Name: ______________________ Date: ___ Per. _____ Integrated Science 7
Is it Science or Non-Science?
Identify each statement as being scientific or non-scientific and the principle
of science you used to tell.
____________ ___________ 1.Green plants will grow towards a light source.
____________ ___________2.Green plants use sunlight to make energy
____________ ___________3.Santa Claus delivers presents to every child in
the world on Christmas Eve while they sleep.
____________ ___________4.Extraterrestrial beings have visited Earth.
___________ ____________5.Some plants eat other things.
____________ ___________6.If you are a Sagittarius, your horoscope for
today is “you’ll be saying, ‘I feel rich.’ The position of the moon high lights
unexpected money coming your way”
___________ ____________7.We know that the world began about 6000 years
ago, and nothing will change that.
Answer the question in 4-6 COMPLETE sentences.
8. Just because a statement is non-scientific, does it mean that the statement
isn’t true? _____ Please explain your answer using ways of knowing.
Review for quiz: Microbes from Mars
In August 1996, a panel of scientists revealed a secret held for two years. They unveiled the first
evidence of possible life on the Red Planet. The Mars meteorite research team, led by Dave McKay and
Everett Gibson, described startling findings in an ancient meteorite which was blasted off Mars and
landed in Antarctica. This rock contains organic molecules and microscopic bits of iron oxides like those
produced by bacteria. Even more amazing are images of worm-like forms so small that they can only be
seen by the most powerful electron microscope. Even though there are other interpretations of each of
the pieces of evidence, taken together, “We believe that these tiny guys can be interpreted as fossil
bacteria” says McKay.
Reactions of other scientists to the discovery have been skeptical, and in some cases, downright hostile.
Some scientists, who have studied the meteorite, say that the carbonate minerals containing these
features formed at temperatures too high for life to exist. Ralph Harvey suggests the worm- like forms
aren’t microfossils, but elongated iron oxides, formed in volcanic fumaroles too hot to support life. Luann
Becker suggests that the organic molecules are produced by contamination in Antarctica.
The debate rages hot and cold. The Life on Mars team continues to collect more data- magnetic and
isotope chemistry suggest a cold origin. Meanwhile, the naysayers add more lines of negative evidence:
the fossil-like forms are too small to hold a molecule of DNA. Tim Swindle, who took an informal poll of
planetary scientists, says it came out even, with most scientists sitting on the fence waiting for more
data.
9. Does this article follow the Natural Principle? Explain how it does or does not follow this
principle.
10. Does this article follow the Observable Principle? Explain how it does or does not follow this
principle.
11. Does this article follow the Testable Principle? Explain how it does or does not follow this
principle.
12. Does this follow the Repeatable Principle? Explain how it does or does not follow this
principle.
13. Does this follow the Tentative Principle? Explain how it does or does not follow this
principle.