The Nature of ScienceHello my future scientists!!!

What is science!?! Science is a way of

learning more about the natural world.

You use scientific thinking every day to make decisions like cooking, playing sports, riding a bike, etc.

Branches of ScienceLife Science

Life science is the study of living systems and the ways in which they interact.

Life scientist can study living organisms and how they interact.

Branches of ScienceEarth Science

Earth science is the study of earth systems and the systems in space.

It involves the study of nonliving things such as rocks, soil, clouds, rivers, oceans, planets, stars, meteors, black holes, weather, and climate systems.

Branches of Science.Physical science The study of matter and

energy is known as physical science.

There are two type of physical science: chemistry and physics. Chemistry is the study of matter

and the interactions of matter. Matter is anything that takes up

space and has mass. Physics is the study of energy and

it’s ability to change matter. Energy is the ability to cause change

in matter.

What is a system? A system is a collection of structures,

cycles and processes that relate to and interact with each other Parts of a system interact System are not only found in science… Example of a system: School (buildings,

chairs, teachers, students pencils, etc…)

Science and Technology Technology is the

practical use of science, or applied science as illustrated in the image.

In other words, the use of knowledge to solve practical problems

*Caption: Olympic swimsuits are examples of technology in science.

Scientific Theories

A scientific theory is an attempt to explain a pattern observed repeatedly in the natural world.

Theories in science are not guesses or opinions, they are observations and results from many investigations that can always change.

Scientific Laws

Scientific law is a rule that describes a pattern in nature.

An observation becomes a scientific law when if it’s been observed repeatedly.

The law stands until someone makes an observation that does not follow the law.

Scientific Method Scientific Method is a step by step list of

procedures to solve a scientific problem.

Scientific Method

1- Recognize the Problem Scientific problem is a question

that can be answered using scientific methods.

Observations: bits of information gathered with your senses.

Inference: a conclusion about an observation.

STOP!!!See “Observations and

Inference” PPT

Scientific Method

2- Form a Hypothesis Hypothesis: a statement/an

educated guess that can be tested.

Hypotheses are based on observations, research, and prior knowledge of a problem.

Scientific Methods3- Test Your Hypothesis

An experimental investigation is a series of carefully planned steps used to test a hypothesis.

Independent variable: the factor that changes in an experiment.

Dependent variable: the factor, or outcome, which will be measured in an experiment.

To test a variable, scientists often use constants. Constants: factors in an experiment that stay the same.

Control: a standard used for comparison.

STOP!!!!See “Identifying Variables” PPT!!!

Scientific Method

4- Analyze Your Data Data are collected during any

scientific study. Numeric values such as length,

volume, weight, or temperature. Observations that use adjectives and

phrases such as big, fast, green, bright, short, and weak.

Data must be recorded and studied.

Scientific Method5- Draw Conclusions and Communicate

Conclusion: a statement based on what is observed.

To make conclusions valid, the experiment must be repeated.

An important step in a scientific process is communicate the results of an investigation.

Reliability A science experiment should be replicable

(repeatable). The basis of science knowledge is in its

consistency and that means that the experiment should be reproducible. An experiment that is reliable should perform exactly the same way under the same conditions and produce similar results. If this experiment produces differently from the first trial then the results from the first trial can be considered an observation.

SAFETY!!!1. Never start without

your teacher2. Read directions 3. Fire/Electrical

Precautions4. Chemical Precautions5. Proper Equipment6. No Running, playing,

eating or throwing items

7. Clean up and dispose of items properly

Models in Science Physical models

Models you can see and touch

Computer models Models built with

computer software that can model events that can take a long time or take place too quickly

Idea models Describe how people

think of something in the natural world

Fig. Computer Model of DNA

Models in Science

Models make it easier to understand things that might be too difficult to observe directly Computer models can

show Earth moving, allow you to see things that are too small or to see situations that are too dangerous to show or impossible to show (like the ocean floor)

Measurements and Units Measurement is

the relationship of a physical quantity (such as a length or a mass) to a unit of measurement, (meter, kilogram, etc0

SI Base Units

SI Units

Derived Units

Conversions

Organizing Data Data Tables: easier to spot trends in the

data that can support or disprove a hypothesis.

Graphs

Line Graph: shows changes that occur in related variables.

The Independent (manipulated) variable is on the x-axis (horizontal axis).

The dependent (r) variable is on the y-axis (vertical axis).

Line Graph

Bar Graph Used to compare a set of

measurements, amounts, or changes.

Circle Graph A divided circle

that shows how a part or share of something relates to the whole.