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What is Science
Science is?.....
u A way of knowingu Derived from a Latin word meaning, “to know”
u The pursuit of understanding the world around us
u Evolvingu A process
u Organized way of gathering and analyzing evidence about the natural world
Goals of Science
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Goals of Science
u To understand the natural worldu By understanding the natural world, we are able to…
u Explain natural events
u Understand patternsu Make predictions
Why is Science Important?
Why is this Important?
u Science provides us with a means to solve important issuesu Determine fact from fiction by analyzing and interpreting data
u If not solve, we are able to better understand and work towards a solution
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History of Science
u Science dates back thousands of yearsu Greek philosophers were early contributors to modern science
u As were scientists from Islamic and Asian nations.
u Accepted scientific thought has evolved over time
Father of Science
u Thales u cr. 600 BCE
u Greek philosopher who theorized that natural events like thunder and lightning have natural causesu Previous understandings determined those were the result of
supernatural forces, or acts of god.
Aristotle
u 384-322 BCEu Believed answers could be found with logical thinking
u Relies on previous knowledge to prove, or understand, current issueu This is known deductive reasoning
u Lets take a closer look at deductive reasoning
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Deductive Reasoning
u Premise 1: All men are mortalu Premise 2: Kanye is a man
u Therefore:
u Conclusion: Kanye is mortal
Deductive Reasoning
u Courtesy of Descartes (the father of chemistry)
u Premise: What thinks must exist
u Premise: I am thinking
u Therefore
u Conclusion: I exist
Dark Ages
u Not much science, or learning, happened in the Dark Agesu This is unique to Europe; Persian and Asian scientists made huge strides
u No innovations
u No new ways of thinkingu Times were tough…for about a thousand years
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Scientific Revolution
u This brought us out of the doldrums of the Dark Agesu In 1534 Copernicus released a publication, revolutionibus orbium
coelestium (On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres) (argued sun, not earth, is the center of universe)
u Represents the beginning of the scientific revolution Lasted from the 16th to mid 18th century
u Triggered the beginning of the Enlightenment Era
u Produced theories we use today
Ideas from the Scientific Revolution
u Heliocentric: Sun is the center of Universeu Human anatomy based on dissecting human corpses
u No longer based on animals
u Modernized professions: Dentistry, physiology, opticsu New tools: Mechanical calculator, refracting and reflecting
telescopes
u Led to the Enlightenmentu Increased pursuit and appreciation of knowledge
u Foundation for the Scientific Method
Francis Bacon
u 1561-1626u Wrote Novum Organum (1620)
u Argued truth needs evidence from the real world.
u This was inductive reasoning, contrary to Aristotle’s deductive reasoning
u Created a guideline by which evidence could be attainedu ”Baconian method” early remnants of the Scientific Method
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Real quick, A comparisonInductive vs. Deductiveu Inductive = bottom-up thought process.
u Approach a question with an open mind and observe the answer
u Deductive = top-down thought process.u Intelligence will lead you to the answer
u This is an oversimplified explanation, but it works.
Inductive or Deductive?
u All bald men are grandfathers. Harold is bald. Harold is a grandfather.
u Harold is bald. Harold is a grandfather, therefore, all grandfathers are bald.
u Difference?
John Locke
u 1632-1704u Knowledge arises from experience
u Contrary to the belief that knowledge is innateu Also played a key role in shaping the U.S. Constitution
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Scientific Method
u This is not concreteu A general style of investigation
u One that is widely accepted and utilized by scientists across the board
u We will use the scientific method that follows:u Observing and asking questions
u Form a hypothesis
u Design an experiment
u Experiments may take many forms, we’ll cover more of that next week
u Collect and analyze data
u Draw conclusions
Step 1: Make an Observation
u The skill of using our senses, scientific instruments or recorded information to increase knowledge of the outside world.
u Requires an open, inquisitive mind
u Ask a question about observation
Hypothesis
u Once the question has been asked, research goes in to finding the answer, from this research we make an inferenceu Inference: an idea based on what is already known
u Inferences, in turn lead to a hypothesisu Hypothesis: a scientific explanation for a set of observations that can be
tested
u *Important* A hypothesis must be testable
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Experiment
u Design an experiment that will answer the initial questionu Can be as simple as observing and taking notes or as complex as
building a new ecosystem
Data Collection and Analysis
u Data is the information gathered from observationsu Two forms of data:
u Quantitative: numbers found by counting or measuring (includes the number and a unit of measurement)
u Qualitative: describes things that cannot be counted
u Analysis and reporting of data is crucial to further exploration of the subject
Conclusion
u This is where the findings from the experiment are reportedu This compares your results against your hypothesis
u Rarely is the hypothesis proven rightu More likely to lead to different questions, different realizations and
further experiments
u This is also where you report any issues you had with the lab, what went wrong, which directions were confusing, what needs to be tweaked to get more accurate results.
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Current issues being investigated
u Climate Scienceu Cancer, ALS, Alzheimer's/Dimentia, Parkinson's, Diabetes, and any
other illness you can think of.
u Conservation of Ecosystemsu Pollution
Plastic in the Ocean
u How do we corral what’s there?u How do we limit future pollution?
u What are the effects of plastic on the sea life, water, on humans?