Nature of Science
Lesson 1: Understanding Science
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
1) What is scientific inquiry?
2) What are the results of scientific
investigations?
3) How can a scientist prevent bias in a scientific
investigation?
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Lesson 1: Understanding Science
What is Science?
Science is the investigation and exploration of
natural events and of the new information that
results from those investigations.
Lesson 1: Understanding Science
Scientific Inquiry
 When scientists conduct scientific
investigations, they use scientific inquiry.
 Scientific Inquiry- a process that uses a variety
of skills and tools to answer questions.
 Scientists begin scientific inquiry with making
observations and inferences.
 Empirical Evidence- the cumulative body of
observations of a natural phenomenon on
which scientific explanations are based.
Lesson 1: Understanding Science
Scientific Inquiry
1) Ask Questions- What are you trying to find out?
 First, you make an observation.
Observation- using one or more of your senses
to gather information and take note of what
occurs.
 Observations lead to questions.
 After you form a question… you gather
information about that question (in your mind?
Research?)
 Then, you make an inference.
Inference- a logical explanation of an
observation that is drawn from prior knowledge or
experience.
Lesson 1: Understanding Science
Scientific Inquiry
Observation vs. Inference
Observation
 The act of using one or more
of your senses to gather
information and taking note
of what occurs.
Inference
 A logical explanation of an
observation that is drawn
from prior knowledge or
experience
 Qualitative: Things you
use your 5 senses to
observe. What you see,
feel, smell, taste, hear. Not
expressed as a number and
open to interpretation.
 Quantitative:
Measureable observations.
Length, width, height, mass
,speed,etc.(Expressed as a
number)
 Example: Students who
study for tests earn better
scores!
Lesson 1: Understanding Science
POP QUIZ
What is an example of a quantitative
observation?
a) The plant has white flowers.
b) The white flowers smell good.
c) The plant is 15cm tall.
d) The plant has tiny leaves.
Lesson 1: Understanding Science
POP QUIZ
What is an example of a qualitative observation?
a) The plant has 16 white flowers.
b) The white flowers smell good.
c) The plant is 15cm tall.
d) The plant has 1.5 inch long leaves.
Lesson 1: Understanding Science
Scientific Inquiry
Now that you have a question….
2. Hypothesize!
Hypothesis- a possible explanation for an
observation that can be tested by scientific
investigations.
 Based on research and previous knowledge
 This is often used to make a prediction
Prediction- a statement of what will happen next
in a sequence of events.
 If ___________, then ___________.
Lesson 1: Understanding Science
Scientific Inquiry
What do we do with our hypothesis and our
prediction?
3. TEST IT!
Scientists test a hypothesis by doing one or more
of these steps:
1) Design a Controlled Experiment
2) Make a Model
3) Gather and Evaluate Evidence or Research
4) Collect Data/Record Observations
Lesson 1: Understanding Science
Scientific Inquiry
Designing a Controlled Experiment
Identify factors that may affect the
outcome of your experiment
Any factor that has more than one
value is called a variable.
Four types of variables:
1. Independent- what you are testing. Will
change.
2. Dependent- what you are measuring.
Should be charted or graphed.
3. Constant- what stays the same.
4. Control- used for comparison.
Lesson 1: Understanding Science
Scientific Inquiry
Procedures for Experiments
STEP BY STEP instructions.
Detailed so someone else could follow
them and do exactly what you did
(Replication!)
Repeat several times for valid results
(Repetition!)
Lesson 1: Understanding Science
Scientific Inquiry
How to Record Data
Very carefully!!
Use charts or tables to organize data.
Record measurements and
observations, and anything else you
Trial
Height after 5
want to remember
Number
Days (cm)
about what happened. 1
30
2
31
3
30
4
30.5
5
31
AVE
30.5
Table 1: Plant Growth with TurboGro by Trial
Lesson 1: Understanding Science
Scientific Inquiry
4. Analyze the Results
What are your results? What does the
data show?
Create charts, tables, and graphs to
represent all of your data.
Perform any calculations that will help
you determine what the results mean.
(i.e. averages, percentages, totals)
What are the possible sources of error?
(i.e. inaccurate measurements,
contamination, etc.)
Lesson 1: Understanding Science
Scientific Inquiry
5. Draw Conclusions
Based on the relationships between
your data (from graphs, tables, statistics,
etc.)
A summary of the information gained
from testing your hypothesis.
1. What is the answer to your question?
2. Was your hypothesis supported?
3. What would you do differently next
time?
4. What further testing could you do?
Lesson 1: Understanding Science
Scientific Inquiry
Your Results May Not Be Valid If...
They are based on opinions, not data.
Your conclusions do not logically follow
the evidence.
Your sample size is too small.
Your sample is biased.
Lesson 1: Understanding Science
Scientific Inquiry
If Your Hypothesis is Not
Supported…
Recheck all of your equipment and try
again.
Repeat several times…
If It STILL isn’t supported…
Start questioning again…
Revise your hypothesis and test again!
Lesson 1: Understanding Science
Results of Scientific Inquiry
New technology- the practical use of
scientific knowledge, especially for
industrial or commercial use.
New materials, such as bone bioceramic
that mimics bone’s structure and allows
a type of cell to grow into new bone.
New explanations to who, what, where,
when, how questions.
Lesson 1: Understanding Science
Scientific Inquiry
Questions to Answer (pg. 7-11)
1. Why should scientists share their findings?
2. What is a scientific theory? Give an
example of a scientific theory.
3. How are scientific theories supported?
4. What is a scientific law? Give an example
of a scientific law.
5. How are laws different from theories?
6. What happens to theories and laws if new
evidence is found?
7. What do critical thinkers do (4 things)?
Reflection/Homework
Theory and Law
Lesson 1: Understanding Science
Scientific Theories Vs. Scientific Laws
THEORY
• Based on repeated
observations and
scientific investigations
• If new information does
not support a theory, it
will be modified or
rejected
• Attempts to explain why
something happens
• Usually more complex
than a law and might
contain many wellsupported hypotheses
LAW
• Observations of similar
events that have been
observed repeatedly
• If many observations do
not follow the law, it is
rejected
• States that something
will happen
• Usually contains one
well-supported
hypothesis that states
that something will
happen
Lesson 1: Understanding Science
Examples of Theories
Theory of Plate Tectonics
Evidence – Sea Floor Spreading,
distribution of earthquakes and
volcanoes, Fossils
Theory of Evolution-
All life on Earth shares a
common ancestor. There is
“decent with modification.”
Evidence – Fossil Record,
Genetic Studies, Radiometric
Dating
Lesson 1: Understanding Science
Examples of Laws
Newton’s
Laws of
Motion
Law of Conservation
of Energy
Law of
Conservation of
Mass
Universal
Law
of Gravity
2H2 + O2  2H2O
Lesson 1: Understanding Science
Eliminating Bias
Bias is intentional or unintentional
prejudice toward a specific outcome
Sources of bias can be equipment
choices, hypothesis formation, and prior
knowledge.
To prevent bias:
1. Select a large, random sample
2. Use a blind study
3. Repeat your studies
Lesson 1: Understanding Science
Skepticism and Critical Thinking
Critical thinking- is comparing what you
already know with the information you
are given in order to decide whether
you agree with it.
It is important to consider whether
scientific information is truthful and
accurate before you decide to believe
it.
You should also question statements
made by people that are not experts in
what they are making claims about, and
claims based on vague statements.