Unit 1: Science, Technology and Engineering

Lesson 1:“What is Science”

Pg. 4-13

What is a Scientist?

• What comes to mind when you hear the word scientist?

• Take out a piece of scratch paper. In the next 5 minutes draw a picture of the “typical” scientist.

• At the bottom of your drawing, include words or phrases that you think describe what typical scientists do.

What is Science?

• Based upon our drawings what are some things you know scientists do?

– Ask questions– Perform experiments– Collect data

• Where might scientists work?

– Hospitals– Laboratories– Schools

Essential Question

• By the end of this lesson, you will be able to answer the previous questions as well as tell me–How is science different from other forms of

study?

Engage

• Please take 5 to 10 minutes to answer questions 1, 2, and 3 on pg. 5

Predict

• True or False: Science can determine what book you will enjoy

– False

• True or False: Scientists can often be creative when designing experiments.

– True

• True or False: Because they are so well educated, scientists do not need to make many observations before coming to a conclusion.

– False

• True or False: Scientific results can be proven incorrect.

– True

Contrast

• The pottery in the photo on pg. 5 is known for its unique appearance. This is partly because of the glaze used on it. What is one question a scientist might ask about this pottery and one question a nonscientist might ask?

• Example Questions

– Scientist: “What gives the glaze its unique shine?”

– Nonscientist: “Would this pottery go well with the furniture in my home?”

Explore

• Now please read pages 6-13 on your own. Be sure to answer questions 5-17 as you are reading.

What does Science Study?

• Can someone please define the term science?

What does Science Study?

• Science is the systematic study of natural events and conditions. It is a logical, structured way of thinking about the world.

The Natural World

• What subjects can be studied by science?

The Natural World

• What subjects can be studied by science?

– Biology (Life Science): the study of all living things– Geology (Earth Science): studies Earth’s materials

and processes– Astronomy: study of objects in outer space– Physical Science: study of energy and all nonliving

matter, includes physics and chemistry

Are all of these branches unique?

The Natural World

• NO! The branches of science often overlap.

Testable Ideas

• Can I have three volunteers read one of their responses to question 6 on pg. 6 and tell me if the question can be answered scientifically.

Testable Ideas

• How are scientific questions different from other types of questions?

Testable Ideas

• ** They can be proven wrong!

• Results of scientific questions can be measured and compared

Testable Ideas

• Lets go through a few examples and determine if the questions are scientific or unscientific. – 1) What does the inside of Earth look like?– 2) Will I make the sports team?– 3) How hot is the sun?

Testable Ideas

• Lets go through a few examples and determine if the questions are scientific or unscientific. – 1) What does the inside of Earth look like?

Testable Ideas

• Lets go through a few examples and determine if the questions are scientific or unscientific. – 1) What does the inside of Earth look like?• Scientific

Testable Ideas

• Lets go through a few examples and determine if the questions are scientific or unscientific.

2) Will I make the sports team?

Testable Ideas

• Lets go through a few examples and determine if the questions are scientific or unscientific.

– 2) Will I make the sports team?

Testable Ideas

• Lets go through a few examples and determine if the questions are scientific or unscientific. – 2) Will I make the sports team?• Unscientific

Testable Ideas

• Lets go through a few examples and determine if the questions are scientific or unscientific. – 3) How hot is the sun?

Testable Ideas

• Lets go through a few examples and determine if the questions are scientific or unscientific. – 3) How hot is the sun?• Scientific

Testable Ideas

• Let’s take another look at question 2. – Will I make the team?

Can we rewrite this question so that it is testable and, therefore, scientific?

Testable Ideas

• Let’s take another look at question 2. – Will I make the team?

Can we rewrite this question so that it is testable and, therefore, scientific?

• YES! Instead we can write…– Will I make the team if I do all of my exercises?

What is a Scientific Explanation?

• A scientific question describes a natural process, and relies heavily on evidence from direct observation and testing.

• What is empirical evidence?

What is a Scientific Explanation?

• Empirical evidence is evidence gained from observation. It includes observations, measurements, and other types of data scientists gather.

• Personal feelings and opinions are NOT empirical evidence.

• Scientists must disclose all information supporting a scientific explanation.

• Furthermore, if one scientist does an experiment, another should be able to conduct the same experiment and get the same result for the explanation to be strong.

How is a Scientific Explanation Evaluated?

• After learning a scientific explanation describing a particular problem or phenomena, scientists evaluate the explanation using a series of steps.

– 1) Look at all empirical evidence supporting the explanation, including past experiences

– 2) Consider if the explanation is logical. Does it contradict anything you know?

– 3) Think of other experiments to support ideas

– 4) Evaluate the explanation. Has it stood up to logic and testing?

How is a Scientific Explanation Evaluated?

• Let’s discuss your answers to the scientific explanation of how popcorn pops on pg. 9 of your books.

How do Scientists Show Creativity?

• Although scientists rely on observations and practice logical thinking, they can be creative in designing experiments and drawing explanations from them.

In Designing Experiments

• On pg. 10, you read about a method enviornmental scientists used to detect harmful substances in drinking water.

• How does this example illustrate creativity in designing experiments?

In Designing Experiments

• How does this example illustrate creativity in designing experiments? – This example illustrates a new and original way to

detect contaminants in water without putting people in danger.

In Explaining Observations

• Creative minds can put old evidence together in new ways. New explanations are as important as new observations.

• What did Isaac Newton witness that many had seen before and how did he explain it in a new, creative way?

In Explaining Observations

• Newton took the falling of an apple and used it to explain gravity in a way that many could understand. He did this by comparing the apple being pulled to Earth to the moon being pulled to the Earth.