Lecture One What Is Science?

1. Lecture OneWhat Is Science? Leonard M. FischerPlantation Middle School 6600 West Sunrise Blvd Plantation, FL 33313

2. What Is Science? • Science is a way of learning about the natural world (or universe) around us. • Scientists want to know how or why or when something happened. • Science always starts with observations - humans notice something interesting, and want to know more about it.

3. What Kinds of Questions Can Science Answer? • Science can only answer questions that are based on observable facts. For instance, when or how or why something happens. • Science cannot answer questions that are based on opinions or beliefs. • Science cannot help you understand the meaning of a song or decide who your favorite singer is. • Science cannot tell you what is right or wrong, or what is good or bad.

4. Science Is Always Changing • Science is based on information available at the time. • Since people are always getting new information, scientific ideas can change over time. • For example, people once thought that the Earth was the center of the solar system. We now know that is not true.

5. Scientific Theories • A scientific theory is an attempt to explain a pattern seen repeatedly in the natural world. • Scientific theories are not just guesses or opinions. They must be backed up by repeated observations or by the results of repeated investigations. • Theories can change. As new information is found, scientists may have to change a theory to fit the new information.

6. Scientific Laws • A scientific law is a rule that describes a pattern in nature. • For an observation to become a scientific law, it must be observed happening over and over again. • The law is what scientists use until someone makes observations that do not follow the law.

7. Scientific Laws • A law helps you predict what will happen. • The Law of Gravity is a common example. • It helps us predict what will happen if I let go of my pencil.

8. Theories vs. Laws • Note the difference between a theory and a law. • A theory tries to explain why something happens. • A law simply describes what happens. • Example – The Law of Gravity says that if I step off the roof of the Empire State Building, I will fall (and die). It does not explain why I will fall.

9. Why Bother With Science? • Some people (like me) do science because they are naturally curious. • They want to know how or why something happens. • But some people (including many of my students) don’t seem to care. • So, why do they need to learn science?

10. A little bit of scientific knowledge can go a long way in life. • For instance, the law of gravity helps us predict what will happen if I step off the roof of a tall building, and let’s me know not to do it. • While that may seem obvious to us, it is only obvious because we have learned about gravity through repeated life experiences.

11. Science and Technology • And, of course, technology is another important reason to do science. • What is technology? • Technology is the practical use of science. • Technology is taking scientific ideas, and making products that can help solve problems or make life better.

12. Science and Technology • Understanding the electromagnetic spectrum is science. • Using that knowledge to create radios, televisions, microwave ovens, cell phones and x-ray machines, is technology. • Think about how different your life would be if scientists never bothered to study the electromagnetic spectrum. What if they had said “I don’t care?”