Download AIM #2: What is Science? - Manhasset Public Schools

AIM #2: WHAT IS SCIENCE?
CLASS BRAINSTORM
I. DEFINING SCIENCE
A. Science is a process that uses observation and
investigation to learn about the natural world
(atoms, plants, ecosystems, natural forces, galaxies etc)
B. Categories of Science
A. Life Science
Studies living things
B. Earth Science
Investigates Earth and
Space
C. Physical Science
Studies matter, energy,
chemistry and physics
C. How does Science explain the natural world?
Scientists learn new information about the
natural world by using the following skills:
•
Observations
•
Inferences
•
Predictions
•
Classification
•
Evaluating
How would you define
these words?
1.
• Using your senses and tools to gather
Observation
information.
(observe) • A quantitative observation deals with numbers
and results that can be measured (Ex: I am 6
feet tall).
• A qualitative observation uses your senses to
observe results. It uses descriptions, not
numbers (Ex: this lemon is sour).
For the following scenarios, write (1) if it is a
quantitative observation and a (2) if it is qualitative.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
2
The leaf is light green ____
1
There is 1 liter of soda in the bottle____
2
It makes a loud popping sound ___
1
The dog weighs 20 pounds ___
The temp of the room increased 8°F___
1
2. Inference • Making an explanation about what is happening
(Infer)
or what has happened based on an observation
Observation: There is water on the roads
Inference: It was raining
Observation: Steam is rising off the cup of coffee
Inference: The coffee is hot
Observation: There are pieces of eggshell in a nest
Inference: A bird hatched
3. Prediction • Making a statement about what will happen in
(Predict)
the future based on past experience or evidence
You are in a zoo and see that a chimp’s
hair is standing up. You know that if a
chimp’s hair is standing up it usually
means they are angry.
What is the observation in this scenario?
The chimp’s hair is standing up
What is the inference?
The chimp is angry
What can you predict that this angry chimp might do next?
He might go crazy or attack!
4.
Classifying
(Classify)
• Grouping together of items that are alike in
some way
• Allows scientists better understand what they
are studying
5. Evaluating • Comparing observations and data to reach a
(Evaluate)
conclusion.
BOY IN THE WATER
Why are observations so important when
conducting science experiments?
Why is it important that we don’t confuse
observations with inferences?
II. SCIENTIFIC IDEAS
Do you think the following are true or false?
Write T or F in the blank space
1. Nature can be understood through studying it _____
1. Once a scientific idea has been made, it can never be
revised ______
1. Science can provide the answers to all questions _____
II. SCIENTIFIC IDEAS
A. Scientific Law- a statement describing what
always happens under certain
statement describing
conditions in nature
what always happens
under
certain law of gravity states objects always fall
Ex: Newton’s
conditions
in nature
towards Earth
due to the pull of gravity. Based on this law,
Newton could explain many natural events (why apples fall
from trees, why the moon orbits Earth)
B. Scientific ideas can change - ideas are always tested,
challenged and revised.
C. Science cannot answer all questions - science is based
on observations and relies on evidence and logic
SUMMARY
Why are scientific processes
necessary to to study the natural
world?