What is Science?
A process based on inquiry that seeks to
develop explanations
In other words…
– Trying to figure out why are things what they are,
and why do they do what they do?
How is science different from other classes?
Science is knowledge based on the study of
nature and the physical setting (“things” that
exist)
Science tries to explain natural phenomenon
(lightning, volcanoes, extinction)
Science is both a creative process and an
unbiased process.
– Unbiased: no pre-conceived notions, fair (keep an
open mind)
Science …
Uses scientific theory
Expands scientific knowledge
Challenge accepted theories
Questions results
Tests claims
Undergoes peer review
Uses scientific theory
What does this statement mean?
–“I have a theory”
•… I have a guess (hopefully, based on good information)
•An example might be that “if you hit an egg with a bat then the egg
will break”
–You would develop this theory based on knowledge of the objects
–Notice the statement is an “If this ”, “then that” statement
Expands scientific knowledge
•Scientific fields are guided by research (genetics)
•Scientists are always looking for new knowledge and
information about the natural world
•(Hubble Space Telescope HST)
•Be careful of pseudoscience!…
•Generally no new research is done to explain natural
happenings (text example: Phrenology)
Challenge accepted theories
• Debate about ideas is acceptable
• Disagreements are acceptable
• When this occurs new research is often done
 An example might be to place an organism into a new kingdom once more
information is discovered about it.
What is this species?
Questions results
•If results from an experiment are not consistent with current
information do further research
•Bats were originally thought to be related to birds (because
of their wings), upon further investigation we now know them
to be more closely related to mammals (because of bone
structure,…)
Tests claims
•To know if your educated guess is correct
you must run tests
•Do not just guess what will happen
•Collect data and analyze it, to what the results are
•Form a conclusion (was your educated guess correct?)
Your findings undergo peer review
•Share your results with others
•Communicate with other doing similar work
•Have other experts in your field review your findings and
evaluate if those results are correct or not