@earthscience92. What is Science? Science – The systematic study of natural events and condition. Anything in living or nonliving world Scientific knowledge

@earthscience92

Scientific Inquiry & Design

Scientific Method

Earth Science Intro Unit

What is Science?

• Science– The systematic study

of natural events and condition.• Anything in living or

nonliving world• Scientific knowledge

is always changing• Ideas must be:– Testable,– Reproducible– Shared

I will be able to describe what science is and the 3 main types of science.

What is Science?

• 3 Main Areas of Science– Life Science• Biology– Living Things

– Earth Science• Study of the Earth– Geology

– Physical Science• Physics• Chemistry

I will be able to describe what science is and the 3 main types of science.

What are Characteristics of a Good Scientist?• 6 Characteristics– Careful observations

• Use senses and tools

– Curiosity• Asking questions about

the world around you

– Creativity• Be original• Apply their imaginations

to come up with a solution

I will be able to list and describe six characteristics of a good scientist.

What are Characteristics of a Good Scientist?• 6 Characteristics– Logic• Reasoning through information• Using evidence to make

conclusion

– Skepticism• You don’t accept everything you

hear or read immediately

– Objectivity• Set aside your personal feelings,

moods and beliefs

I will be able to list and describe six characteristics of a good scientist.

What are the parts of a scientific investigation?

• Scientific Investigations– Scientific Method• Problem• Hypothesis (if/then)• Experiment– An organized

procedure to study something under controlled conditions.

• Analysis• Conclusion

I will be able to list and describe the main parts of a scientific investigation.


• Scientific Investigations– 1. Problem• A specific question to be

answered.• Can be investigated• Must be:–Well defined– Precisely stated.

• Example: – Does plant food affect

the growth ?



• Scientific Investigations– 2. Hypothesis• A testable idea or

explanation • Leads to an investigation.–Carefully constructed.»Must be testable.

–Can still be useful if proven wrong.



• Scientific Investigations– 2. Forming a Hypothesis• A testable statement about

the problem.• Should be a possible solution

or answer to the problem• Must be tested to see if it

holds true.• An if/then statement• Example:

– If plants are given plant food, then they will grow taller than plants without plant food.



• Scientific Investigations– Must test hypothesis in a

meaningful way.– Writing a procedure• Numbered steps• Start with a verb.– 1. Drop ball– 2. Measure bounce

height.

– Determine equipment needed.



• Scientific Investigations– Identify Variables• Independent variable

– Factor that is deliberately changed.»Manipulated

– Independent – “I” can change it.

– Should be identified in the hypothesis.

– Example: » If plants were given

plant food…….



• Scientific Investigations– Identify Variables• Dependent variable– Change as a result of the

independent variable.» Depends on the

independent variable.

– It is measured.– Example:» Growth Height



• Scientific Investigations– Identify Variables• Constants– Variables that will be

kept the same.» Amount of Sunlight» Amount of Water» Same type of plant.

– Help verify that the independent variable caused the change.



• Scientific Investigations– Identify Variables• Control Group– Serves as a comparison

for the scientist.» Shows that the

independent variable caused the change.

– The experiment without the independent variable.» A group with no

plant food.



• Scientific Investigations– Data• Information gathered by

observation or experimentation.– Used in calculating or

reasoning.– Gathered through the

senses or instruments.– All observations are

recorded.– Analyzed to draw

conclusions.



• Scientific Investigations– Observations – • Process of obtaining

information using your senses– Qualitative– Quantitative


What are the parts of a scientific investigation?• Scientific Investigations– Qualitative Observations• Qualitative Quality• Deals with descriptions. • Data can be observed but

not measured.– Colors, – textures, – smells, – tastes, – appearance,– beauty, etc.


What are the parts of a scientific investigation?• Scientific Investigations– Quantitative Observations• Quantitative Quantity• Deals with numbers• Data can be measured

– Length– Height– Area– Volume–Weight– Speed– time– temperature,



• Scientific Investigations– Inferences• An interpretation based

on previous knowledge.• Examples– The dog is barking,

there must be someone at the door.–The sky is blue, it

won’t rain today.



• Scientific Investigations– Collecting and Organizing

Data• Data must be recorded.• Ways to Organize Data:– Tables– Graphs– Spreadsheets



• Scientific Investigations– Collecting and Organizing Data• Data Table:

– Create a row for independent variable.» Label (units)

– Create columns for dependent variable.» Label (units)



• Scientific Investigations– Elements of good Graphs


What are the parts of a scientific investigation?• Scientific Investigations– Creating Graphs Graphing

Directions• Label each axis on the

graph with the name of the variable represented, be sure to include the units. – Independent variable

on the x axis, label (units )

– dependent variable on the y axis, label (units )



• Scientific Investigations– Creating Graphs

• Determine the range for the axis.– Take the largest number and

subtract it from the smallest number.

• Determine the scale for the axis.– Count the number of lines on

the axis.– Divide the range by the

number of lines.– Round up to the nearest

whole number.


*** To skip numbers at the beginning of the axis use a squiggly line to show that numbers have been skipped.

Ex: if you want to start the Y axis at 20 instead of 0, fill in the first block with a squiggly line.


• Scientific Investigations– Creating Graphs• Assign each line on

each axis a value following the scale you determined.• Repeat the same steps

for the other axis.• Plot the points by

putting a dot for each data point.• Title the graph.



• Scientific Investigations– Interpreting Data &

Analyzing Information• Data must be studied.• Data will help draw a

conclusion.



• Scientific Investigations– Drawing and Defending

Conclusions• Conclude whether the

results support the hypothesis– If not, rethink the

hypothesis.• Scientists must be

prepared to defend their conclusion.



• Scientific Investigations– Conclusions Explain what happened? (Do not use first or

third person in your written conclusion- personal pronouns, no I or we in the conclusion)

– Restate the problem that was investigated. Do not write in question format. (circle in the example)

– State what the hypothesis was. (underline in example)– Explain what the results showed. (Box in)

• Include details/numbers from investigation.

– Did the results support of not support the hypothesis? (draw a star)– List any questions this data now leads you to? (The question could

lead to another experiment.) (lightly shade)



• Scientific Investigations

The problem investigated was to see how aspirin affected the growth of a cut carnation. The hypothesis that aspirin in the water of cut carnations would help the flowers last longer was not supported by the data. As the amount of aspirin was increased in the water, the flowers died faster. The flower with 1 aspirin lasted for 3 days and the flower with 4 aspirin lasted only one day. The control of the experiment, the flower with no aspirin in the water lasted the longest at 5 days. From this data the conclusion would have to be that aspirin does not help the flower last longer. However, this does bring up the question, what is it in aspirin that kills the flowers so fast?


What is the difference between a theory and law?

• Scientific Theory– Inferred explanations for

observable phenomenon. • A well-supported

explanation of nature.• Helps us to understand the

laws we observe.• Best explanation based on

what is known.• Valid as long as there is no

evidence to dispute it.

I will be able to describe the differences between a scientific theory and scientific law.


• Scientific Law– Statements or descriptions

of the relationships among observable phenomena. • Explains the way the world

works.• Generalizes a body of

observations.• Hold true anywhere in the

universe.

I will be able to describe the differences between a scientific theory and scientific law.

How do Scientific Ideas Change?• Scientific Knowledge– Is agreed upon.– All scientific knowledge: facts,

theories, laws can change:• 1. New evidence• 2. Collaboration and debate

– Scientist share ideas– Discuss and debate ideas– Come to an agreement– Question and challenge every

idea.

I will be able to explain how scientific knowledge can change.

I will be able to explain how scientific knowledge can change.

Documents

@earthscience92. What is Science? Science – The systematic study of natural events and condition. Anything in living or nonliving world Scientific knowledge