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What is Science?. What is science?. Science is that activity, the underlying aim of which is to further our understanding of why things happen as they do in the natural world.
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What is science? Science is that activity, the underlying aim of which is to further our understanding of why things happen as they do in the natural world. It accomplishes this goal by applications of scientific method—the process of observing nature, isolating a facet that is not well understood, and then proposing and testing possible explanations. -S. Carey, 2004
What is science? CURIOSITY! ASK WHY. Way of knowing Study of natural world (process) Involves observing, proposing explanations, testing explanations Evidence-based
What is science? • Know, use and interpret scientific explanations of the natural world • scientific knowledge (content) • Generate and evaluate evidence and explanations • scientific reasoning, using evidence (process)
What is science? • Understand the nature and development of scientific knowledge • how science works (nature of science) • Participate productively in scientific practices and discourse • how to talk/think about science, how to use scientific knowledge, engage in scientific practice
Be careful… MYTHS Sometimes we think science can do things it can’t OR does more than we think--there are about science
Common Science Myths • When exposed to the vacuum of space, the human body pops. • a human can survive for 15 – 30 seconds in outer space as long as they breathe out before the exposure Food that drops on the floor is safe to eat if you pick it up within five seconds Um, no.. but eating germs and dirt is not always a bad thing as it helps us to develop a robust immune system
Common Science Myths • Brain cells can’t regenerate – if you kill a brain cell, it is never replaced. • In 1998, scientists at the Sweden and the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California discovered that brain cells in mature humans can regenerate. An old dog CAN learn new tricks! A penny dropped from a very high building can kill a pedestrian below the aerodynamics of a penny are not sufficient to make it dangerous. What would happen in reality is that the person who gets hit would feel a sting
The Nature of Science Content, process, nature How does science lead to new knowledge? What can science do? What can’t it do?
a Nature of Science quiz…What do you know about science? (Answer True or False) Science is a system of beliefs. Scientists are totally objective in their work The scientific method is the basic, 5-step guide for conducting scientific research. Doing science involves creativity. Scientific ideas are tentative and can be modified or disproved, but never proved.
1. Science is a system of beliefs FALSE Many students, science teachers, and the general public often believe that science is a system of beliefs Scientific ideas are established only after compelling evidence has accumulated from observations of nature. Scientists use reasoning and imagination, study the work of other scientists, and collaborate with other professionals, always looking for evidence to support or disprove their ideas.
2. Scientists are totally objective in their work. FALSE Science involves some subjectivity. • Humans do sciencehumans are subjective SO…science involves subjectivity • Personal experience and expectations influence observations • How do we "get around" this? • Controlled settings • Repeat tests • Confirmation from other observers • Large sample sizes
Perceptions Take out a piece of paper. Place one of your hands in the middle of the paper. On the RIGHT side of your hand draw a small cross. On the LEFT side of your hand draw a dime size circle. Hold the paper at arms length and cover your right eye. While staring at the “cross” slowly bring the paper towards your face.
Perceptions Perception is not always reality. The natural world is full of illusions, and simple common sense doesn't always work to explain such illusions.
What do you see? Inference is when observations are influenced by prior knowledge and beliefs Being able to infer is a survival mechanism, so it is positive. Inference doesn’t make science weak, but rather forces us to be careful in our observations and interpretation of evidence
What happened here? What do you OBSERVE?
Observation • Any information collected with the senses. • The skill of describing scientific events. • __________Inference______________ • Conclusions or deductions based on observations . • The process of drawing a conclusion from given evidence.
What happened here? • Be sure to distinguish observation and inference. • Prior knowledge affects observation! • Not all evidence leads to one answer. • Not all scientific knowledge is gained through controlled experiments. (Paleontology for instance)
3. The scientific method is the basic, 5-step guide for conducting scientific research. FALSE MYTH • There isno universal scientific method. • There are methods, but not a single pathway • Observations (before, during, after) • Proposing explanations based on observation • Testing explanations or predictions
Observations Definition Using senses to gather information Observations lead to questions How does sand grain size affect the size and abundance of crabs?
Two types of Observations Qualitative: Uses senses to describe Ex: color and consistency of sand, minerals present etc. Quantitative: Uses tools to take a numerical measurement Ex: actual size of grains, actual size and number of crabs at various sites.
Hypothesis Predicts the answer to a question Hypothesis are based on: Past experience Observations Research It must be testable Written as “If…..then” statements.
Experiments Variables: Factor in the experiment that is tested.
Scientific Experiments Follow Rules • An experimenter changes one factor and observes or measures what happens.
Other Variables The factor that is being changed is known as the independent variable. The factor that is measured or observed is called the dependent variable.
The Control Variable The experimenter makes a special effort to keep other factors constant so that they will not effect the outcome. Those factors are called control variables.
What is the Purpose of a Control? Controls are NOT being tested Controls are used for COMPARISON
Remember: To be a Valid Experiment: Twogroups are required --- the control & experimental groups There should be only one independent variable
Data • Results of the experiment • May be quantitative (numbers) or qualitative
Data • Must beorganized • Can be organized into charts, tables, or graphs
Conclusion • The answer to the hypothesis based on the data obtained from the experiment
Conclusion My conclusion [supports/does not support] my hypothesis because ____________________.
Retest In order to verifythe results, experiments must be retested.
