What is Science?

Learning Target:Students will know the

terminology used in science.● Science, Observation, Data, Inference,

Hypothesis, Quantitative Data, Qualitative Data, Theory, Control variable, Manipulated variable, Responding variable, Controlled experiment

Tuesday 9/9/14

WHAT IS SCIENCE?● Definition:

● Science is a way of using evidence (data/observations) to understand the natural world

● Science that follows a process, which allows for questions to be answered using results (data/observations)

● Errors in the experiment are minimal (controlled experiment)

● List 4 Characteristics:● Testable hypothesis, clear procedure, easily identified

variables, hypothesis answers research question or explains problem

● What is the goal (purpose) of science?● Investigate and understand the natural world; explain

events, and use those explanations to make predictions

WHAT DO WE START WITH?

● A question.

● A problem.

● Some event or phenomena that needs an explanation.

SO NOW WE HAVE QUESTION/PROBLEM…HOW DO WE FIND THE ANSWER?

● Scientific Method (list and explain the steps)● Identify problem

● Write a research question

● Write a hypothesis that ANSWERS the question

● Explain the procedure to test the hypothesis

● Display and explain results, write observations

● Write conclusions of observation and results

●Designing an experiment●Ask a question

●Form a hypothesis (prediction & reason)●If…then…because

●Set up a controlled experiment●manipulated – variable that is changed●responding – variable that reacts to the change●controlled – variables (need 2) that stay the same

●Record and Analyze Results

●Determine if your experiment is reliable and valid.●Reliability -- The results in an experiment are repeatable●Validity -- How well does the data answer the experiment question?

●Draw a conclusion

●Publish/Repeat experiment

I have a problem…

● Problem: My car won’t start.

● Design an experiment to figure out how I can discover why my car won’t start.

● Write a question, hypothesis, and a brief procedure

● What will the results show us? What is our conclusion?

Vocabulary: Chapter 1.1-1.2

● Science, Observation, Data, Inference, Hypothesis, Quantitative Data, Qualitative Data, Theory

● Control variable, Manipulated variable, Responding variable, Controlled experiment

Learning Target:Students will know and apply the

principles of designing an experiment.

Learning Outcome:Complete the Pillbug Lab Write-Up

including drawing of pillbug, graphing, reliability and validity.

Friday 9/12/14

Is it Alive?

Mr. Maher’s New Pet• In your notes write down what you observe

about Mr. Mahler’s new pet. Be detailed in describing what you see. If you must, draw a picture.

• Share your observations with your neighbor.

• In your opinion is Mr. Mahler’s pet alive?

What is Alive?

• How do you decide if something is alive? How do you know?

• Take a minute and write down your thoughts.

What makes something a living organism?

● Biology is the study of living organisms

● Living things share eight characteristics

1. Living things are made up of cells.

●Unicellular●One cell

●Multicellular●Many cells

●Humans have over 85 different types of cells!

2. Living things reproduce.

●Sexual – 2 different cells unite

●Asexual – single parent, cell divides in half (bacteria)

3. Living things are based on a universal genetic code.

DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid

4. Living things grow and develop.

● differentiation – cells look different and perform different functions.

● Nerve cells, muscle cells, skin cells, liver cells

5. Living things obtain and use materials and energy.

●Metabolism – the building up or breaking down materials to carry out life processes.

6. Living things respond to their environment.

●Stimulus – a signal to which an organism responds.●Examples: Temperature, Light

7. Living things maintain a stable internal environment.

Homeostasis – the ability to keep internal conditions constant.

8. Living things, taken as a group, change over time.

●Evolution – change over time.

Scientific Skills● Things scientists have to be able to do include…

● 1. Observation – gather info in an orderly way.

2. Collect data● Quantitative – numbers● Qualitative – descriptive

● 3. Data allows us to make inferences – interpreting our data using our prior knowledge.

● 4. Hypothesis – An explanation for a set of observations. “educated guess” 

After multiple experiments (investigations)….

● When evidence from numerous investigations builds up; a hypothesis may become so well supported that we call it a theory.

● Theory – WELL TESTED explanation that unifies or explains a broad range of observations.

● A testable statement about how nature operates● Many theories are so well established that it is very unlikely that

any new evidence will alter them significantly, but they can be modified and improved

 ● Examples:

● Heliocentric Theory (Earth revolves around the sun)● Atomic Theory (all matter composed of atoms)● Cell Theory (all living things made of cells)● Evolutionary Theory (organisms change over time)

Microscopes!● A device we use to magnify images we can’t see

with our eyes

● Light – magnify by focusing visible light● Samples are placed on slides to be observed

● Electron – magnify by focusing beams of electrons. Require a vacuum to operate so they can only look at preserved specimens.

● Scanning electron microscope (SEM) – electrons scan the surface. 3-D images

● Transmission electron microscope –electrons shine through a specimen. Internal detail.

Microscope Examples

A-D Scanning Electron Microscope E Transmission Electron Microscope

F Light Microscope

Can you identify which type of microscope took pictures A-F?