The History of Science

1. The History of Science In the Beginning…..in Africa, 4 million years ago…..

2. …. two hungry chimpanzees, a mother and child, are in search of food.

3. Termites are chimps’ favorite food. If they can find a termite hill, it will house a termite queen who will produce thousands of baby termites.

4. The search pays off when the chimps observe a huge termite hill. Now, the chimps have a problem. Mother chimp asks herself a question: How can I get the termites out of the hill?

5. Using her large brain, the chimp makes a hypothesis: “If I make a hole in the termite hill and put a twig inside the hole, the termites will bite the twig, and I can pull them out and eat them.”

6. The chimp gathered the materials needed to do this new experiment. She began by stripping leaves off a twig.

7. The chimp had a plan and a procedure to follow:First, poke a hole in the hill with her finger.Second, put the twig through the hole.Third, eat the delicious termites.Finally, observe the success of this new tool.

8. The mother chimp made the conclusion that her hypothesis was correct: “If I make a hole in the termite hill and put a twig inside the hole, the termites will bite the twig, and I can pull them out and eat them.” Check out this book in our class library.

9. The baby chimp watched his mother, and he repeatedthe experiment. Other chimps observed the success of this new tool, and they also repeatedthe experiment, sometimes changing one variable, the tool used to poke inside the termite hole. One chimp tried using a blade of grass, but this did not work very well.

10. The chimpanzees followed the same steps that we follow when we do an experiment. They made an observation that led them to the:Scientific Method1.) Problem/Question2.) Hypothesis3.) Materials4.) Procedure5.) Observation6.) 7.) ConclusionWait! The chimps left out one step. Do you know which step is missing?

11. Although chimpanzees have 98% of the same DNA inside their bodies that we do in our cells,the 2% difference makes us human and much smarter! If you said that the chimps left out datain their experiment, you’re right!

12. Humans, like scientist, Jane Goodall, above, make observations. Then, they put data in a notebook.

13. Scientists draw pictures and label what they see. Sometimes graphs are added. They write down the steps in the experiment and what they learn. If they have more questions, scientists write those down for future experiments and research. Full Moon

14. Here Is a Way to Remember the Steps in the Scientific Method • Please Problem/Question • Help Hypothesis • Me Materials • Pass Procedure • Out Observation • Delicious Data/Results • Cookies Conclusion

15. Science Vocabulary: Test 1 • 1. curious: eager to learn or know • 2. curiosity: the desire to learn or know • 3. science: a branch of knowledge or study dealing with the physical or material world, gained through observation and experimentation • 4. scientist: an expert in science • 5. scientific: of or pertaining to the sciences

16. 6. method: a procedure, technique, or way of doing something • 7. tool: anything used to accomplish a task • 8. Jane Goodall: British scientist, ethologist, and primatologist whose work with chimpanzees showed that they have the intelligence and skill to make and use tools • 9. problem: a question proposed for solution or answer • 10. hypothesis: an educated guess • 11. materials: the things needed to do an experiment

17. 12. procedure: the steps to follow in doing an experiment • 13. observation: studying with the use of the 5 senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste • 14. data: facts, numbers, items of information, graphs • 15. conclusion: a result, final decision or inference, to be shared • Check out spellingcity.comfor games and review of our Science Words. • Type in Linda Lee under “Teacher” or • Type in Science Vocabulary-Test 1 under “List.”