Download 8.24 Classwork 01.01 Exploring Life

Key Questions and Terms
It’s difficult to define science.
We do have a set of
characteristics that we can
use to describe science
though. List the five
characteristics:
Notes
Science Checklist
1. observable
2. replicable
3. testable
4. reliable
5. flexible
Give an example of a testable
question that could be
investigated:
An example of a testable question is: Does the time of day
affect how well students perform on tests?
Give an example of a nontestable question:
Why is watermelon the best fruit?
What is pseudoscience?
Give an example of
pseudoscience.
Pseudoscience is fake science.
An example of pseudoscience is astrology.
It is so important in our
everyday lives to be able to
evaluate if a claim is truly
scientifically reliable or not.
No, I cannot evaluate whether this advertisement is a
Often, advertisements will
reliable claim or not.
claim to have “proven results”.
1. Where is all of the evidence to support this claim?
Can you evaluate if this
2. Has the claim been retested by other scientists
advertisement is a reliable
who have received similar results?
claim or not?
3. Is the claim supported by evidence that is all
Give an example of 3
factual and has no bias?
questions you can ask yourself
to determine if a claim is
scientifically reliable or not:
What are the steps of the
scientific method?
The steps of the scientific method are 1) ask a question, 2)
research, 3) form a hypothesis, 4) perform an experiment,
5) analyze data and 6) conclusion.
Define the following terms:
PurposeResearchAvoiding BiasHypothesisExperimentIndependent VariableDependent VariableControlAnalysisConclusion-
Purpose- the reason for which an experiment is made or
done.
Research- the systematic investigation into and study of
materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach
new conclusions.
Avoiding Bias- avoiding prejudice in favor of or against of
one thing, group, or person.
Hypothesis- An explanation for a specific observation,
phenomenon, or scientific problem that is based on
scientific knowledge and can be tested by further
investigation.
Experiment- a scientific procedure undertaken to make a
discovery, test a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact.
Independent Variable- The one factor that a scientist
chooses to change, or alter, in a scientific experiment.
Dependent Variable- The one factor that will be observed
or measured as a result of an experiment to see how it was
affected by changes to the independent variable.
Control- a group or individual used as a standard of
comparison for checking the results of a survey or
experiment.
Analysis- determining what the results of the experiment
show and deciding on the next actions to take.
Conclusion- a short paragraph that discusses the overall
results of an experimental procedure and explains whether
the proposed hypothesis at the beginning of the
experiment was correct or not.
What are the 3 kinds of
variables of an experiment?
The three kinds of variables are independent, dependent,
and controlled variables.
Out of hypothesis, theory and
law, which occurs BEFORE the
experiment is completed?
Hypothesis occurs before the experiment is completed.
What is a scientific theory?
A scientific theory is a broad explanation of the natural
world that is based on strong scientific support.
What is a scientific law?
A scientific law is a description of what we expect to
happen in the natural world, based on many observations
and data collected over time.
Remember that a theory does
not become a law because by
definition, a theory can always
be altered whereas a law is
An example of a theory in science is the Atomic Theory.
fact and does not change.
An example of a scientific law is the Law of Conservation.
Give an example of a theory in
science:
Give an example of a scientific
law.
Sample questions:
A scientist was studying the stars and their influence on the personalities of 100 people over
a four year time period. Through his investigation he determined that people that were born
during August were more strong willed and driven than individuals born in October. People
born in October were more relaxed and could better handle stress. Is the scientist’s research
considered science?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Yes, because the scientist conducted his research for an extended period of time.
Yes, because the scientist followed the scientific method.
No, because the scientist conducted his research with 100 people
No, because the scientist followed personalities which is pseudoscience.
Joe is conducting an experiment to determine which liquid will cause bean plants to grow
faster. He watered the plants with equal amounts of liquid and measured their height every
other day. The plants are in the same pots with different soils and placed in the same location.
Will Joe be able to obtain reliable data to write a supported conclusion?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Yes, because he is only observing the height of the plant.
Yes, because he consistent with watering the plants.
No, because he used different soils.
No, because he uses only one type of plant.
Tina is getting ready to plan her science fair project. She is interested in doing something with
tomato plants. Which of the following could be tested through scientific experimentation?
A. Which variety of tomato plant produces the tomatoes that taste the best?
B. Which variety of tomato plant will look the most attractive in her garden?
C. Which variety of tomato plant will produce the greatest yield in her garden?
D. Which type of fertilizer will produce the tastiest tomatoes?
Which statement is true about scientific theories and laws?
1. A theory can never become a law
B. If enough evidence is found for theory, it will become a law.
C. Theories have more proof than laws.
D. Only laws are widely accepted by the scientific community