NATURE OF SCIENCELesson 1

Understanding Science

• What is scientific inquiry?

• What are the results of scientific investigations?

• How can a scientist prevent bias in a scientific investigation?

• How is science limited?

What is Science?

Science comes from the Latin word scientia, which means

“knowledge.”

What is Science?

Science is the investigation and exploration of natural events and of the new information that results from those investigations.

(the total collection of knowledge gained through man’s observations of the physical world)

Branches of Science

Biology, or life science, is the study of all living things.

biologyfrom Greek bios, means “life”; and logia, means “study of”

Life Science (Biology)

the study of living things

Branches of Science (cont.)

The study of Earth, including landforms, rocks, soil, and forces that shape Earth’s surface, is Earth science.

The study of chemistry and physics is physical science.

Scientists use skills such as observing, inferring, predicting, classifying, and making models to learn more about the world.Successful scientists possess certain attitudes, or habits of mind (Characteristics).

Characteristics of SuccessfulScientists

CuriosityCautionCritical thinking

CuriosityScientists love to ask questions esp. why questions; If a person can find out what causes something in nature, he will have a good chance at making useful predictions – a key goal in the work of science.

Caution

He knows not everything he reads or hears is true.

Caution

He knows scientific thinking is based on observation (information a person gains by using one or more of his five senses).

Caution

He knows science is limited.

Limitations of Science

1. Science deals only with observables.

2. Science cannot prove universal negatives.

3. Science cannot make value judgments.

4. Science cannot provide final answers.

universal negative

a statement that excludes everything

(a blanket statement of denial)

There are no aliens.

value judgment

a determination of the worth of something (deciding whether something is right or wrong,

good or bad, valuable or worthless)

Oh, how cute!

final answer

an answer that is absolutely true (and therefore never needs to be rejected or revised)

What kind of answer can scientists give?

A verified answer is chosen at the end of an experiment because it is supported by repeated experiments or surveys. It is an answer supported by repeated experiments or surveys

A verified answer

Truth?

Science is NOT about truth; it’s about finding predictions that work.

Only God’s Word is

absolute truth.

Scientific Inquiry

As scientists study the natural world, they usually use certain skills, or methods.

Scientific Inquiry (cont.)

A scientist uses a sequence of skills and methods in an investigation.

Scientific Inquiry (cont.)

Observations often are the beginning of the process of science.

An observation is using one or more of your senses to gather information and take note of what occurs.

Observations

Good scientific observations must be measurable and

repeatable.

Observations can be either quantitative (deal with a number, or amount) or qualitative (deal with descriptions).

Scientific Inquiry (cont.)

A possible explanation about an observation that can be tested by scientific investigations is a hypothesis.

A prediction is a statement of what will happen next in a sequence of events.

Scientific Inquiry (cont.)

When you test a hypothesis, you often are testing your predictions.

If your prediction is not confirmed, your hypothesis might need revision.

Scientific Inquiry (cont.)

The next step in a scientific investigation is to organize and analyze your data.

You must determine whether inferences can be made or conclusions drawn from the data.

An inference is a logical explanation of an observation that is drawn from prior knowledge or experience. (logical conclusion based on observation) (Inferences are not always correct.)

Scientific Inquiry (cont.)

If your hypothesis is supported by the data, you can repeat the experiment to confirm the results.

If your hypothesis is not supported, you may need to modify it.

Scientific Inquiry (cont.)

An important step in scientific inquiry is communicating results.

Results of Scientific Inquiry In science, you perform scientific inquiry to

find answers to questions. The practical use of scientific knowledge,

especially for industrial or commercial use is technology.

Many times, scientific investigations answer the questions: who, what, when, where, or how.

Results of Scientific Inquiry (cont.)

A scientific theory is an explanation of observations or events based on knowledge gained from many observations and investigations.

A scientific law describes a pattern or an event in nature that is always true.

Scientific Theory and Scientific Laws

Results of Scientific Inquiry (cont.)

Scientific Theory and Scientific Laws (cont.)

Critical thinking is comparing what you already know with the information you are given in order to decide whether you agree with it.

To prevent bias in an investigation, sampling, repetition, and blind studies can be helpful.

Critical thinkingThe Bible encourages Christians to think critically. (“My dear friends don't believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you.” 1 John 4:1 MSG) Only God’s Word is absolute truth. God is the Creator of all life. If you remove God from any part of your life, then that part of your life will become meaningless. Only God is able to give meaning to things He has made.

Scientific Theory and Scientific Laws (cont.)

Our Main Focus

Our main focus of learning Life Science should be to love God through the study of His creation.