Date post: | 11-May-2015 |
Category: |
Technology |
Upload: | stephanie-beck |
View: | 218 times |
Download: | 6 times |
Science, Matter, Energy, and Systems
Ch. 2Miller and Spoolman, 16th ed.
The Basic Scientific Method
• 5 steps Observation - all 5
senses Hypothesis - prediction
about the relationship between cause & effect
Experiment/Gather Data Analysis/Interpret Data Conclusion
Research - get as much info as you can before beginning
Levels of certainty
• Hypothesis: Prediction very specific Testable falsifiable
• Theory supported by tons of
evidence, widely accepted Broad carries a lot of weight in
science falsifiable
• Scientific Law Widely accepted All evidence supports it
here and in the universe
So far…
Frontier Science
• New stuff• Not widely tested yet• Many scientists skeptical (yay!)• Examples:
Advanced alternative energy technologies
Emerging areas of physics Space propulsion beyond rockets
Reliable Science
• Well tested• Good experimental design• Peer reviewed
Unreliable Science
• Not peer reviewed (straight to the public)
• Discarded by scientists
• BE CRITICAL!
The Limits of Science
• Scientists can disprove things
• Science cannot absolutely prove anything – always some degree of uncertainty
• Instead we say there is a high probability that it is true
The Limits of Science
• Researcher bias – our feelings, opinions, etc sometimes get in the way of impartial research Peer review helps minimize this issue
Listen…Learn…
• 8 minute radio interview with a wildlife photographer
• As you listen, think about these questions:
• Do animals have feelings the way humans do - or – do we anthropomorphize too much?
• What evidence do you have (if any) for this position?
• Is anthropomorphism helpful to environmentalists?
The Limits of Science
• Statistical tools have limits Can’t actually count all
the fish in the sea! Sampling methods
used Data still important –
especially trends in data over time
The Limits of Science
• The environment is SO complex
• Scientists use computer models to simulate conditions
• Can be helpful for large scale things like climate change
The Day The Day they they
ParachutParachuted Cats ed Cats
into into BorneoBorneo
Where in the world is Where in the world is Borneo?Borneo?
DirectionsDirections
1.1. Read over the different eventsRead over the different events2.2. LIST them on your paper in the LIST them on your paper in the
order you think they happenedorder you think they happened
Bonus points Bonus points for getting for getting pretty close pretty close (less than 3-(less than 3-4 off)4 off)
Some help…Some help… The first event is:The first event is:W.H.O. sent DDT to W.H.O. sent DDT to
BorneoBorneo The last event is:The last event is:Cats were parachuted Cats were parachuted
ininA food web present in A food web present in
Borneo: on boardBorneo: on board
So you are trying So you are trying to figure out:to figure out:
WHY did the WHY did the W.H.O. have to W.H.O. have to parachute cats parachute cats into Borneo? into Borneo? What led up to What led up to that?!?that?!?