Science is…

a method that humans use to organize and explain the natural world

“Kinds” of SciencePure Science –

-the study of science alone – not including its relations to other subjects

Applied Science –-applying scientific knowledge to practical problems

Example:Pure Science- studying the human eye and visionApplied Science- (technology), designing glasses

or lenses

Science is…

The study of both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the world:

Quantitative = quantities (how much)

Qualitative = descriptives (like color, texture, etc…)

Science…

Tries to answer the questions of

what, where, how, why and when

using the

Scientific Method

Scientific Method

• Is a blend of creative and critical thinking processes with problem solving techniques

• Procedure that scientists use to carry out research

1st Step of the Scientific Method

Make observation

• Observations lead to the formulation of a question or a problem that needs solving

• Observations can be quantitative and qualitative

• Recognize any patterns, may collect data and organize it

• Leads to the formulation of a question or a problem that needs solving.

• Make sure there is only one problem being studied

Research the Problem

• Look up everything you can on your topic– Visit your library or go on the internet– Conduct personal interviews– Search for references (magazines, journals,

books, newspapers articles) that have been written about the topic you are interested in

2nd Step of the Scientific Method Form a hypothesis• An educated guess

• Formulate reasonable explaination for these observations

• What do you think might happen?

• A hypothesis must be a testable statement upon which the experiements are based

3rd Step of the Scientific Method

Experimentation

• Experiment = a systematic test of variables

• Designed and conducted to test the hypothetical answers

• Be sure to include a control trial to provide a basis for comparison

• Control is the trial in which the condition being tested is omitted

Experimentation

• Will also have the variables which you will be collecting data on and observing

• Variables = conditions that you change between the various trials in your experiment

Experimentation

• Develop and conduct a controlled experiment• Test one variable at a time• Qualitative vs. quantitative data

– Quantitative - Collection of numerical data– Ex. Collecting height and weight data of all students in

this class

– Qualitative - Descriptive • Use of observational data or written descriptions of what

scientists observe• Useful when qualitative data collection is not appropriate

– Ex. Study of how gorillas behave

Components of a Controlled Experiment

A. Control setup• Setup in which all conditions are kept the same

B. Experimental setup• Setup in which all conditions are kept the same

except for the one being tested

C. Independent variable• The condition (variable) being changed by you

D. Dependent variable• The condition (variable) being observed or

measured in the experiment

Experimentation

Conduct the experiments

• Keep notes, records of all observations

• May be short time frame or may take a long period of time depending on what you are trying to prove.

• The experiments will provide the data that will be analyzed to determine if your hypothesis is valid

Data

• Data will be collected

• Data will be organized in tables or charts and graphs

• Evaluate the data to see if the hypothesis is valid

For an experiment to be valid:

• Must be set up so they are not biased toward any one answer

• Must be repeated so that all experiements lead to the same results.

Hypothesis not correct• Sometimes experiments disprove the

hypothesis• Scientists might either reject original

hypothesis and formulate a new oneOR• Revise the original hypothesis

• Process is repeated until hypothesis is proven, then results are expressed as a conclusion

4th Step of the Scientific Method Formulate a conclusion• Summary of the results of the experiment.

• This may or may not support the hypothesis

• In the research world of science the conclusion may be presented as a Theory or Law depending upon the type of results collected.

Theory

• Tested model that explains a natural phenomenon

• However it cannot be proven absolutely correct!

• It is the best explanation based on experimental evidence

• May change w/advances in science • Examples: Theory of Evolution, Big Bang

Theory

Law• Expression of a consistent pattern in nature.• Something that always occurs under a

certain set of conditions• Sometimes are developed from theories.• May also change depending on advances in

science• Examples: Law of Conservation of Energy,

Law of Conservation of Matter, Law of Gravity

• An example of the scientific method: Let's say I have a problem: My car won't start. How would I use the scientific method to solve this problem?  

• Purpose: I want my car to start • Hypothesis: If I put gas in my car, it will start. • Materials: 5 gallon gas can, 5 gallons gasoline, money to buy

gasoline, a ride to the gas station • Procedure: First, I will call my friend Bill and ask for a ride to the

gas station. I will take the five gallon gas can and fill it with five gallons of gasoline at the pump. After paying the gas station owner for the gasoline, I will get a ride back to my car and put the gasoline in the tank. Once the gasoline is in the tank, I will attempt to restart the car.

• Results: The car started on the first try. • Conclusion: When I put gas in my car, it started.

Observation - you see something (say an ant on a kitchen table)

Question - (you ask, "Why is it there")Hypothesis - you propose a reason (he's searching for food)Experiment - you put food where he can reach it

What could be the results and conclusion?

Observation: In many parts of Europe, medieval farmers stored grain in barns with thatched roofs (like Shakespeare’s house). As a roof aged, it was not uncommon for it to start leaking. This could lead to spoiled or moldy grain, and of course there were lots of mice around. Hypothesis: Mice came from the moldy grain.

It was obvious to them that the mice came from the moldy grain …

Make observations

Propose an Hypothesis

Design an Experiment

State a Conclusion

Look for patternsCollect preliminary

Data

Gather and organize Data

Analyze the data

Proves hypothesis valid Proves hypothesis invalidRevise hypothesis

TheoryLaw

The SCIE 0900 Plant Project?What is it exactly?

• Research Project• Implement Scientific

Method• Collaborate with 1 or

2 lab partners• Everyone will work

together to compete the experiment – HOWEVER everyone will do their own research and submit their own report.

• Each lab group will be assigned a problem and the variable to be tested

• Each lab group will build planters, set them up and care for them while the plants grow

• Each individual is responsible for working with lab partners to collect and record all qualitative and quantitative data.

Bottle planter set-ups have already been prepared for you

Saturate wick with water and then thread wick through the hole in the cap

Fill top half with soil

Fill bottom half with distilled water

Plant seeds

Lightly cover w/saran wrap

Don’t forget to record what you are doing!!

What are the experiments that you might do?

• Water Pollution (of soap)• Gravitropism• Phototropism• Salt Pollution• Nitrogen• Acidity

ALL of the problem has been designed for you and the variables identified.

• All planters will be kept on the plant cart in the lab.

• The lights will be on 24-7

• Please use care when handling your planters.

• Try not to disturb the neighboring planters.

Potential Problems:

• Planters may dry out• Planters may tip over• Solutions were made

up incorrectly

Results….

Plant Project Assignment• Plant Project Homework page

Submit the following for review:purposehypothesisvariablecontrolBackgroundCopies of resources you use (no fewer than 3)Remember to cite your resources (we will go over how to do this)