Nature of Science Scientific Explanations Scientific Explanations Big

Nature of Science Scientific Explanations

Scientific Explanations Big Idea – How can science provide answers to your questions about the world around you? Essential Questions: What is Scientific Inquiry? What are the results of scientific investigations? How can a scientist prevent bias in a scientific investigation?

Nature of Science Lesson 1: Understanding Science What is Science? Science – the investigation and exploration of natural events and of the new information that results from those investigations.

Branches of Science – 3 major branches Life Science Other names Biology Studies living things Earth Science Physical Science Chemistry and Physics earth Related studies zoology, botany meterology, geology interactions of matter engineering

Which Branch of Science? Which of these objects would be studied by a biologist? Physicist? Earth Scientist?

Which Branch of Science? Which of these objects would be studied by a biologist? Physicist? Earth Scientist?

Scientific Inquiry Used to study the natural world answer questions. Sometimes not all skills are used. Steps of Scientific Inquiry Students with index cards should arrange themselves in the correct order or the scientific inquiry. 1 student can make any necessary changes. How did you do?

Brain Pop Scientific Method

Ask Questions - Use observations and inferences Observation – using one or more of your senses to gather information and take note of what occurs Inference - a logical explanation of an observation that is drawn from prior knowledge or experience

Observation or inference? Classify the following statements as observations or inferences The apple’s covering is red. The apple is edible. There are seeds inside the apple.

Hypothesis - a possible explanation about an observation that can be tested by scientific investigations Predict - what will happen next in a sequence of events

Test your Hypothesis Design an experiment Make a model Gather and evaluate evidence Collect data/record observation

Analyze Results Graph results Classify information Make calculations Other processes

Draw Conclusions Is your hypothesis supported? Hypothesis supported – repeat several times to confirm Hypothesis not supported – modify and repeat

Communicate Results Write science journal articles Speak at science conferences Exchange information on internet Other ways of exchanging information

Brown Bag Activity Each student needs to bring in an object placed inside a brown bag and stapled closed. Very important …not to tell anyone what is in the bag.

Scientific Theory and Scientific Laws Scientific Theory – an explanation of observations or events based on knowledge gained from many observations and investigations. Ex. The Cell Theory Scientific Laws – describes a pattern or event in nature that is always true. - doesn’t explain why it occurs just that it will occur. Ex. The law of conservation of mass

Evaluating Scientific Evidence Critical thinking – comparing what you already know with the information you are given in order to decide whether you agree with it. Investigations need to be free of bias. Bias- to influence the outcome of an investigation -can be the result of equipment choice, hypothesis formation, or prior knowledge.

To prevent bias the following should be part of the investigation. Connect the following experimental technique with the correct description. Sampling Repeating the investigation to ensure the same results Blind Study Method of data collection that involves studying small amounts of something in order to learn about the larger whole Repetition The investigator, subject, or both do not know which item they are testing