The Nature of Science What is Science Science

The Nature of Science:

What is Science? • Science is the systematic study of the natural world. Main content areas of science: • Physical science • Earth & space science • Life Science

Science vs. Technology: Science: Study of the natural world (as we find it) Technology and engineering: using scientific knowledge to create the built world and improve living conditions for human beings.

Science and engineering practices: What do scientists actually do? • Ask questions & define problems • Develop and use models • Plan & carry out investigations • Analyze and interpret data • Use computational/mathematical thinking • Construct models (Explanations) • Engage in argument (persuasion) from evidence • Obtain, evaluate and communicate information

6 th /7 th. Science Practices Assignment: Watch the film and read the articles on scientists fighting an Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Then write a 5 -7 sentence paragraph that describes the science practices that you observed these scientists using. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=RUu. Rqa. XU 8 A LO: Describe the nature of science SLE: Write proficiently

Scientific models: Scientific model: An explanation of a set of observations or events in a natural system that allows people to make sense of the parts of that system and to make predictions about events in the system.

Types of scientific models: • Physical model: Physical representation (globe) • Conceptual model: Explanation or set of explanations (theory of evolution) • Mathematical model: Using math to explain events in nature (f =ma)

8 th Grade modeling assignment: 1. Watch the video on Peter Grant’s finch observations in the Galapagos: https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=mc. M 23 M-CCog 2. Read the packet on finch population data before and after a drought. 3. Write a 7 -10 sentence paragraph that explains what the data mean (i. e. , make a model that explains this set of data) a. Describe the data you have b. Analyze what you think the data tell you c. Give evidence directly from the data: convince me that your conclusions are correct. LO: Make inferences supported by evidence SLE: Think critically and independently

The Metric System: Length: Volume: Mass: Base Unit: Meter (m) Base Unit: Liter (L) Base Unit: gram (g) 1 m= 100 cm= 1000 mm (1 cm = 10 mm) 1 km = 1000 m 1 L = 1000 ml = 100 cl 1 Kg= 1000 g 1 g = 1000 mg 1 mt = 1000 kg

Metric Unit Conversions: 1000 Length km Volume KL Mass Kg 100 10 Base Unit m L g 0. 1 0. 001 cm mm ml mg

For your notebook: On the odd-numbered page opposite your notes on the metric system: give equivalent US units for these metric units: 1 m is about _______yards 1 km is about how far? 1 kg is about how much? 1 L is about h ow much? About how much is 1 cm? About how much is 1 g?

What do you remember? 1. Convert 160 cm to m 2. List and describe Newton’s laws of motion 3. A force of 1000 N is applied to a car with a mass of 2000 kg. What is its rate of acceleration? 4. Describe the universal law of gravity (3 parts) 5. Describe the difference between efficiency and mechanical advantage. 6. A rock has a mass of 100 g and a volume of 20 ml. What is its density?

Checkpoint Quiz on Nature of Science: 1. Describe what science is. 2. How are science and technology dependent on one another? 3. What do engineers do? For questions 4 -5, read the situation and say which science practice is being used: 4. A biologist counts the number of bears in a small area of a park, then estimates the number of bears in the whole park based on that count. 5. A doctor tries to see if a new obesity drug is effective by making mice fat by overfeeding them and then giving them the drug to see if they lose weight.

Density Exploration: Problem #1: What is more dense: salt, metal in a mass set, or a rock? Hypothesis: Procedure: Data: Mass(g) Metal mass Rock Table Salt Volume (ml) Density (g/ml)

Density Exploration (cont. ): Problem #2: Are pennies made of pure copper? Hypothesis: Procedure: 1. Find the density of pennies. 2. Compare this density to the published density of pure copper Data: Desnisty of pennies (g/ml): Conclusion:

Density Exploration (cont. even more) Problem # 3: Find the density of air. (Hint: Use a balloon. Don’t forget to find the mass of the empty balloon first…) Data: Mass of air (g): Volume of air: (ml) ( volume of sphere: (4/3) (pi) (r 3) ) Density of air (g/ml):

Developing a Model From Data: 1. Watch the video on concussions https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=yy. RBl. SAfb_k 2. Read and discuss articles on high school sports concussions. 3. Write a short, two-paragraph essay that answers these questions: a. What sport causes the most concussions and why? b. What can be done to reduce concussions among high school athletes?

Developing a model of flight characteristics: In your table groups, discuss how these factors could affect the flight of a paper airplane: 1. Size 2. Materials 3. Design of plane (how it’s folded) 4. Length/shape of wings 5. Wind/weather 6. Throwing technique

Developing a model of flight characteristics: Now discuss this question: Which flight characteristic of plaper airplane performance is most important to you: 1. Distance 2. Altitude 3. Time in air 4. Speed Why is this characteristic more important than the others?

Developing a model of flight characteristics: Design an experiment that tests the characteristic of paper airplane flight that is most important to you. Include: Problem/question Hypothesis Variables/controls Procedure Quantitative Data 5 -sentence conclusion Be prepared to present your findings to the rest of the class by the end of class on Friday, September 11.

Metric System Checkpoint Quiz: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. How many meters are in 1 Km? How many mm are in 1 cm? 145 g = _______Kg 12 mm = _______m 4. 7 L = ____ml

8 th Grade Metric/Models Quiz: 1. 145 g =____Kg 2. 1400 m = ____Km 3. A liquid has a volume of 20 ml and a mass of 18 g. What is its density? 4. What is a scientific model? 5. What is the first step in creating a scientific model?

Observations in science: Observation: anything in the physical world that be detected with your 5 senses.

Types of observations: Qualitative observation: Involves the characteristics of something, or recording events. Examples: The squirrel is running up my leg. The squirrel is brown. Quantitative observation: Involves counting or measuring. Examples: My sister is 7 feet tall. There are 12 raccoons in my garage.

Inferences: Inference: An explanation for what you have observed. (It’s not quite the same as an opinion; there needs to be evidence. )

Steps of the Scientific Method: 1. Identify the question/problem 2. Make general observations 3. Create a hypothesis (predicition about the answer to your questions) 4. Design an experiment that tests hypothesis 5. Carry out experiment, collect data 6. Conclude and share results

Problem: • • Must be narrow enough to test Must be measureable Must be clearly stated Usually in the form of a question

Hypothesis: Two Parts: 1. Your prediction 2. Your reasoning behind your prediction

Variables: Are things that can change in your experiment Types: Independent (manipulated) variable: the thing you’re changing in order to test it. Dependent (responding) variable: The thing that changes because of your experiment; usually the thing you’re measuring. Controlled variables: Are things you keep the same.

How to Write a Conclusion for an Experiment The purpose of a conclusion is to share what you’ve learned by doing the experiment. Write a five-sentence (or more) paragraph using complete sentences and correct punctuation and capitalization: · Your first sentence should mention what you were trying to find out. · Your second sentence should briefly summarize what your data tell you. · Your third sentence should tell your audience what you discovered; was your hypothesis correct? Did you discover something unexpected? · Your fourth sentence should give at least one inference for the observations you made ( or the data you collected) during the experiment. · Your concluding sentences should describe any other possible outcomes, and list at least one thing you could have done differently during your experiment. •

Checkpoint Quiz on Observations & Variables: 1. Give an example of a qualitative observation. 2. Give an example of a quantitative observation. 3. You place a can of regular Coke and a can of Diet Coke in a bucket of water. The regular Coke sinks while the Diet Coke floats. Give an inference for this observation. 4. You want to find out if a paper airplane made of construction paper will fly a greater distance than one made of printer paper. You make two identical paper airplanes, one out of each type of paper, and throw them each several times, and measure the average distance each one flies. a. ) Identify the independent variable in this experiment. b. ) Identify the dependent variable in this experiment.

Checkpoint Quiz on Observations, Inferences and Experiment Design: 1. Give an example of a qualitative observation. 2. Give an example of a quantitative observation. 3. You place a can of regular Coke and a can of Diet Coke in a bucket of water. The regular Coke sinks while the Diet Coke floats. Give an inference for this observation. 4. Write a complete hypothesis for this problem: Will a paper airplane made of construction paper fly farther than one made of printer paper? 5. Why is quantitative data usually preferable to qualitative data?

LO: Carry out a scientific investigation. SLE: Work cooperatively. Problem: Will a ping pong ball bounce higher off of the same surface than a golf ball? Hypothesis: Independent variable: Dependent Variable: 3 Controls: Procedure: 1. Hold a meter stick vertically. 2. Hold a golf ball at the top of the meter stick, and let it go. 3. Record how high the ball bounces. 4. Repeat Step 3 four more times. 5. Repeat steps 2 -4 with a ping pong ball. 6. Find average bounce heights for both balls. 7. Compare averages.

Checkpoint Quiz on Hypotheses & Variables: The scientist Galileo wanted to find out if objects with more mass fell at a faster rate than objects with less mass. He created a ramp, and rolled steel balls of different masses down the ramp (some had greater mass than others). He then timed how long it took the steel balls to roll down the ramp. 1. What is the independent variable of this experiment? 2. What is the dependent variable? 3. Name 2 controlled variables. 4. Write a hypothesis for this experiment.