JOURNAL # 1
What is science?
(Give a definition in your own words)


List as many different types of science as
you can think of.
Science & the Scientific
Method
Notes
Work © 2007 Tim F. Rowbotham
What is Science?
Science comes from the Latin word
“scire” which means to know
 Science attempts to discover facts
and truths about our universe
 Science is the quest to know what
is factual and true about the
universe

Types of Science

Science is often divided into two main
categories or branches:
 the
physical sciences
 the
life sciences
Physical Sciences

Physical sciences focus on energy
and nonliving matter and the way
they interact
Physical Sciences
Major branches of physical science
 Physics – matter & energy
 Chemistry – matter (atoms)
 Geology – earth
 Astronomy – space

Physics


Physics is the study of matter and
energy and the forces that govern
the interactions between them
This includes study of light, sound,
heat, electricity, magnetism, wave
energy, motion, and radioactivity
Chemistry


Chemistry is the study of matter at
the atomic level
This involves the study of the
structure and behavior of atoms
Geology


Geology is the study of the earth
It includes the study of atmosphere
and weather (meteorology), the
oceans (oceanography), and plate
tectonics and earthquakes
(seismology)
Astronomy


Astronomy is the study of space and
its celestial bodies
This involves study of the structure,
movement, and possible origins of
the universe
Engineering
Engineering is the science or art of
applying scientific knowledge to
practical problems
 (Using science knowledge to create
things useful to or desired by society)

Learning Check

READY YOUR REMOTE
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The word “science” comes from a word
that means
1. experiment
2. truth
3. life
4. to know
5. to search
Which type of science is the study of the
earth?
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1.
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2.
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3.
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4.
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5.
Biology
Geology
Physics
Chemistry
Astronomy
Which type of science involves the study of
energy such as light and heat?
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1. Biology
0%
2. Geology
0%
3. Physics
0%
4. Chemistry
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5. Astronomy
Life Science


Life science, also known as biology,
is the study of living things
It examines structures of different
organisms and how they function
Biology
 Major
branches of biology
 Zoology – animal life
 Botany – plant life
 Genetics – inherited traits
 Ecology – organisms & their
environments
Zoology

Zoology is the study of animals
Ornithology – birds
 Ichthyology – fish
 Herpetology – reptiles
 Mammalogy – mammals
 Paleontology – prehistoric life

Botany

Botany is the study of plants
Agriculture – farming
 Horticulture – flowers, fruits, &

vegetables

Forestry – forests
Genetics


Genetics is the study of heredity and
how genes are inherited
Its study may include the breeding of
specific plants and animals
Ecology


Ecology literally means “study of the
house,” and examines relationships
between organisms and their
environments
Involves study of food chains; the
effects of pollution; and the water,
oxygen, and nitrogen cycles
Medicine

Medicine is the science of
diagnosing, treating, or preventing
disease and other damage to the
body or mind
Learning Check

READY YOUR REMOTE
The study of life is called
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1.
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3.
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4.
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5.
biology
geology
physics
chemistry
astronomy
The study of matter at the atomic level
is called
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1.
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2.
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3.
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4.
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5.
biology
geology
physics
chemistry
astronomy
The study of plants is called
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1.
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2.
0%
3.
0%
4.
0%
5.
biology
geology
physics
genetics
botany
The study of prehistoric life is called
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1.
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2.
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3.
0%
4.
0%
5.
ichthyology
paleontology
physics
genetics
botany
Nice Work!!!
 Time
to move on….
JOURNAL # 2
(in back of packet)


In your opinion, what is the
greatest invention of all time?
How would your life be different
without it?
VIDEOS - Inventions
 Top
Ten Inventions?
 Patent Files – The Story of the
Microwave
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POLL – Which of the following do you feel is the
most important invention?
1. Television
2. Cell Phone
3. Automobile
4. Toilet
5. Electricity
6. Computer
7. Steel
Learning Check

READY YOUR REMOTE
What science emphasizes the study of
energy?
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1.
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2.
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3.
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4.
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5.
Geology
Biology
Physics
Chemistry
Ecology
What is the study of life called?
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3.
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4.
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5.
Geology
Biology
Physics
Chemistry
Ecology
Discovery
 Mars
News!!!
 Other News
The sun will explode in less
than 6 years.
1.
2.
True
False
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1
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2
The Great Wall of China is the only
man-made object visible from the
moon.
1.
2.
True
False
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1
0%
2
The Coriolis effect influences which
direction water spirals down drains and
toilets in different hemispheres.
1.
2.
True
False
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1
0%
2
An egg (or popcorn) can be cooked by
placing it between two activated cell
phones.
1.
2.
True
False
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1
0%
2
A light bulb manufactured in 1901 burns
bright to this day.
1.
2.
True
False
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1
0%
2
Water boiled in a microwave can
suddenly “explode”.
1.
2.
True
False
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1
0%
2
The average person swallows
8 spiders per year.
1.
2.
True
False
0%
1
0%
2
The Scientific Method
Scientific truth is not accepted
without proof
 Anything accepted as scientific fact
must be proven true through testing
 The process of proving (or
disproving) something as scientific
fact is called the scientific method

Steps in the Scientific Method
State the Problem
 Research the Problem
 Form a Hypothesis
 Test the Hypothesis
 Draw Conclusions

State the Problem
Before examining any problem, one
must clearly define exactly what
that problem is.
 Determining the problem to be
solved is the first step of the
scientific method.

Research the Problem
Researching the problem a little
further is really a logical extension of
the first step.
 Before testing that problem, it is
sensible to gather as much
information as possible about it

Form a Hypothesis

Once one has clearly defined the
problem and gathered more
information about it, then one is
educated enough about the issue to
attempt to make a guess as to its
solution. This educated guess is
known as a hypothesis.
Test the Hypothesis

After one makes a guess as to the
problem’s solution, the only way to
find out if it is correct is to test it out
and see if it works. This testing of
the hypothesis is known as an
experiment and should include the
collection and organization of data.
Draw Conclusions

After experimenting, one must
analyze the results. Based on this
analysis, one concludes either that
the hypothesis was correct or that it
was incorrect. This judgment based
on one’s observations is known as a
conclusion.
Steps in the Scientific Method

From memory, try to write the
steps of the scientific method in
order
Steps in the Scientific Method
State the Problem
 Research the Problem
 Form a Hypothesis
 Test the Hypothesis
 Draw Conclusions

Which step is most important – that really
makes it – the scientific method?
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1.
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2.
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3.
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4.
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5.
State the problem
Research the Problem
Form a Hypothesis
Test the Hypothesis
Draw Conclusions
JOURNAL # 3
(record in the back of your packet)


Describe how you would use the
scientific method to solve the following
hypothetical problem:
YOU CAN’T GET YOUR LOCKER OPEN.
Which step is most important – that really
makes it – the scientific method?
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1.
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2.
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3.
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4.
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5.
State the problem
Research the Problem
Form a Hypothesis
Test the Hypothesis
Draw Conclusions
Scientific Method Use
Assignment



Working in Groups of 2 or 3, use the
scientific method to answer the following
question:
“Does the number of times the pendulum
swing depend on the weight attached to
it, or the length of the string?”
Grab one bag of supplies per group and turn in
one report (per person) of how you used the
scientific method to answer this question.
Flash back
 Ready
your remote.
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The word “science” comes from a word
that means
1. experiment
2. truth
3. life
4. to know
5. to search
Comparing Science Terms
Hypothesis
 Theory
 Law

Hypothesis


A hypothesis is an educated guess
based on observations alone
Hypotheses are untested, but can be
proven correct or incorrect through
experimentation
Scientific Theory


A scientific theory is a proposed
description, explanation, or model of
an event or series of events
A theory is tested experimentally, but
currently lacks enough evidence to
prove undeniably often because it
involves many ideas
Scientific Law


A scientific law is a statement that
describes what will happen every
time under specific conditions.
Through experiments, a law has been
confirmed to be true and factual in
every circumstance
Hypothesis Theory or Law?



A hypothesis is an untested guess
A theory is a tested guess that is not
yet proven for certain
A law (or principle) is a tested guess
that has always been proven true in
every circumstance
Hypothesis, Theory, & Law
Identification

Identify each statement as a
hypothesis, theory, or law.
An object in motion stays in
motion
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1.
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2.
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3.
Hypothesis
Theory
Law
You think that boys are more
active than girls.
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1.
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2.
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3.
Hypothesis
Theory
Law
Energy can not be created, nor
destroyed – only change form.
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1.
0%
2.
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3.
Hypothesis
Theory
Law
Many scientists accept that the universe
was created by a large explosion called
The Big Bang.
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1.
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2.
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3.
Hypothesis
Theory
Law
Einstein’s widely accepted idea that time
goes slower when travelling at velocities
near the speed of light.
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1.
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2.
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3.
Hypothesis
Theory
Law
Newer sedimentary rock layers form on
top of older layers
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1.
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2.
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3.
Hypothesis
Theory
Law
Scientific Method Project
Deadlines & Constraints

Decide partner & topic by Sep 5

Typed project report due on Sep 12
One different type of test per
person in group
 (2 people = 2 hypotheses tested)
 (3 people = 3 hypotheses tested)

Classwork Assignments
Complete Scientific Method –
Pendulum Assignment
 Find partner(s) & discuss Scientific
Method Project ideas
 Make sure Activities up to page 18 are
completed in Scientific Method Packet

Which of the following is ALWAYS
true?
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1.
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2.
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3.
Hypothesis
Theory
Law
Experiments



An experiment is an organized
procedure for testing a hypothesis.
It involves collecting, interpreting,
and organizing data
In an experiment, all of the factors
that change must be examined.
Controls & Variables


These factors that can be changed or
controlled are called variables.
An experiment should have good
controls and prevent variables other
than those being studied from
affecting the outcome.
Independent Variable

The independent variable is also
known as the manipulated variable
because it is the variable that the
scientist intentionally changes in
order to observe its effect on other
variables.
Dependent Variable

The dependent variable is also
known as the responding variable,
because it “responds” to the change
in the independent variable – what
happens to the dependent variable
depends on what change was made
to the independent variable
Controlled Experiments
In a well controlled experiment, the
independent variable is changed to
see the effect on the dependent
variable, while all other variables
are held constant.
 The only variable that should affect
the dependent variable is the
independent variable

This is the variable that is intentionally changed
by the scientist to observe its effect:
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2.
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3.
Independent variable
Dependent variable
Controlled variable
Which variable changes as a response to a
change to another variable?
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2.
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3.
Independent variable
Dependent variable
Controlled variable
This is a variable that is held constant so that
it does not affect other variables:
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2.
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3.
Independent variable
Dependent variable
Controlled variable
Electromagnet Experiment
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
State the Problem: “How do you change
the strength of an electromagnet?”
Research: LIST 5 FACTS ABOUT
ELECTRICITY OR MAGENETISM
Hypothesis: MORE OR LESS COILS?
Experiment: DESCRIBE YOUR TESTS
(INCLUDE DATA, LIST VARIABLES)
Conclusion: WAS YOUR HYPOTHESIS
CORRECT?
Learning Check
A scientist wants to test if a pond is being
polluted. What would be an example of a good
control group?
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1. Polluted pond water
0%
2. A flock of geese in the pond
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3. Samples of pure water
Measurements:
History, Standards,
Equipment, & Conversions
Notes
Ancient
Measurement
 Ancient
man needed
measurements to do basic
tasks such as building a
house, making clothes, and
buying & selling supplies
Ancient
Measurement
first measurements were
based on body parts or other
items that were part of his
surroundings.
 The
Ancient Distance
Measurements
– outstretched pinky to
thumb
 Cubit – elbow to finger tip
 Yard – one’s girth (length
of belt around waist)
 Span
Ancient Distance
Measurements
– length of one’s foot
 Furlong – length of furrow
(trench made by plow) of
oxen teams on farms
 Mile – 1000 paces
 Foot
Ancient VOLUME
Measurements
– French for “crate”
 Gallon – Latin for “pail”
 Quart – short for quarter of a
gallon
 Bushel
Ancient VOLUME
Measurements
– English for “cup”
 Tablespoon – English for
“spoon used at dinner”
 Teaspoon – English for
“spoon used for tea”
 Cup
Ancient MASS
Measurements
– weight of a barley
corn
 Scruple – Latin for “small
stone”
 Dram – Greek for “handful”
 Grain
Ancient MASS
Measurements
– Latin for “weight”
 Ounce – Latin for “1/12th”
 Ton – old English for “cask”
(a very large container)
 Pound
STANDARDS of
Measurement
 Obviously,
since people (and
their household items) come
in different shapes and sizes
it became a problem when
different people measured
the same thing.
STANDARDS of
Measurement
 Measurement
standards were
then developed
 A standard measurement is a
measurement that is the same
amount for everyone
Learning Check
The ancient Roman measurement of
1000 paces was known as the
0%
1.
0%
2.
0%
3.
0%
4.
Foot
Furlong
Cubit
Mile
Learning Check
Ancient measurements were
based mostly on what?
0%
1.
0%
2.
0%
3.
Body parts or household items
The metric system
Scientific testing
STANDARDS of
Measurement
 Measurement
standards were
then developed
 A standard measurement is a
measurement that is the same
amount for everyone
English Standard
Units of LENGTH




Inch (in)
Foot (ft)
Yard (yd)
Mile (mi)
12 in = 1 ft

3 ft = 1 yd
 5280 ft = 1 mi

English Standard
Units of VOLUME
Teaspoon (tsp)
 Tablespoon (Tsp)
 Cup (c)
 Pint (pt)
 Quart (qt)
 Gallon (gal)
 Fluid Ounce (fl oz)

3 tsp = 1 Tsp
 16 Tsp = 1 c
 2 c
= 1 pt
 2 pt = 1 qt
 4 qt = 1 gal
 16 fl oz = 1 pt

English Standard
Units of MASS
 Ounce
(oz)
 Pound (lb, #)
 Ton
(tn)
 16
oz = 1 lb
 2000 lb = 1 tn
Learning Check
English standards of measurement are
based on what?
0%
1.
0%
2.
0%
3.
0%
4.
Multiples of ten
Scientific testing
Ancient measurements
Astronomical signs
The Metric System
The metric system was developed by
French scientists to simplify
measurement
 Each kind of measure – distance,
volume, & mass – has one basic unit
of measure
 Prefixes that are multiple of 10 are
used to form other units

Metric Base Units
 Distance
 Volume
 Mass
meter
liter
gram
(m)
(L)
(g)
Metric Prefixes
1000
kilo 100
hecto 10
deca 1 meter, liter, gram
 0.1
deci 0.01
centi 0.001
milli
k
 h
 da
 m, L, g
 d
 c
 m

Learning Check
Metric measurements are based on
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1.
0%
2.
0%
3.
0%
4.
Ancient measurement
English measurement
Household items
Multiples of ten
Measuring Length
with English
Standard Units
 Use
a ruler, tape measure, or
yard stick
 Measure in feet with remainder in
inches and fractions of inches
Measuring Length
with METRIC
Standard Units
 Use
a ruler, tape measure, or
meter stick
 Measure in meters or centimeters
(use one unit or the other)
Measuring Volume
with English
Standard Units
 Use
a measuring cup or spoon or
a graduated cylinder
 Measure in various units
(depending on size)
Measuring Volume
with METRIC
Standard Units
 Use
a measuring cup or spoon or
a graduated cylinder
 Most common measurements can
be expressed in milliliters
Measuring MASS
with English
Standard Units
 Use
a triple-beam balance or twopan balance
 Most measurements are in
pounds with ounces as remainder
Measuring MASS
with METRIC
Standard Units
 Use
a triple-beam balance or twopan balance
 Most measurements are in
kilograms
 Smaller masses are measured in
grams or milligrams
Learning Check
What piece of lab equipment is used to
measure METRIC LENGTH?
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1.
0%
2.
0%
3.
0%
4.
Yard stick
Balance
Meter stick
Graduated cylinder
What piece of lab equipment is used to
measure ENGLISH MASS?
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1.
0%
2.
0%
3.
0%
4.
Yard stick
Balance
Meter stick
Graduated cylinder
Which metric standard unit is
used to measure mass?
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1.
0%
2.
0%
3.
0%
4.
Pound
Gram
Liter
Gallon
Learning Check
English standards of measurement are
based on what?
0%
1.
0%
2.
0%
3.
0%
4.
Multiples of ten
Scientific testing
Ancient measurements
Astronomical signs
Metric measurements are based on
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1.
0%
2.
0%
3.
0%
4.
Ancient measurement
English measurement
Household items
Multiples of ten
Which metric standard unit is
used to measure volume?
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1.
0%
2.
0%
3.
0%
4.
Pound
Gram
Liter
Gallon