What is
?
Science is ….
• Observing, studying, and experimenting to
find the nature of things.
• 3 main branches: physical science, biological
science, and Earth science.
• Earth Science is the study of the Earth and its
neighbors in space
Science is a PROCESS…
• Science is a way of learning about the natural
world through observations and logical
reasoning.
• Science can grow and change as new ideas are
explored.
• Scientific Inquiry is another term for the
ongoing process of discovery in science.
• Scientists use critical thinking to solve
problems
Thinking Like a Scientist
Some of the skills used by scientists include
asking questions, making observations and
inferences, developing hypotheses, and
conducting experiments.
This is called USING the SCIENTIFIC METHOD.
Scientific Methods
• General ways to help organize your thinking
about questions
• Helps you find and evaluate possible answers
• Sets of procedures that scientists use
• The steps can vary
Asking Questions…
• Are you curious about things?
• Curiosity drives scientific investigation by
leading people to think about a question or a
problem.
Scientific/ Testable Questions
• Centers on objects, organisms, and events in
the natural world
• Connects to scientific concepts rather than to
opinions, feelings, or beliefs
• Answered through scientific investigations –
experimenting or observations
• Gather evidence and using data to explain
how the natural world works
Making Observations
• Observation involves using all five senses –
sight, hearing, touch, smell, and sometimes
taste.
• Observations also include measurements.
• Facts, figures, and other evidence that we
learn through observations is called data.
Get to Know Your Peanut!
Observations Organizer
Think of properties you can
see such as size, shape, color,
lines, texture, pattern,
behavior…
I observed….
Think of the other senses of
smell, sound, touch, and
perhaps taste.
I noticed….
Connect it with something
that you already know.
It reminds me of…..
Add details and be specific.
This is so because….
Be curious and ask questions
you could investigate.
I am curious about…
It surprised me that….
OR
I wonder what would happen if…..
Qualitative & Quantitative
Observations
• Qualitative observations • Quantitative
describe
observations measure
• Describes the
• Scientists try to use
characteristics of
quantitative
something
observations because
they are more precise.
All observations take practice!
Measuring
MATTER
What is MATTER?
• Matter is anything that has MASS and
VOLUME.
• All matter takes up space.
• There are 4 states of matter:
SOLID
LIQUID
GAS PLASMA
MASS
• The amount of matter something is made of
• Anything that has matter, has mass.
• Mass is measured in GRAMS and is measured
on a triple beam balance
Reading a triple beam balance
What mass does this balance show?
What is VOLUME?
• Volume is the amount of space taken up, or
occupied, by an object.
• Objects that have volume cannot share the
same space at the same time.
• Matter takes up space.
Liquid Volume
• Liquids are measured in LITERS (L)
• We use a graduated cylinder to measure
liquids.
• The curve that is seen at the liquid’s surface is
called a meniscus.
• Measure a liquid’s volume from the bottom of
the meniscus
Reading a graduated cylinder
Solid Volume
• The volume of any solid object is expressed in
cubic units.
• Cubic means having “three dimensions”
• Cubic centimeters (cm³) is most often used.
How to measure volume of a solid
How to measure volume of a solid
with an odd shape
Compare
Liquid Volume to Solid Volume
• The volume of any liquid can be expressed in
cubic units.
1 mL is equal to 1 cm³
Precision in Measurement
• Precision, or exactness, of measurements can
vary.
• Precision depends on the instrument used
• Example: a tape measure marked every .01 m
is more precise than a tape measure marked
.1 m.
• To measure something use the most precise
instrument
• Example: measure 2.5 mL of water in a 10 mL
graduated cylinder instead of a 50 mL cylinder.
Accuracy vs. Precision
• Accuracy and precision are not the same.
• Precision depends on the instrument
• Accuracy depends on the person doing the
measuring
Making Inferences…
• Based on your observations, you can suggest
explanations for events.
• Inferences often change as new observations
are made.
• The only rule of inferring is to be logical.
Take a good look at this picture…
Questions
Are there cars parked on the sides of the road?
What color is the pickup truck driving in the
road?
Any minivans around?
What color is the sign on the post?
What is the speed limit?
Are there any pedestrians on the road?
Observation or Inference?
• Look at the picture on the next slide
• Determine whether the statements are
observations or inferences
• Now, turn to your partner and compare your
answers – discuss
• Be prepared to share what your partner has
said
1. There is a representation of a face on one side
of the coin.
2. The Latin word "Dei" means "God."
3. The coin was made by deeply religious people.
4. The date 1722 is printed on one side of the
coin.
5. The coin was made in 1722.
6. The face on the coin is a representation of the
nation's president.
Classifying
• In science, we classify or group things
according to their properties or similarities
and differences.
Identifying and Manipulating Variables
• Variables are factors, conditions, and/or
relationships that can change or be changed in
an event or system
• Variables that can affect the outcome of the
experiment are kept constant, or controlled
• Only the results of changing the given
variables are observed.
Helicopter Happening
Three Kinds of Variables
(worksheet)
• Constant Variable
– A variable that is not changed
• Manipulated Variable/ Independent Variable
- factor or condition that is intentionally changed by
the investigator
- controlled by you during the experiment
• Responding Variable/ Dependent Variable
- a factor or condition that might be affected as a
result of that change
- changes because of the manipulated variable
Predicting
• Forecast a future event based on prior
experiences
• Science is based on several assumptions or
beliefs about the natural world -- cause-andeffect relationships in the natural world
• Predictions can come from observations,
inferences, or experiments (data).
• The amount of data available and the accuracy
of the data affect the accuracy of the
prediction.
Predictions about Insects
Forming Hypotheses
• When we ask questions, sometimes they can
be tested.
• A hypothesis can be formed after identifying
the variables to be tested.
• A hypothesis is a special kind of prediction
that forecasts how one variable (manipulated)
will affect another variable (responding)
• A hypothesis expresses a logical explanation
that can be tested.
• They specify an exact focus for an experiment.
Steps for writing a good hypothesis:
• Identify variables in a given event or
relationship
• Identify a pair of variables that might be
logically related
• Identify the manipulated and responding
variables
• Write the hypothesis using the following
format:
– “If the (manipulated variable) changes, then the
(responding variable) will change.”
Relationship Between Observing,
Inferring, and Hypothesizing
• Observing leads to inferring
• Inferring in turn leads to identifying variables
and hypothesizing
• (worksheet)
Is It A Car??
Scientific Models
• Scientific modeling is a research method scientists use to replicate
real-world systems and are used to test hypotheses and predict
information.
• Modeling involves developing physical, conceptual, or computerbased representations of systems.
• Models represent real-world events or systems that are too large to
observe or too small to observe.
• Often they are not accurate because the scientists may not have all
the data. It is important that scientists test their models and be
willing to improve them as new data comes to light.
• A good model must be able to explain as many characteristics of
these observations as possible, but also be as simple as possible.
• All models have limitations — no model can possibly explain every
detail of a scientific phenomena
The Experiment
• During the experiment, you are testing the
question you asked earlier.
• You will test your variables against one
another
• During the experiment you will make
observations, make predictions, record data,
identify variables, all to answer the question.
Controlled Experiment
• An experiment that isolates the effect of one
variable on a system by holding constant all
variables but the one under observation.
• In other words, only one variable is changed
and all others are held constant to obtain
results of the experiment.
• Example: A student wants to know the affect
orange juice has on plant growth. The student
would have 2 sets of plants: 1 with oj and 1
without. All other factors that affect plant
Recording Data and Observations
• Recording data accurately allows the scientist
to prove or disprove the hypothesis
• We record data in tables, charts, and graphs.
Why do we create data tables and
graphs?
• Easy and organized way to record the results
of your experiment
• Shows the independent and dependent
variables together in one picture
Creating a Data Table
• Data tables always need a title
• Rows and Columns also need titles
Number of Fruits and Vegetables Eaten at Each Meal
Graph
Title
Column Title
Mon Tues
Row
Title
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Days of the Week
Wed
Thurs
Fri
Avg
Objects Thrown
Travel Distance (m)
Trial1
Trial 2 Trial 3
Trial 4 Avg
Baseball
17.5
18.3
21.4
18.8
19.0
Football
34.3
34.4
37.5
38.6
36.2
Basketball
9.3
8.5
7.6
8.2
8.4
Organizing your data onto a table
• Determine the number of columns and rows
you need to have
– Remember, you need an extra for headings
• Not all experiments require you to show and
average
• If units are used on data table, put them in the
title
• Use a ruler to ensure neatness
Now your turn…
• Using the info given to you, design your own
data chart for the sample experiment
• Remember to use your rulers and be neat
• Don’t forget a title and units if necessary
Rolling Marbles for a Distance
Ramp height measured in centimeters is listed below
0 cm, 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm
Distance measured in centimeters
0cm, 17 cm, 35 cm, 51 cm, 65 cm, 72 cm
Heating of Compound – XJ-007
Time in minutes
0 min, 5 min, 10 min, 15 min, 20 min
Temperature measured in degrees C
0, 12, 35, 86, 153
Graphing Your Data
• Graphs indicate trends in data
• A graph is a diagram that shows the
relationship of one variable to another.
• A graph makes interpretation and analysis of
data easier.
Types of Graphs
Bar Graph
Pie Chart
Line Graphs
Parts of a Graph
• X axis: Independent variable
– horizontal
– the first coordinate plot
• Y axis: Dependent variable
– vertical
– second coordinate plot
Creating your graph
• Always have a title
• Space between points on the x and y-axis
must be equal – chose an appropriate scale
• Use the highest and lowest data points to
determine the spacing on axis lines
• Use a ruler to draw your axis lines
• Now you try! Graph and plot the following
data points from the example experiment.
Best-Fit Line Graph
• We do not always want to connect the dots on
a line graph
• Sometimes we need to take an “average” or
“best-fit” of our data
• To make a best-fit line graph, find the best
straight line “through” the points plotted
• There should be as many points above the line
as below the line – this gives the average
Best-Fit Line Graph
Now your turn….
• Use the info given to you to graph the data
from the sample experiments
• Remember to title your graph
• Use a RULER
Results
• Results are what come from performing the
experiment.
• Results should NEVER be changed to make your
hypothesis “correct.”
• These show what happen to the responding
variable.
• Results are diagrammed, graphed, charted.
Analysis of the Results
• Because we chart, diagram, or graph the results
of an experiment, we can analyze those images.
• To analyze or read the results, we need to know
how to read a chart, a diagram, or a graph.
• Analyzing the results of an experiment, is another
way of communicating our findings.
Communicating
• Communication is a very important part of the
scientific process.
• We can communicate our ideas and findings in
many ways
• Written reports, data tables, graphs, diagrams,
and charts are all forms of communication.
• Scientists publish the results of their
experiments in scientific journals, where other
experts can review the work.
• Research that has been examined by other
scientists is said to have been peer reviewed
Conclusion!
• The conclusion is the final communication in
the scientific process.
• This is when the data is interpreted and either
your hypothesis was proved correct or not.
Science and Technology Work
Together
• Technology is the application of science for
practical uses.
• Engineers apply scientific knowledge and
methods to design products people use.
• Advances in science and technology depend
on one another
• Technology drives exploration
Engineering Design Process
Ask
Improve
Imagine
The
Goal
Experiment
Plan
Create
Build a Bridge
Scientific Law
• A scientific law describes a process in nature
that can be tested by repeated experiments.
• A law allows predictions to be made about
how a system will behave under a wide range
of conditions.
• A law does not explain how a process takes
place.
Scientific Theory
• An explanation of how a natural process
works.
• Scientific theories are always being
questioned and examined.
• A theory must explain observations clearly
and consistently
• Experiments that illustrate the theory must be
repeatable
• You must be able to predict results from the
theory
Big Bang Theory
Other Theories of the Beginning of
the Universe