Activities of Science

1. Activities of Science HS Physical Science

2. What is science? science is using an orderly method to solve problems and investigate the world. When a little kid is learning to tie their shoes, they use science. They try different hand positions and knots, and are testing possible solutions to a problem.

3. Scientists Share Scientists share information with others. Scientists look for answers about the world and share the information they find. They share information about their research to expand their knowledge.

4. Predictions Science also includes predicting. Your prediction is based on your observations. Scientists gather information from many sources. Our little kid has watched and talked to other little kids, and predicts that if he crosses the laces, makes bunny ears, crosses those, sticks one under and pulls, it just might work.

5. Science involves use of observations and inferences. An observation is information that is known because it has been seen or experienced directly. Some observations have been made so many times that they are accepted as always being true. This is called a scientific law.

6. Scientific Law Explains what will happen, but not why. An example is gravity. The law of gravitation is a statement about the observation that all objects attract each other. The law doesn’t say WHY objects attract each other, only that they will.

7. Inference An inference is a conclusion based upon known information or observations. If I gave you a plate of mashed potatoes, and they were green, what would you infer? Then I tell you it was only food coloring. Sometimes inferences can be wrong.

8. Forming Hypotheses What’s a hypothesis? A hypothesis is a possible solution or explanation for a problem or question, that is based on observations. Sometimes a hypothesis may include a model. A model is a description, picture, or idea about something that cannot be viewed directly.

9. Theory A theory is a hypothesis that has been tested many times and still explains the observations. People once thought that comets were clouds of dust. After some observations, a scientist theorized that comets were more like dirty snowballs. When Haley’s comet passed by, more observations and tests supported that theory.

10. Branches of Science Science divides into three main branches: Life Science Earth Science Physical Science

11. Life Science investigates living things

12. Earth Science investigates aspects of Earth, its atmosphere, and the universe

13. Physical Science physical science investigates matter, energy, and their effects on each other

14. Branches of Physical Science Physics Chemistry

15. Technology Using science principles to solve practical problems