Project #___: Unit 1: The Nature of Science
Reading Packet
Name: _____________________________ Core 1 2 3 4
Points ____/100 pts On-time
In high school and beyond, you will be expected to take more and more responsibility for your own learning.
Reading assignments will be a common expectation. We will be doing active reading assignments using textbooks,
throughout the year, to help you get ready. These activities will: 1) help you learn how to take guided notes and
summaries as you read a textbook; 2) improve your non-fiction reading comprehension skills; 3) prepare you to
more fully participate in class discussions, activities and labs; 4) help you get better grades, now, and going forward.
Use: Blue Voyagers Textbook
On-line Access: School Website  Teacher Websites  Mr. Bruner 8th Grade
Science Class Files  Science Voyagers (Book)
http://www.boone.k12.ky.us/olc/class.aspx?id=25742&s=2658
Pre-Reading Directions:
1. Before you begin your reading assignment, preview the text pages and your reading packet section.
2. Next, read each sub-section completely, and then, go back and complete your notes in the packet.
3. Do NOT try to skim the reading to just fill-in-the-blanks. That approach won’t really save you much
time, and you will not get nearly the same kind of benefit from the exercise.
Chapter 1 Section 1 page 1 to ___________ Scientific Problem Solving
Notes Tip: Notice how the headings and sub-headings can be used to organize notes into an
outline.
A. What Science Is
3. Science is a process used to _____________________________________________________________________
Using Math (pg. 8) You will be expected to use 4-Part format for all problems, this year.
Given
Formula
temp. = 20 degrees C
speed = 1522 m/s
time = 20 seconds
(How deep means
solving for distance.)
speed = distance/ time
s=d
t
So, d = s (t)
4. Work
d = _______ m/s ( _____ s)
5. Solution
d = _________________ m
Include Units! NO
naked numbers.
B. Scientists as Explorers
6. Are scientists “explorers?” Why or why not? __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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C. Scientific Methods
7. scientific method = ________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8.
Recognize the
P_______________
9.
Form a
H________________

The problem solving process begins with:
A p__________________________ or A q___________________________
Need to make o___________________ and do r__________________________.
Hypothesis = _________________________________________________________
Written as i_______ …. t_____________ statements.
Example: IF ________________________________, then ____________________




Theory
Definition:
Scientific Law
Definition:
Example: ___________________________
10.
T________________
Your
Hypothesis
11. control = __________________________________________________________________
12. controlled experiment = _________________________________________________
13. variable = _________________________________________________________________
14. independent variable = __________________________________________________
15. dependent variable = ____________________________________________________
16.
P______________
Experiment
19.
Do
E___________________
21.
Analyze
D______________
17. Constant = ________________________________________________________________
18. An experimental plan includes:
List of m_______________________________ needed
Steps in the p______________________ that will be followed
o And, may include t___________________ the procedure to make sure it
tests for the d___________________ v_______________________ that you
want to measure.
17. “blind” experiment = _______________________________________________________
18. Observations can include: 1) m_________________________________ and
d____________________________________
19. Data t_________________________ use to organize r_____________________
20. Observational studies = _________________________________________________
o
o


Observational studies = _________________________________________________
Graphs: (Figure 1-12)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
independent variable goes on __________________________________________
dependent variable goes on ____________________________________________
l______________ each axis with appropriate s_________________________
p__________________ the d____________________
create a “best fit” l___________________ through the d________ points

Conculsion = statement based on r_____________________________
F. Create a legend to describe the d__________________ test trials
22. Draw
C___________________
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Section 1.1 Assessment (page 19)
23. (Question # 3) Why is conducting multiple trials a good idea? ___________________________________
24. (Question # 4) What else could Kashanna have used as the independent variable in her
experiment? ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Using Math: (page 19)
25. Use the data in Table 1-1 (page 16) to find the average number of words for each trial.
Type of Music
Trial 1
Number of Words Copied
Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 4
Average
26. No music
27. Classical
28. Soft Rock
29. Hard Rock
30. What was the control? _______________________________________
31. What was the independent variable? _________________________________________________________
(What did Kashanna the investigator, change each time?)
32. What was the dependent variable? ___________________________________________________________
(What did Kashanna measure?)
33. Make a BAR Graph to show the results of your calculations:
Dependent
Variable
34. Title: ________________________________________
35._________________
Data Key:
 control
 classical
 solid
 hard
36. Independent Variable: _______________________________
37. Under which conditions would Mario study best? ______________________ Support your
conclusion with data based evidence! WHY are you right? _____________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 1 Section 2 page 1 to _______ Using Science to Explore
Using Technology
38. technology = ___________________________________________________________________________________
39. 3 hostile environments where an ROV could help scientists explore: ____________________________
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Using Science to Develop Technology
40. Reading Check  : What is the difference between comparing and contrasting?
o Comparing =____________________________________________________________________________
o Contrasting = ___________________________________________________________________________
41. sequence = _____________________________________________________________________________________
42. While testing procedures or equipment, scientists only change o____________
i____________________________ variable at a time, so __________________________________________________.
43. inference = _______________________________________________________________________________________
44. center of mass =__________________________________________________________________________________
45. stability can be increased by:
o Lowering _____________________________________________________________________________
o Increasing ____________________________________________________________________________
o Example: f_____________________ player’s knees b___________ and feet wide a__________
46. It’s important for scientists to organize data and communicate results, because ________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
47. Figure 1- 18 (page 26) ALWAYS look at the graphics and read the captions in textbooks.
Colored ink is expensive, so the textbook publishers do not waste money on pictures for no
reason.
 What might the researchers on this ocean-research vessel be studying in the Chukchi Sea
(between Alaska and Russia)?
o _______________________________________________________________________________________
o _______________________________________________________________________________________
Using Science Skills to Explore
48. Do scientists always follow one set method to explore? __________ Explain: _______________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
However, they do use many of the same skills whenever doing science including:
49. O_______________________ = _________________________________________________________________________
50. I_______________________ = _________________________________________________________________________
51. M_______________________= _________________________________________________________________________
52. I________________________= _________________________________________________________________________
53. C_______________________ = ________________________________________________________________________
Safe Science - What does SAFE TIPS mean? In general it is an acronym for s________________________
Summarize each briefly: S.A.F.E. T.I.P.S.
54. S_________________ lab only teacher
55. T ____________ your teacher immediately or
p_____________________________________
accidents, injuries, or spills
A________ questions if you don’t understand a
I _________________________the location of
procedure.
emergency equipment.
F ___________________________ ALL safety symbols.
P____________ away chemicals and supplies
E___________________________ in responsible
properly.
behavior
S_____________ test tubes away from you when
heating.
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Section 1.1 Assessment (page 27)
56. (Question #4) You have read about ways that scientists are like explorers. How are modern
scientists different from explorers in the past?
The Circle of Life (page 29) Read the selection.
57. The key point is that many cultures that ________________________________________________ have
noticed __________________________________________________________, and in recent times, scientists have
provided __________________________________________________ such as:
58. s____________________ s________________________
59. a____________________
Think Critically – Look through your textbook for additional examples of cyclical patterns. Find
1 example and the pages where you found them in the table below:
Cyclical Patter Examples in Textbook
60.
Page # where you found the example:
61.
Chapter 1 – Reviewing Main Ideas (page 30)
Review sections in a textbook cover the MAIN ideas in the chapter. You can use these sections
to do a quick preview AND review. Each section will cover 3-5 KEY IDEAS. To summarize the
review section, you need to find the 3-5 key ideas and put them in your own words. (Hint:
Use text features like bolded words to help you do this.)
Section 1-1 Scientific Problem Solving: What are 5 KEY IDEAS in the section? Summarize
them in your own words.
62. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
63. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
64. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
65. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
66. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
67. Why should only one variable at a time be changed in a controlled experiment? ________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
68. What would happen if you changed MORE than one variable in an experiment? _________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Section 1-2 Using Science to Explore: What are 3 KEY IDEAS in the section? Summarize them
in your own words.
69. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
70. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
72. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Career Connection John Swallow, Forest Technician
73. How does Mr. Swallow help logging companies AND helps to conserve the forest? Discuss 2
ways he helps:
 ____________________________________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________________________________
74. How can science help our understanding of the impact of logging on a forest? _________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 1 Assessment (pages 32 & 33) Worth 20 points
Using Vocabulary - Use the selection of words (a through m) on page 32
75. A __________________________ is an approach to solve a problem.
76. An _________________________ is a prediction about a problem that can be tested.
77. ___________________________________________ is the process of trying to understand the world around
us.
78. A ____________________________ is a standard to compare with..
79. The ______________________________ ______________________________ is the factor being measured in the
controlled experiment.
Checking Concepts & Critical Thinking - Answer questions 6 – 20 in the spaces below.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
11.
91. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
92. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
93. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
94. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
95. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______ On-time = 5 points = 100 points and an A+ !!!! 
Chapter 1 Assessment Answer Key: 1) scientific method; 2) hypothesis; 3) science; 4) control; 5) dependent variable; 6) A;
7) control variables; 8) D; 9) C; 10) D; 11) B; 12) A; 13) B; 14) A; 15) B; 16) be late or too early for school; 17) To know that
it was the drug that had the effect, if any.; 18) Example: TV shows preferred by family members; 19) You, someone else, a
pet or equipment could be damaged and/ or the experiment could be ruined. ; 20) They need more information to
narrow down and focus the hypothesis to what is currently unknown.
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