The Nature of Science 1

Section 1 What is science?

A. Science—a way or a process used to

investigate what is happening around you

• We often see something and wonder “How does that work?” or “Why does that do that?”

• How would you go about answering those questions?

– 1. Scientists observe, investigate, and experiment to find answers.

– 2. Scientists also use prior experience to predict what will occur in investigations.

– 3. Technology is the application of science to make products or tools that people can use.

Who uses science?

• Scientists• Engineers• Doctors, nurses, and all professions in the medical

field• Soldiers• Computer designers and programmers• The list goes on and on…

But most importantly…

YOUuse scienceevery day!

What is Science?

• Where can you find science or its results?

• Is science important in your life?

• Why should you study science?

• Communication in science– 1. Thousands of scientific journals

and magazines report the results and conclusions of experiments every year.

– 2. You can also keep scientific data and results in a Science Journal.

Skills that are commonly used in science:

• Observing

• Measuring

• Comparing and Contrasting

• Inferring

• Interpreting Data

• Drawing Conclusions

• Communicating your ideas in a journal

Ways to summarize data from an investigation:

• Use tables, graphs, and charts• Make models

And if you have access to a computer:

• Use a word processor• Use a database• Use an electronic spreadsheet

• Discussion QuestionWhy might it be important to keep a Science Journal?

• Scientists usually need to repeat experiments and all the conditions must be the same. Describing the experiment in your Science Journal can help you repeat the experiment. Also, you can write down results, problems, and questions for future consideration.

Section 2 Doing Science

Remember: “Science is the process used to investigate

what is happening around us in order to solve problems or answer questions.”

• Scientists use scientific methods - ways or steps to follow ( a process), to solve problems.

• These methods are based on observation, prior knowledge, and research, and experimentation (investigation).

• A. Scientific methods—ways, or steps to follow, to solve problems

• B. Descriptive research—answering a scientific question by making observations about the question

Steps scientists follow to solve scientific problems…

• Identify the problem

• Descriptive research– 1. State the research objective.– 2. Describe the research design, or

how you will carry out your investigation.

– 3. Eliminate bias, or expected results.–

– 4. Select the best materials for the investigation.•a. A model represents things that

happen too slowly, too quickly, or are too big, small, dangerous or expensive to observe directly.

•b. Scientists around the world use a system of measurements called the International System of Units to make observations

                                  

           

                                               

     

– 5. Design data tables, or ways to accurately record results and observations.

– 6. Analyze your data and figure out what your results mean.

– 7. Draw conclusions.

• C. Experimental research design—answering a scientific question by observation of a controlled situation

1. Identify the Problem 2. Form a hypothesis,

which is a prediction that can be tested.

• Educated Guess

• 3. Plan the experiment.– a. Independent variable—the

factor in the experiment that is changed

– b. Dependent variable—the factor in the experiment that is being measured

– c. Constants—variables that stay the same

– 4. Use a control—a sample that is treated like the other experimental groups except that the independent variable is not applied to it.

– 5. Conduct several trials of the experiment.

– 6. Analyze your results and draw conclusions.

– 7. Communicate

Section 3 Science and Technology

Science and Technology

A. Scientific discoveries lead to new products that influence your lifestyle in areas such as:

Entertainment

ConvenienceHealth

• 1.     Entertainment– a.      DVD– b.     English and Spanish Dialogue – c.      Computers – d.     Digital Camera

• 2.     Convenience– a.      Hand Held computers– b.     Cell Phones – c.      Microwave ovens – d.     Wireless internet – E. Power and battery tools

                 

• 3.     Health– a.      Skin Patch that releases a

constant dose of medicine into your body

– b.     Miniature instruments that allow doctors to operate on unborn babies

– c.      New computerized machines

                                                 

Olympus Video Gastroscope GIF 160 

                                                                          

– d.     New drug therapy – e.      Genetic engineering – Cures and

treatment of Genetic diseases

• B. Technology has made life more Convenient  

• C. Science provides information that people use to make decisions.

• Discussion Question• However, science cannot decide

whether the new information is good or harmful, moral or immoral.

• It is the task of science to answer questions and provide information, but

not to decide whether the new information is good or harmful. Can you think of some examples where science has provided information or advancements that people have used in a harmful way?