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Learn about the role of science in our daily lives and how the scientific method helps solve problems. Explore key vocabulary and concepts related to science. Discover the steps of the scientific method and understand the importance of gathering information, forming hypotheses, testing experiments, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions. Avoid common pitfalls in scientific research and understand the difference between scientific theories and laws.
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What is Science? Chapter 1 – Section 1
Role of Science • Surrounded by Science – From the moment you wake up • Use and consume the benefits of science • Scientific problem solving can be applied to everyday challenges Activity: • What does a scientist look like to you? • What do they do?
Sciences -ology - “Study of” Bio - Life Biology and Life Scienes
Critical Thinking Activity: Your Iphone stops charging - What steps do you take? What can you check and eliminate as a possibility?
Solving Problems – Scientific Method • Like the Iphone charging problem – Scientists use similar skills to solve problems • Use Critical Thinking and Organization • Organization takes the form ofprocedures called the Scientific Method
Scientific Method State the Problem Gather Information Revise Hypothesis Form Hypothesis Repeat Experiment Many Times Perform Experiment Analyze Data Hypothesis Supported Hypothesis Not Supported Draw Conclusions
“State the Problem” • State the problem clearly • Describe the Problem • Say it • Write it Activity: State the Problem encountered on Text pg. 7
“Gather Information” • Determine what information is available? • Research • Fieldwork • Laboratory Investigation • Computer Models Activity: What information did the technician gather on Text pg.8
“Form a Hypothesis” • A prediction that can be tested • What will happen? • What is the solution? • Your idea of the solution to the stated problem • Key part – Can be Tested – natural explanation for natural occurence Activity: What is the technician’s hypothesis on Text pg. 8
“Test Hypothesis with Experiment” • Design a procedure that will test your hypothesis • Establish a “Control” • A test case which does not change - “Normal Conditions” • Used to compare to the experimental group variable • Design procedure that tests ONE (1) variable • Variable – something that can change in an experiment Activity: Why would multiple variables be problematic for testing your hypothesis?
“Analyze Data” • Collect Data (Results) • Record Data • What does the data tell you?
“Draw Conclusion” • Does the data support your Hypothesis? • Yes – Repeat experiment several times to ensure consistent results • No – Revise Hypothesis and design new experiment
Conclusions and Hypotheses • A hypothesis that is not supported by the data is not a failure • Eliminated a possible solution • Thomas Edison failed 1,000 times to create the lightbulb – “One step closer to the right answer” Activity: What was the conclusion the technician reached on Text pg. 9? What were the technician’s next steps? Were they carried out? Why?
Avoid Mad Scientist Syndrome • Ethics and Common Sense are important considerations in the scientific process • Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should – Activity: What prevented the technician from continuing his study? Do you agree?
Common Data Problems Which spitball construction went further?
Common Analysis Problems • Click Here • Cherry Picking – Selecting only the data that supports your hypothesis • Data Dredging – Looking for a link without stating a hypothesis (Connection is simply chance) • False Causality – Assuming that because two events occur together, once caused the other
Report Results • Very important final step • Report Results • Report Design • Report Limitations • Suggestions for Improvement (Everything can be improved)
Scientific Theory • A Scientific Theory is an explanation of things or events based on scientific observations and experiments • Usually the result of many experiments all supporting related hypotheses • More general than a hypothesis. • NOT a Guess or Opinion - Scientific Theories explain Why something happens • This differs from “speculative theory” or the slang “theory” • Examples – Theory of Life Origins, Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection, Quantum Theory, Cell Theory • Theory may raise more questions and can be disproven by future experiments.
Scientific Law • Statement about how things work that seems to be true all of the time • Detailed, empirical (based on observation rather than logic) explanations of how things will work • Predictive instead of explanatory • Tell how things will happen under certain conditions • Example: Law of Newtonian Physics, Laws of Heredity
Scientific Units (SI) • International System of Units • From French Translation • Standardized units to avoid confusion
Video Series • Scientific Law vs Theory: It’s Okay to be Smart • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqk3TKuGNBA • Scientific Law vs Theory: Amoeba Sisters • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P30QlwSsUic • Nature of Science – Amoeba Sisters • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nAETHZTObk
Video Series • Scientific Method – The Teacher’s Pet • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMGRe824kak