Introduction to Introduction to ScienceScience

Introduction to ScienceIntroduction to Science

PA StandardsPA Standards 3.1.12.A Unifying 3.1.12.A Unifying

ThemesThemes 3.1.12.B Unifying 3.1.12.B Unifying

ThemesThemes 3.1.12.C Unifying 3.1.12.C Unifying

ThemesThemes 3.1.12.D Unifying 3.1.12.D Unifying

ThemesThemes

Apply concepts of systems, Apply concepts of systems, feedback and control to feedback and control to solve complex solve complex technological problems.technological problems.

Apply concepts of models Apply concepts of models as a method to predict and as a method to predict and understand science and understand science and technology.technology.

Assess and apply patterns Assess and apply patterns in science and technology.in science and technology.

Analyze scale as a way of Analyze scale as a way of relating concepts and relating concepts and ideas to one another by ideas to one another by some measure.some measure.

Section 2 Objectives:Section 2 Objectives:The Way Science WorksThe Way Science Works

Understand Understand how to use critical how to use critical thinking skills to solve problems.thinking skills to solve problems.

Describe Describe the steps of the scientific the steps of the scientific method.method.

UnderstandUnderstand how to how to use critical thinking use critical thinking

skills to solve skills to solve problems.problems.

Which size of popcorn is the better deal?

$4.50(160 oz)

$2.00(80 oz)

Science SkillsScience Skills

Critical thinking Critical thinking is the ability and is the ability and willingness to assess claims critically willingness to assess claims critically and to make judgments on the basis and to make judgments on the basis of objective and supported reasons. of objective and supported reasons. Scientists approach a problem by Scientists approach a problem by

thinking logically. thinking logically.

DemonstrationDemonstration

View the four beakers. View the four beakers. How can we determine what is How can we determine what is

inside of the beakers?inside of the beakers? Scientific MethodScientific Method

DescribeDescribe the steps the steps of the scientific of the scientific

method.method.

Scientific MethodScientific Method

Scientific methodScientific method a series of steps a series of steps followed to solve problems including followed to solve problems including collecting data, formulating a collecting data, formulating a hypothesis, testing the hypothesis, hypothesis, testing the hypothesis, and stating conclusionsand stating conclusions

Scientific MethodScientific Method ObserveObserve

Observe anything in nature.Observe anything in nature.

Formulate a QuestionFormulate a Question What do you want to know?What do you want to know?

Research and Collect DataResearch and Collect Data What is already known about your question?What is already known about your question?

Form a HypothesisForm a Hypothesis Propose an answer to your question based on Propose an answer to your question based on

observations, research, and data.observations, research, and data.

Scientific MethodScientific Method Testing hypothesesTesting hypotheses

HypothesisHypothesis a possible explanation or answer a possible explanation or answer that can be testedthat can be tested

• Scientists test a hypothesis by doing a controlled Scientists test a hypothesis by doing a controlled experiment.experiment.

• In a controlled experiment, all the factors that In a controlled experiment, all the factors that could affect the experiment are kept constant could affect the experiment are kept constant except for one change.except for one change.

VariableVariable a factor that changes in an experiment a factor that changes in an experiment in order to test a hypothesisin order to test a hypothesis

DependentDependent IndependentIndependent

Scientific MethodScientific Method

ObserveObserve• There are many tools used by scientists There are many tools used by scientists

for making observations, includingfor making observations, including• microscopesmicroscopes• telescopestelescopes• spectroscopesspectroscopes• particle acceleratorsparticle accelerators• computerscomputers

Draw ConclusionsDraw Conclusions Did the results support or refute your Did the results support or refute your

hypothesis?hypothesis?

Scientific MethodScientific Method Conducting experimentsConducting experiments

• No experiment is a failure – Supported No experiment is a failure – Supported or Refutedor Refuted

• The results of every experiment can be The results of every experiment can be used to revise the hypothesis or plan used to revise the hypothesis or plan tests of a different variable.tests of a different variable.

ActivityActivity

Apply the Apply the scientific methodscientific method to to completing the following activity:completing the following activity: You are provided with the following You are provided with the following

materials:materials: 1 piece of paper1 piece of paper 12 inches of tape12 inches of tape

Goal:Goal: Hold as much weight (text books) as possible.Hold as much weight (text books) as possible.

Limitations:Limitations: Books must be at a minimum of 1 inch above the Books must be at a minimum of 1 inch above the

surface.surface.

Thought QuestionsThought Questions

Today, scientists must search through Today, scientists must search through scientific journals before performing scientific journals before performing an experiment or making methodical an experiment or making methodical observations. Where would this step observations. Where would this step take place in a diagram of scientific take place in a diagram of scientific methods?methods?

Why do you think that it is a good idea Why do you think that it is a good idea to limit an experiment to test only one to limit an experiment to test only one variable at a time whenever possible?variable at a time whenever possible?