What is science Use of scientific inquiry to

What is science? Use of scientific inquiry to form testable explanations and make predictions about studying the natural word. • “Scientia” – Latin word meaning “knowledge”. • Major categories: 1. Life science: Living organisms 2. Earth science: Earth & space 3. Physical science: Matter & energy

What is science? • Scientific explanations help you understand the natural world. • As more is learned about the natural world, some of the earlier explanations might be found to be incomplete or new technology might provide more accurate answers. Think about the things you use once you leave school to the time you wake up. What would life be without technology?

Scientific Method • An organized set of investigation procedures. • Six common steps found in scientific methods are shown. Step 1: State the Problem Step 2: Gather information Step 3: Form a hypothesis Step 4: Test the hypothesis Step 5: Analyze data Step 6: Draw a conclusion Construct a study guide & Create a mnemonic.

Scientific Method • Find key words & phrases for each step in the textbook and add it to your study guide. Step 1: State the Problem • Wonder “what” or “why” Step 2: Gather information • Research - to fine tune the question and to form a hypothesis. Step 3: Form a hypothesis • Testable explanation based on what you know and observation.

Scientific Method Step 4: Test the hypothesis • Define Hypothesis. • Hypothesis – educated guess through observation or a possible explanation for a question or problem. • Process of observation, measurement & collecting data by designing an experiment. • Find key words & phrases for each step in the textbook and add it to your study guide. Did you find? • Experiment, variables, constants, & control

Scientific Method • Experiment – looks at how one thing affects another under controlled conditions. o Experimentum - Latin word, which means “proof or test. ” • Variable - a factor that can cause a change in the results of an experiment. o List and define the 4 types of variables?

Experiment: We want to determine which of three different fertilizers helps plants to grow the biggest. What are possible factors to consider? Possible factors include: • • • amount of sunlight room temperature type of soil type of fertilizer amount of water plant type

Experiment: Draw a data table to represent all of the factors. q Which of the following is the dependent variable? q Which are the constants. Why? q Which of the following is the control? Why? q Which of the following is the independent variablel? Why?

Scientific Method Step 5: Analyze data • Organizing data into tables & graphs • Includes ALL results Step 6: Draw a conclusion • Supported or not? • Must be able to be repeated with same result.

Scientific Method - Things to Considered 1. How data is collected - Accuracy vs. precision. o Define each & explain the difference. • Accuracy: The closeness of a given measurement to its true value, i. e. bulls eye. • Precision: The stability of that measurement when repeated many times, i. e. cluster. Which of the following is accuracy, precision or both?

Scientific Method - Things to Considered 2. How data is collected - Qualitative vs. Quantitative. Qualitative – use of senses; descriptive color, shape, odor, texture, taste Quantitative - involves measurements; has a number and units associated with it. Ex: length, width, height, mass

Warm Up 1. Identify the following for A-D: Accuracy, precision, both or neither A. B. C. D. 2. _____ involves measurements; has a number and units associated with it. Ex: length, width, height, mass. 3. _____use of senses; descriptive color, shape, odor, texture, taste

Scientific Method - Things to Considered 2. Organizing Data • Visual representation of your data/observation • Use of tables and/or graphs. • Types of data organizers: o o Data Table Line Graph Circle Graph Bar Graph o Visualizing with models

Data Graphs • Data Table: record and organize data; helps in designing a graph or chart. Ex. Rainbow Lab Test Tube Color Final Volume A Red 10 m. L B Orange 9. 9 m. L C Yellow 10. 1 m. L D Green 9. 7 m. L E Blue 9. 9 m. L F Purple 10. 2 m. L

Data Graphs Click to Create a Graph • Line Graph: deals with independent vs. dependent variables that change continuously o x axis: represents the independent variable o y axis: represents the dependent variable o Remember: DRY MIX (an acronym) D = dependent variable R = responding variable Y = graph information on the vertical or y-axis M = manipulated variable I = independent variable X = graph information on the horizontal or x-axis

Data Graphs • Circle Graph: aka. “pie graph”. o Divided into section in relation to 100%

Data Graphs • Bar Graph: compares data that does NOT change continuously.

Data Graphs • Models – represents an idea, event, or object to help people better understand it. • Give some examples of scientific models

Scientific Method - Things to Considered 2. How resources should be used: • Using reusable equipment • Using small mounts • Disposing of waste properly • Understanding MSDA o Material Safety Data Sheets

Scientific Law vs. Theory Look up the definitions for scientific law and theory. Give an example of a scientific law. • A scientific law is a statement about what happens in nature and that seems to be true all the time. • Laws tell you what will happen under certain conditions, but they don’t explain why or how something happens. • A scientific theory is an explanation of things or events based on knowledge gained from many observations and investigations. It is not a guess; it is an accepted hypothesis. A theory can be used to explain a law, but theories do not become laws.

Scientific Law vs. Theory Use a Venn diagram to compare & contrast Law vs. Theory Law Theory

Review Essential Questions § § § What steps do scientists often use to solve problems? Why do scientists use variables? What is the difference between a scientific law and a scientific theory?

Vocabulary Review investigation New • • • scientific methods hypothesis experiment variable dependent variable independent variable constant control bias model scientific theory scientific law

1. Oreo Cookie Challenge Do Double-Stuff Oreos actually have double the stuffing or regular Oreos? Equipment: Scale, Beaker, Rulers, *Oreos and Double Stuff Oreos *you may need to set some guidelines about eating the experiment items 2. Bounty Challenge: Which paper towels more absorbent generic paper towels or Bounty? Equipment: Beaker, Graduated Cylinder, Scale, Rules, Water, Two types of towels Dissecting trays or pans might help for catching water. 3. Surface Effect: How does surface are of a candy affect how quickly it dissolves in water? Equipment: Smarties or sweet tarts (or any sugary dissolvable candy that can be cut into smaller portions), water, ruler, scale, *scalpel or blade, timer *requires safety discussion beforehand 4. Gum Challenge: Many gum brands claim that they have the longest lasting flavor. Design and conduct an experiment to determine what type of gum has the longest lasting flavor. clock, a variety of different types of gum 5. Polish Remover Challenge: Which type of polish remover works best, acetone or acetone free? fingernail polish, polish remover (2 types), dishes, lids, or other surfaces to paint on, variety is good so that student must consider the surface when conducting the experiment.

Sample Guidelines On a single paper for your group write: 1) Experiment Question 2) Your hypothesis (include reasoning) 3) Your experimental design * 4) Data collected 5) Your Conclusions Evaluate claims seen on commercials, design and conduct an experiment to test those claims.