What is science?
Agenda for Thursday Sept 4th
1. Nature of science/scientific method
Resources
Your User Name: kendricknovak
Your Password: password
You can log on at http://my.hrw.com
Novak’s teacher website
Questions
What is science?
Why do we do science?
How do we do science?
Nature of Science
• Science – body of knowledge based on the study
of nature
– Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Earth Science
• Process based on inquiry that seeks to develop
explanations
7 things Science does
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Relies on evidence
Expands knowledge
Challenges accepted theories
Questions results
Tests claims
Peer Review
Uses metric system
The Scientific Method
involves a series of
steps that are used
to investigate a
natural occurrence.
Problem/Question
Observation/Research
Formulate a Hypothesis
Experiment
Collect and Analyze Results
Conclusion
Communicate the Results
Steps of the
Scientific Method
1. Problem/Question: Develop a
question or problem that can be
solved through experimentation.
Steps of the
Scientific Method
2. Observation/Research: Make
observations and research your
topic of interest.
Steps of the
Scientific Method
3. Formulate a Hypothesis: Predict
a possible answer to the problem
or question.
Example: If soil temperatures rise,
then plant growth will increase.
Steps of the
Scientific Method
4. Experiment: Develop and follow
a procedure.
Include a detailed materials list.
Experimental Design
• Control group – used for comparison, baseline
– may be a “no treatment” group
– exposed to same conditions as experimental group,
except for the variable being tested
– All experiments should have a control group
• Experimental Group – group that gets tested
• 1 factor changes at a time
• Many trials
Experimental Design
• Independent (manipulated) variable – a factor
that’s intentionally varied by the experimenter
– tested factor
• Dependent (responding) variable – the factor that
may change as a result of independent variable
• depends on the outcome of the independent variable
• What you want to measure
• Constant – remains same in every test
experiment
Data
• Information gathered during an experiment
– Qualitative – observations
– Quantitative – numbers
Steps of the
Scientific Method
5. Collect and Analyze Results:
Modify the procedure if needed.
Confirm the results by retesting.
Include tables, graphs, and
photographs.
Steps of the
Scientific Method
6. Conclusion: Include a statement
that accepts or rejects the
hypothesis.
Make recommendations for further
study and possible improvements
to the procedure.
Steps of the
Scientific Method
7. Communicate the Results: Be
prepared to present the project.
Paper, presentations
Think you can name all
seven steps?
Collect
Formulate
Communicate
Observation/Research
Problem/Question
and
Experiment
Conclusion
Analyze
a Hypothesis
the Results
Results
What is qualitative data?
What is quantitative data?
Agenda for Friday Sept 5th
1. Types of graphs
2. Outside lab
What type of graph to use
•
•
•
•
•
Line graph.
Pie Chart.
Bar Graph.
Area Graph.
X-Y Plot.
Leaf Lab Directions
Part A
1. Make 10 observations of the tree/leaf/outside
Part B
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Each person acquire 1 leaf.
Measure (in cm) from base of leaf to tip of leaf.
Record you and your partners lengths in data table
Compile class data
Record class data
Make graph
Observations and inferences
• Inference - using observations, prior
knowledge/experiences, and details from
context to make connections and come up
with ideas.
• Deduction – make a conclusion from
something known or assumed
Models
• A representation of an object or event
– Technology
• Computer simulated model
• Hands on exploration
Hypotheses, Theories, Laws
• hypothesis – a suggested explanation;
• a proposal based on reason that predicts a
possible correlation between multiple
phenomena (incidents, events, observations,
etc.)
Laws
• law – notes only that something happens;
• happens consistently and across the universe
• usually simply stated
• frequently can be stated mathematically
Example:
• Newton’s 2nd Law: a = f/m
Theories
• theory – explains why something happens;
• A framework about a class or group of
phenomena
• Note – Theories are never “proven” – they are
confirmed by overwhelming data; all theories,
like all ideas in science, are subject to
correction
Four areas of Bias
• Representation of data
• Funding of Research
• Cultural Bias
• Testing
Representation of Data
• Graphical/statistical
12.5
14
12
12
11.5
10
11
8
10.5
6
10
4
9.5
2
9
0
1
2
1
2
Funding of research
• Who is funding the research?
–Bp or Exxon oil
• (Global climate change)
–Tobacco industry (risks of smoking)
–Audubon Society
• (Location of pipeline / Arctic drilling)
–Greenpeace
Cultural Bias
• Questionnaires or surveys:
–Surveys written in English given
to non-English language
speakers
Testing
• Subjects used for testing
–Animals / Humans for cosmetics or
pharmaceuticals
Scientific Method practice
Mr. Novak is working on a science project. His task is to
answer the question: "Does Plantgro (a commercial
plant product) affect the speed of plant growth".
Q: Describe how Mr. Novak would perform this
experiment. Identify the control group, and the
independent and dependent variables in your
description.
Agenda for Friday Dec 13th
1. Quiz
2. Read article
Julie soaked six different kinds of seeds in
water for 24 hours. Then she planted the
seeds in soil at a depth of 1 cm. She used
the same amount of water, light, and heat
for each kind of seed to see how each seed
would grow.
What 4 factors are being controlled?
What is the independent variable?
Agenda for Monday Dec 16th
1. Alka Seltzer lab part 1
What is the difference between a
theory and a law?
Agenda for Tuesday Dec 17th
1. Alka seltzer lab part 2
Test Friday
Period 5 Data
1
2
3
4
5
6
Ave
Groups 1/2
A lot
51.4
56.5
55.6 56.15
69.2
67
Groups 3/4
200 mL
46.8
72
52
52
40
Groups 5/6
A little
48
34.6
28.7 26.1
20
20.7
61
1
2
3
4
5
6
Groups 7/8
Hot
18.9
19.5
23.8
24.6
25.8
24.9
Groups 9/10
Room Temp
52
50
56
65
57
90
Groups 11/12
Cold
75.3
63.3
80
86.2
94.9
122.5
Ave
Period 3 Data
1
2
3
4
5
6
Ave
Groups 1/2
A lot
50.9
42.4
48
55.2
50.9
59.8
Groups 3/4
200 mL
55
54.3
49.6
49.4
49.1
48
Groups 5/6
A little
46.6
42.2
43.8
50.3
46.4
63.7
1
2
3
4
5
6
Ave
Groups 7/8
Hot
27
26
25
17.1
23.1
24.9
Groups 9/10
Room Temp
57.2
36.5
38.17
30.6
36.19
34.3
Groups 11/12
Cold
95
108
123
104
101
115
1
2
3
4
5
6
Groups 13/14
Stirred
45
38
53
47
36
33
Groups 15/16
Not stirred
43
81
100
94
81
72
Ave
What is the difference between
control and constants?
Agenda for Wednesday Dec 18th
1. Scientific method practice
2. Design Bridge
Test Friday
List the 4 areas of bias.
Agenda for Thursday Dec 19th
1. Build and Test Bridge
Test Tomorrow
**I will look at stamps***
TEST
• Scientific method
– Independent/dependent variable
– Control group/experimental
– Constants
• Areas of bias
• Observation/inferences
• Qualitative/quantitative
Engineering points
• some lessons about design:
– Build the simplest thing that could possibly work.
“simple” DOES NOT equal“stupid”.
– Go with the strengths of the material you’re given.