells what you learned from the experiment.

Talk about what went wrong in the experiment

If the conclusion supports the hypothesis…– draw conclusions on how to solve

the problem every time If the conclusion does not support

the hypothesis…– form a new hypothesis you can

test

Scientific Method

1. Observation2. Problem3. Hypothesis4. Procedure5. Data6. Analysis7. Conclusion

Theory- a well tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations

Supported by lots of experimenting by lots of scientists

Science is an ongoing process that is a self-correcting way of knowing.

Scientists:– Build on prior knowledge– Try to replicate the observations and

experiments of others to check on their conclusions

– Share information through publications, seminars, meetings, and personal communication.

Creating an Experiment Get into groups of three or four and

create a controlled experiment from the observation you see below.

Observation: ? Question: ? Hypothesis: ? Experiment: ? (Controlled) Maybe Conclusion: ?

When Experiments Are Not Possible Field studies – If a scientist wanted to

gain a better understanding of a particular organism in the wild then an experiment would be impossible.