TCAP review – chapter one

What is scienceScience is the knowledge gained by

observing the natural world and asking questions to help gather knowledge.

Who are scientists?

Scientific MethodThe ways in which scientists answer

questions and solve problems .

Steps to the scientific methodAsk a questionMake observationsMake a hypothesisDesign an experimentTest the hypothesisAnalyze the results (data)Draw conclusions.Communicate the results.

Ask a question.Why is the sky blue?Can cancer be cured ?Why does this plant grow better in a certain

type of soil?Do these bones belong to an unknown

species of dinosaurs?What makes these chocolate chip cookies so

good?Why do ocean currents follow a certain

pattern?

Make observations.The sky is only blue during the day.Some cancers respond better to treatment

than others.This soil has had fertilizer added to it.These bones are bigger than any ever found

in this area.Brown sugar and regular sugar are in this

recipe for chocolate chip cookies.Ocean currents move from cold areas to

warm areas.

Make a hypothesisThe sky is blue because light waves scatter.Breast cancer responds well to treatment

because of early detection methods.Fertilizer adds nutrients to the soil.These bones are unlike those found

previously in this area of the world.More sugar makes cookies taste better.Ocean currents move from areas of high

temperatures to low temperatures.

Design an experimentThree parts every experiment must have:Dependent variable: A dependent variable is the

variable being tested in a scientific experiment.Independent variable: An independent variable is

the variable that is changed in a scientific experiment.

Control group: A control group in a scientific experiment is a group separated from the rest of the experiment where the independent variable being tested cannot influence the results.

Example of independent and dependent variable A scientist is testing the effect of light and

dark on the behavior of moths by turning a light on and off. The independent variable is the amount of light and the moth's reaction is the dependent variable.

A change in the independent variable (amount of light) directly causes a change in the dependent variable (moth behavior).

Test the hypothesis

Analyze the results (data)

Draw conclusionsA scientist would draw a conclusion or decide

on a resulting general statement after observing, analyzing, and studying many aspects of a situation.

Communicate results

Scientific ModelsPhysical models:

Scientific modelsMathematical models

Scientific modelsConceptual models

What is technology?Technology is the products and processes

that are designed to serve our needs.

What is engineering?Engineering is the process of creating

technology.

Engineering Design ProcessAsk: identifying and researching a needImagine: developing possible solutionsPlan: make a prototypeCreate: testing and evaluatingImprove: modifying and retesting the solution

Engineering design process

AskWhat is the need for this product?Instead of asking "what do we want to design?" we ask

"why do we want to design that?" and "what problem and or need will our design ultimately be solving?"

Next, we want to identify our target population, which is the group of people who will benefit from our project. Is the target population ultimately one individual, a group of individuals, a specific community, or a larger, identifiable population? Is the target population from a specific location (country, region, town), demographic (age or gender), or other identifying characteristics (health condition or employment)? How is our target population connected?

Example: We need to make water proof clothing so that explores can work more effectively in areas containing water and ice.

ImagineWhat is a possible solution?Brainstorm ideas.Conduct research.

PlanMake a prototype. A prototype is a test

model of the product.

CreateTesting and evaluating. Is the cost worth the

effort? (Cost benefit analysis)

ImproveModifying and retesting the solution.

Intended benefitsAn intended benefit is the positive purpose

for which a technology is designed or used.Example: Automobile = increased mobility.

Untended consequencesUntended consequences are uses or results

that engineers do not purposely include in the design of the product.

BioengineeringBioengineering is the application to living

things such as humans and plants.There are two types of bioengineered

products:Assistive are products that help living

organisms but do not change them permanently.

Adaptive are products that result in changes to living things.

Assistive bioengineered products

Adaptive bioengineered products

Tools of scienceTools can be for seeing.

Tools can be used for measuring.

Tools can be used for analyzing.