How do Scientists Think?

1. Chapter 1: Introduction to Physical Science Mrs. Butler’s Physical Science Class How do Scientists Think? Aim: What is Physical Science? • Scientists use the skills of observing, inferring, and predicting to learn more about the natural world

2. Observing: using one or more senses to gatherinformation • Qualitative observations= descriptions that do not involve numbers or measurements • Quantitative observations= are measurements

3. Inferring: interpreting or explaining the reasons for your observations making a forecast of what will happen in the future based on past experience or evidence • Predicting:

4. The Study of Matter and Energy • Physical Science is the study of matter, energy, and the changes they undergo. • So what is matter? • So what is energy? Matter is anything that occupies space and has mass. Energy is the ability to do work or cause a change.

5. Physical Science is divided into two main areas • Chemistry- the study of the properties of matter and how matter changes • Physics- the study of matter and energy and how they interact

6. Aim: Scientific Inquiry The process of Inquiry • Posing questions • developing hypotheses • designing experiments • collecting data • interpreting data • drawing conclusions • communicating ideas and results

7. What is a hypothesis? • A hypothesis is a possible answer to a scientific question or explanation for a set of observations. • Researchers must be able to carry out investigations and gather evidence that will either support or disprove the hypothesis

8. How do scientists test their hypothesis? • Begin experiment by determining variables • Variables are factors that can change in an experiment. In a well designed experiment only one variable is purposely changed • Manipulated variable: the variable that is changed (by the scientist)(also known as independent variable) • Responding Variable: the variable that is expected to change because the manipulative variable changed (also known as the dependent variable) • Controlled Experiment an investigation in which all variables except one remain the same.

9. PHSchool.com • Scientists use models and develop laws and theories to increase people’s understanding of the natural world. • Scientific law is a statement that describes what scientists expect to happen every time under a particular set of conditions. • Scientific theory is a well-tested explanation for a wide range of observations or experimental results. Complete worksheet review and reinforce 1-2 scientific Inquiry in class (10 minutes)

10. Lab Safety: • Behavior LISTEN AND FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS • What to do in case of an accident • Broken glass and equipment • Goggles, Aprons, gloves, shoes • Materials: respect, pick up, and put away • Fire: Long Hair, Ties • Do NOT touch or experiment on your own without my approval • Procedures during lab time • Lab Rubric Homework: Read section 1-3, Complete worksheets 1-3 review and reinforce; return signed safety sheets

11. Aim: What is Technology? • Technology is a way of changing the natural world to meet human needs or solve problems • An Engineer is someone who is trained to use both technology and scientific knowledge to solve problems.

12. The Technology Design Process Identify the need Research the problem Design a solution (brainstorm, constraints, trade-trade offs) Build a prototype Troubleshoot and redesign Communicate the solution correct: 1-3 review and reinforce

13. Technology as a System Something made up of parts that work together • How would you describe a system? A technological system includes a goal, inputs, processes, outputs, and, in some cases, feedback. They are designed to achieve a particular goal, or purpose. Technology and Society How has technology affected our society? View on line Discovery School Video Field trip Intro. to Physical Science.