Chapter One The Nature of Science

1. Chapter OneThe Nature of Science

2. Section 1What is Science? Definiton – Science is the process used to investigate what is happening around us in order to solve problems or answer questions.

3. Who uses science? • Scientists • Engineers • Doctors, nurses, and all professions in the medical field • Soldiers • Computer designers and programmers • The list goes on and on… But most importantly…

4. YOUuse scienceevery day!

5. “Science is the process used to investigate what is happening around us in order to solve problemsoranswer questions.” • We often see something and wonder “How does that work?” or “Why does that do that?” • How would you go about answering those questions?

6. “Science is the process used to investigate what is happening around us in order to solve problemsoranswer questions.” • Scientists observe, investigate, and experiment to find answers. • Scientists also use prior knowledge to predict what will occur in investigations. • Technology is the application of science to make products or tools that people can use.

7. What is Science? • Where can you find science or its results? • Is science important in your life? • Why should you study science?

8. Communication in Science • Thousands of scientific journals and magazines report the results and conclusions of experiments every year. • You can also keep scientific data and results in a Science Journal.

9. Skills that are commonly used in science: • Observing • Measuring • Comparing and Contrasting • Inferring • Interpreting Data • Drawing Conclusions • Communicating your ideas in a journal

10. Ways to summarize data from an investigation: • Use tables, graphs, and charts • Make models And if you have access to a computer: • Use a word processor • Use a database • Use an electronic spreadsheet

11. Why might it be important to keep a Science Journal? Scientists usually need to repeat experiments and all the conditions must be the same. Describing the experiment in your Science Journal can help you repeat the experiment. Also, you can write down results, problems, and questions for future consideration.

12. Section 2 - Doing Science • You just realized you lost your house keys. What would you do to find them? • You just bought a new video game and you are very anxious to start playing it. You have seen your friend play the game. What would you do?

13. Remember:“Science is the process used to investigate what is happening around us in order to solve problemsoranswer questions.” • Scientists use scientific methods - ways or steps to follow ( a process), to solve problems. • These methods are based on observation, prior knowledge, and research, and experimentation (investigation).

14. How do scientists go about “doing” science? • Scientists use scientific methods – ways, or steps to follow, to solve problems. • But what are those steps?

15. Steps scientists follow to solve scientific problems… • Identify the problem

16. Methods scientists use to solve problems • Descriptive Research • Answering a scientific question by making observations about the question • The process of descriptive research … • State the research objective. • Describe the research design or how you will carry out your investigation. What are some questions to think about when planning an investigation?

17. When planning an investigation you should consider… • How will the investigation be carried out? • What instruments will be used? • How much time will be allowed for the experiment? • How will we record the data collected?

18. Methods continued… • Eliminate bias, or expected results. 4. Select the best materials for the investigation. a. A model represents things that happen too slowly, too quickly, or are too big, small, dangerous or expensive to observe directly. b. Scientists around the world use a system of measurements called the International System of Units to make observations.

19. Methods continued… 5. Design data tables, or ways to accurately record results and observations. • Analyze your data and figure out what your results mean. • Draw conclusions.

20. Methods continued… • Experimental research design • Answering a scientific question by observation of a controlled situation. 1. Form a hypothesis, which is a prediction that can be tested.

21. Methods continued… 2. Plan the experiment. a. Independent variable – the factor in the experiment that is changed. b. Dependent variable – the factor in the experiment that is being measured. c. Constants – variables that stay the same.

22. Methods continued… 3. Use a control - A sample that is treated like the other experimental group except that the independent variable is not applied to it. 4. Conduct several trials of the experiment. 5. Analyze your results and draw conclusions.

23. Doing Science • What are some possible reasons that data are different than expected? • Why is it important to have a control sample when conducting experimental research?

24. Section 3Science and Technology Remember: Technology is the application of science to make useful products and tools, such as computers.

25. Science and Technology • Scientific discoveries lead to new products that influence your lifestyle in areas such as: Entertainment Convenience Health

26. Science and Technology • Science provides information that people use to make decisions. • However, science cannot decide whether the new information is good or harmful, moral or immoral.

27. Science and Technology • What new scientific discoveries have you used? • It is the task of science to answer questions and provide information, but not to decide whether the new information is good or harmful. Can you think of some examples where science has provided information or advancements that people have use in a harmful way?

28. Chapter 1The Nature of Science Try to remember… • To be an informed consumer, you must know the facts. • Science will help to explain those facts. • Technology will use those facts to find ways to make useful products.

29. Chapter 1The Nature of Science The End