What is science?

Agenda for Thursday Sept 4th 1. Nature of science/scientific method

Resources

Your User Name: kendricknovakYour Password: password

You can log on at http://my.hrw.com

Novak’s teacher website

Questions

What is science?

Why do we do science?

How do we do science?

Nature of Science

• Science – body of knowledge based on the study of nature– Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Earth Science

• Process based on inquiry that seeks to develop explanations

7 things Science does

• Relies on evidence• Expands knowledge• Challenges accepted theories• Questions results• Tests claims• Peer Review• Uses metric system

The Scientific Method involves a series of steps that are used

to investigate a natural occurrence.

Problem/QuestionObservation/Research

Formulate a HypothesisExperiment

Collect and Analyze ResultsConclusion

Communicate the Results

Steps of the Scientific Method

1. Problem/Question: Develop a question or problem that can be solved through experimentation.

Steps of the Scientific Method

2. Observation/Research: Make observations and research your

topic of interest.

Steps of the Scientific Method

3. Formulate a Hypothesis: Predict a possible answer to the problem

or question.Example: If soil temperatures rise,

then plant growth will increase.

Steps of the Scientific Method

4. Experiment: Develop and follow a procedure.

Include a detailed materials list.

Experimental Design• Control group – used for comparison, baseline

– may be a “no treatment” group– exposed to same conditions as experimental group,

except for the variable being tested– All experiments should have a control group

• Experimental Group – group that gets tested• 1 factor changes at a time

•Many trials

Experimental Design• Independent (manipulated) variable – a factor

that’s intentionally varied by the experimenter– tested factor

• Dependent (responding) variable – the factor that may change as a result of independent variable

• depends on the outcome of the independent variable• What you want to measure

• Constant – remains same in every test experiment

Data• Information gathered during an experiment

– Qualitative – observations

– Quantitative – numbers

Steps of the Scientific Method

5. Collect and Analyze Results: Modify the procedure if needed.Confirm the results by retesting.

Include tables, graphs, and photographs.

Steps of the Scientific Method

6. Conclusion: Include a statement that accepts or rejects the

hypothesis.Make recommendations for further

study and possible improvements to the procedure.

Steps of the Scientific Method

7. Communicate the Results: Be prepared to present the project.

Paper, presentations

Think you can name all seven steps?

Problem/QuestionObservation/ResearchFormulate a HypothesisExperimentCollect and Analyze ResultsConclusionCommunicate the Results

http://pic.twitter.com/LMr2yTCv

What is qualitative data? What is quantitative data?

Agenda for Friday Sept 5th 1. Types of graphs2. Outside lab

What type of graph to use• Line graph. • Pie Chart.• Bar Graph. • Area Graph.• X-Y Plot.

Leaf Lab DirectionsPart A1. Make 10 observations of the tree/leaf/outside

Part B2. Each person acquire 1 leaf.3. Measure (in cm) from base of leaf to tip of leaf.4. Record you and your partners lengths in data table5. Compile class data6. Record class data7. Make graph

Observations and inferences

• Inference - using observations, prior knowledge/experiences, and details from context to make connections and come up with ideas.

• Deduction – make a conclusion from something known or assumed

Models• A representation of an object or event

– Technology• Computer simulated model

• Hands on exploration

Hypotheses, Theories, Laws

• hypothesis – a suggested explanation; • a proposal based on reason that predicts a

possible correlation between multiple phenomena (incidents, events, observations, etc.)

Laws

• law – notes only that something happens;• happens consistently and across the universe• usually simply stated• frequently can be stated mathematicallyExample:• Newton’s 2nd Law: a = f/m

Theories

• theory – explains why something happens;• A framework about a class or group of

phenomena• Note – Theories are never “proven” – they are

confirmed by overwhelming data; all theories, like all ideas in science, are subject to correction

Four areas of Bias

• Representation of data• Funding of Research• Cultural Bias• Testing

Representation of Data

• Graphical/statistical

1 29

9.5

10

10.5

11

11.5

12

12.5

1 20

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

Funding of research

• Who is funding the research?–Bp or Exxon oil

• (Global climate change)–Tobacco industry (risks of smoking)–Audubon Society

• (Location of pipeline / Arctic drilling)–Greenpeace

Cultural Bias

• Questionnaires or surveys:–Surveys written in English given

to non-English language speakers

Testing

• Subjects used for testing–Animals / Humans for cosmetics or

pharmaceuticals

Scientific Method practice

Mr. Novak is working on a science project. His task is to answer the question: "Does Plantgro (a commercial plant product) affect the speed of plant growth".

Q: Describe how Mr. Novak would perform this experiment. Identify the control group, and the independent and dependent variables in your description.

Agenda for Friday Dec 13th 1. Quiz2. Read article

Julie soaked six different kinds of seeds in water for 24 hours. Then she planted the seeds in soil at a depth of 1 cm. She used the same amount of water, light, and heat for each kind of seed to see how each seed would grow.What 4 factors are being controlled?What is the independent variable?Agenda for Monday Dec 16th 1. Alka Seltzer lab part 1

What is the difference between a theory and a law?

Agenda for Tuesday Dec 17th 1. Alka seltzer lab part 2

Test Friday

1 2 3 4 5 6 Ave

Groups 1/2 A lot 51.4 56.5 55.6 56.15 69.2 67

Groups 3/4 200 mL 46.8 72 52 61 52 40

Groups 5/6 A little 48 34.6 28.7 26.1 20 20.7

1 2 3 4 5 6 Ave

Groups 7/8 Hot 18.9 19.5 23.8 24.6 25.8 24.9

Groups 9/10 Room Temp 52 50 56 65 57 90

Groups 11/12 Cold 75.3 63.3 80 86.2 94.9 122.5

Period 5 Data

1 2 3 4 5 6 Ave

Groups 1/2 A lot 50.9 42.4 48 55.2 50.9 59.8

Groups 3/4 200 mL 55 54.3 49.6 49.4 49.1 48

Groups 5/6 A little 46.6 42.2 43.8 50.3 46.4 63.7

1 2 3 4 5 6 Ave

Groups 7/8 Hot 27 26 25 17.1 23.1 24.9

Groups 9/10 Room Temp 57.2 36.5 38.17 30.6 36.19 34.3

Groups 11/12 Cold 95 108 123 104 101 115

1 2 3 4 5 6 Ave

Groups 13/14 Stirred 45 38 53 47 36 33

Groups 15/16 Not stirred 43 81 100 94 81 72

Period 3 Data

What is the difference between control and constants?

Agenda for Wednesday Dec 18th

1. Scientific method practice2. Design Bridge

Test Friday

List the 4 areas of bias.

Agenda for Thursday Dec 19th 1. Build and Test Bridge

Test Tomorrow**I will look at stamps***

TEST

• Scientific method– Independent/dependent variable– Control group/experimental– Constants

• Areas of bias• Observation/inferences• Qualitative/quantitative

Engineering points

• some lessons about design: – Build the simplest thing that could possibly work.

“simple” DOES NOT equal“stupid”.– Go with the strengths of the material you’re given.