Understanding Science Methods of Science Vocabulary Science observation

Understanding Science: Methods of Science Vocabulary: Science, observation, inference, hypothesis, prediction, technology, scientific theory, scientific law, critical thinking.

Discussion Question How would you evaluate the claims made in the advertisement of the algebra pillow? Learn Algebra While You Sleep! Math-er-iftic’s new algebra pillow is scientifically proven to transfer math skills from the pillow to your brain while you sleep. This revolutionary scientific design improved the algebra test scores of laboratory mice by 150 percent. Dr. Tom Equation says, “I have never seen students or mice learn algebra so easily. This pillow is truly amazing. ” For only $19. 99, those boring hours spent studying are a thing of the past. So act fast!! If you order today, you can get the algebra pillow and the equally amazing geometry pillow for only $29. 95. That is a $10 savings!

A. What is science? 1. Science includes the investigation and exploration of natural events, as well as the new information that results from those investigations. 2. A great deal of debate and confirmation within the science community leads to the increase of scientific knowledge. 3. People use science in their everyday lives and careers for many different things. Photo Credit https: //scijinks. gov/science/

B. Branches of Science 1. There are three main branches of science. 2. Earth science includes the investigation of rocks, soil, oceans, the atmosphere, and the surface features of Earth. 3. Life science, also called biology, is the study of living things. 4. Physical science is the study of matter and energy; it includes physics and chemistry.

C. Scientific Inquiry 1. Scientists use scientific inquiry, which involves a varied series of skills, when they conduct scientific investigations. 2. Scientists often begin scientific inquiry with observation—the act of using one or more of your senses to gather information and taking note of what occurs. 3. After an observation, scientists might make a(n) inference, which is a logical explanation of an observation drawn from prior knowledge or experience.

C. Scientific Inquiry continued…. 4. A(n) hypothesis is a possible explanation for an observation that can be tested by scientific investigations; scientists often use a hypothesis to make predictions, which are statements of what might occur next in a sequence of events. 5. Scientists test a hypothesis by doing one or more of these steps: designing a(n) experiment, making a(n) model, gathering and evaluating evidence, collecting data, or recording observations. 6. After scientists have tested a hypothesis, they analyze their results.

C. Scientific Inquiry continued…. . 7. Scientists draw conclusions based on relationships among their data; a(n) conclusion is a summary of the information gained from testing a hypothesis. 8. Scientists communicate their results to inform other scientists about their research. 9. Scientists retest predictions many times to make sure the conclusions are the same.

D. Results of Science 1. A scientific investigation can lead to one or more of these results: new technology— a practical use of scientific knowledge, especially for industrial or commercial use; new materials, such as those developed in the space program; new explanations as to why or how something occurs. 2. If hypotheses have been tested and supported repeatedly by scientific investigations, they can become a scientific theory—an explanation of observations or events that is based on knowledge gained from many observations and investigations. 3. A rule that describes a pattern in nature is called a(n) scientific law.

E. New Information 1. Critical thinking is important in all decision making. 2. Scientists evaluate scientific evidence by using skepticism—doubting the truth or accuracy of statements—and by identifying facts and opinions. 3. Scientists realize that not all questions can be studied using scientific inquiry, including those related to opinions, beliefs, values, and feelings. 4. It is important to use safe practices when performing scientific investigations so that potential hazards can be avoided.

Answer to the discussion question. Most students will realize that the ad is based on exaggerated claims that would be unlikely to be provable or correct. For instance, the claim that the pillow improved the algebra test scores of mice seems highly unlikely, since mice can’t do algebra. Also, no data are mentioned that are related to how well students do after using the pillow, making the claims for the pillow seem questionable. Students might refer to other statements in the ad as well.