What is Science?
Science is
 A way of learning about the natural world
through observations and logical reasoning.
 This information can grow and change as new
ideas are explored.
 Scientific Inquiry refers to the various organized
methods of investigating problems and answering
questions.
Pure Science
 Involves gathering
information or the
discovery of a pattern.
 When that
information is applied
to some use, it
becomes technology.
Technology
 The practical use of
scientific information.
Major Categories
 Science is divided
into many categories:
 Life Science
 Earth Science
 Physical Science
 Physical science is the
study of matter and
energy.
 Two branches:
physics and chemistry
 You will study what
makes up matter and
how it behaves.
Finding out… solving problems.
The problem is a situation in which
something appears to be missing.
Solve the problem
Look for a pattern – did this happen
before?
Solving the problem – check out
everything that could be a possibility.
(appliance plugged in)
Plan a strategy – break the problem
down into smaller simpler steps.
Think critically!!!
Critical Thinking
 Using certain skills to
solve a problem.
Scientific Method!
 Ask questions
 Make observations
and inferences
 Develop hypotheses
 Conduct experiments
 Draw a conclusion
Be Curious…
Observation – involves all 5 senses
Data – are facts, figures, other evidence
collected during the experiment.
Inference – is a logical interpretation based
on observations and prior knowledge
Hypothesis
 Hypothesis is a
possible explanation
for observations that
relate to a scientific
question.
 A hypothesis must be
testable by
observation or
experiment.
Test the hypothesis
 Do the experiment
which is an organized
procedure for testing
the hypothesis.
 Collect Data
 Interpret Data
 Draw conclusions
 Communicate the
information
 Develop a theory – a well
tested idea that explains
and connects a wide
range of observations.
 Law is a statement that
describes what will
happen every time under
a particular set of
conditions.
Drawing the conclusion
 Control is a standard
for comparison This
is the constant factor
that doesn’t change or
vary in the
experiment.
Design a controlled experiment
Manipulated or independent variable is the
variable that the scientist changes.
Dependent variable is expected to change
due to the independent variable.
Controlled experiment is an investigation
in which all variables remain the same
except for one.
Steps to watch
Determine the problem
Make a hypothesis
Test your hypothesis
Analyze the results
Draw conclusions