What is Science?
Observation and Inference
What is Science?
“Science is the belief in the ignorance of
experts.”
“Science is a way of trying not to fool yourself.”
Richard Feynman
Physicist
Nobel Prize Winner
“Science is an internally consistent set of
lies designed to explain away the universe.”
Art Beaucoup
Paleobiologist
3-Aspects of Science
Facts
Science
Concepts
Processes
Models
Laws
Theories
Scientific
Knowledge
Nature of
Science
3-Aspects of Science
Process Skills:
Scientific
Questioning
Knowledge
Observing
Measuring
Inferring
of
Predicting Nature
Science
Classifying
Science
Processes
3-Aspects of Science
Science
Processes
Scientific
Knowledge
Science as a way of knowing.
Nature of
Science
3-Aspects of Science
Science
Processes
Scientific
Knowledge
Nature of
Science
Process vs. Nature of Science
Observation–Using your 5 senses to gather information about your
surroundings
–What you “see” happening
Inference–A conclusion based on evidence
–An “educated guess”
–What you “think” is happening
Comics in the Classroom
Make observations and inferences about the following cartoons.
“Notice all the computations, theoretical scribblings, and
lab equipment, Norm….Yes, curiosity killed these cats.”
“Notice all the computations, theoretical scribblings, and
lab equipment, Norm….Yes, curiosity killed these cats.”
What’s the Point?
• Good way to practice making
observations and inferences
(process skills)
• Reinforces concept that scientific
knowledge is based on observations and
inferences (nature of science)
“Field Science” 201
Your science class is on
a field trip to a fossil bed
in Alberta, Canada.
While exploring the site,
you discover a slab of
rock covered with
interesting impressions.
Your instructor invites
the class to make
observations and
inferences about the
imprints…
Conclusion Points
• Scientific knowledge is a combination of
observation and inference.
• Inferences are tentative.
• As you get new data, your inferences
can change.
Process vs. Nature of Science
If observations is using your 5 senses to gather
information about your surroundings
Observe This
and
Make Observations & Inferences!