Unit 1: Tools of the TradeUnit 1: Tools of the Trade

I. What is Science?I. What is Science?

A. What is it to you? What is it to A. What is it to you? What is it to me? What is it to the text book?me? What is it to the text book?

II. The goal of science is to investigate II. The goal of science is to investigate and understand nature- Use those and understand nature- Use those

explanations to make useful predictionsexplanations to make useful predictions.. Science only deals with the Science only deals with the natural worldnatural world Scientists Scientists collect and organize informationcollect and organize information

in a careful, orderly way- look for patterns and in a careful, orderly way- look for patterns and connectionsconnections

Scientists Scientists propose explanationspropose explanations that can be that can be tested by tested by examining evidenceexamining evidence

-science also refers to the body of knowledge -science also refers to the body of knowledge that has been built upthat has been built up

III. Scientific ProcessesIII. Scientific Processes

A. Science Starts with an A. Science Starts with an ObservationObservation- - 1. What do you think an observation is?1. What do you think an observation is? 2. Ability to 2. Ability to gather informationgather information using 1+ of you using 1+ of you

sensessenses 3. The information you gather is called 3. The information you gather is called DATADATA 4. There are two types of observations:4. There are two types of observations:

a. a. QualitativeQualitative- Her hair is - Her hair is green green b. b. QuantitativeQuantitative- She has - She has fivefive pencils (can’t count) pencils (can’t count)

B. Then a scientist makes an B. Then a scientist makes an InferenceInference--

1. Based on observations the scientist 1. Based on observations the scientist uses uses logical interpretationslogical interpretations based on based on prior knowledge and experienceprior knowledge and experience to to make an inferencemake an inference i.e. From what they know they try to piece i.e. From what they know they try to piece

things togetherthings togetherFor instance- if you find an unknown For instance- if you find an unknown fossil fossil

with wingswith wings what would you what would you infer infer about that about that fossil?fossil?

C. Based on observations and C. Based on observations and inferences a scientist may form a inferences a scientist may form a

hypothesis-hypothesis- (Scientific Method)(Scientific Method)1. A 1. A hypothesishypothesis is a is a possible possible

explanationexplanation for a set of for a set of observations observations or or an answer to a an answer to a scientific questionscientific question..

2. Hypothesis is useful 2. Hypothesis is useful only if it can be only if it can be testedtested