The Nature of Science

The goal of science is to understand the world around us.

Scientists attempt to solve mysteries of nature.

Facts are truths about nature.

When possible they perform experiments.

They develop a scientific theory.

A theory is the most logical explanation based on the facts.

They don’t just guess.

Theories may or may not be correct.

These theories must be tested over and over again.

If the theory passes each test, it may be accepted by the scientific community and become a law.

Laws, like theories, may change as new information is provided and new experiments are performed.

Science Process Skills

Skills you need to be a “good” scientist!!

ObservingDefinition – using one or more of your five senses

to gather information about an object

The moose feels soft and fluffy.

The moose is brown.

The moose smells like chocolate.

The moose tastes furry.

The moose jingles.

Observations MUST be accurate and factual – NO OPINIONS!!!

Moose are adorable.

Inferring and Predicting

Def. – guessing or making a conclusion about an object or future event based on what you observed

Classifying

Definition – putting objects into groups based on similar characteristics

shape

size

color

use

Representing Data

Definition –organizing measurements to make your information easier to use and understand

• It can be a picture, diagram, graph, etc.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr

East

West

North

Communicating

• Describing an object or event to another person

• Sharing information

Measuring

• Definition – determining the length, area, volume, mass, or temperature to describe objects

Earth Science

Life Science

Physical Science

Branches of Science

Ecology

• the study of organisms and their environment

• An ecologist is someone who studies organisms and their environment

Microbiology

• study of microscopic organisms

• A microbiologist is a person who studies microscopic organisms

Botany

• the study of plants

• A Botanist is a person who studies plants

Zoology

• the study of animals

• A zoologist is a person who studies animals