What is Science?

Scientific Inquiry

Scientific Inquiry

• The diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence they gather.

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Scientific Inquiry

• The process of finding answers to problems by means of asking questions.

• The first step in getting the scientific method process started.

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The SCIENTIFIC METHOD is a problem solving method used to find answers to scientific questions.

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There are 6 steps to the scientific method:

1. State the question/problem.2. Collect information.3. Make a hypothesis.4. Perform an experiment.5. Record and study data.6. Draw a conclusion.

•Every good scientist knows that they mustREPEAT THEIR WORK in order to be sure that the results of their experiment are preciseand accurate.

•What scientific attitude must a scientist possess in order to develop questions to study?

CURIOUSITY

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Hypothesis

• A possible explanation for a set of observations or answer to a scientific question.

• An EDUCATED guess.

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A hypothesis must be testable. What does this mean?

Researchers must be able to carry out investigationsand gather evidence that will either support ordisprove the hypothesis.

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Independent/Manipulated Variable

• The one variable that is purposely changed to test the hypothesis.

• Researcher is in control of this variable.

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Independent variable is on the x-axis of a graph.

What was the independent variable in the rose lab?

The type of water in which the rose was placed. (sugar, neutral, or salt)

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Dependent/Responding Variable

• The factor that may change in response to the manipulated variable.

• Cannot be controlled by the researcher.

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Dependent Variable is found on the y-axis.

What is the dependent variable in the rose lab?

The condition of the roses!

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Controlled Experiment

• An experiment in which only one variable is manipulated at a time.

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Was the rose lab a controlled experiment?

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YES!!!!

Operational Definitions

• A statement that describes how to measure a particular variable or define a particular term.

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Data

• Facts, figures, and other evidence gathered through observations.

• Can be displayed in charts, tables, and graphs.

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Re-write the class data collected about favorite candy bars.

Snickers

Milky Way

3 Musketeers

Hershey’s

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup

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Communicating

• The sharing of ideas and experimental findings with others through writing and speaking.

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What are 3 ways scientists can communicate with one

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Scientific journalsand articles

Scientific meetings

Internet

Scientific Theory

• A well-tested explanation for a wide range of observations.

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Modern Atomic Theory

Big Bang Theory

Plate Tectonic Theory

Scientific Law

• A statement that describes what scientists expect to happen every time under a particular set of conditions.

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Newtons’ Laws of Motion

Gravity

How do scientific theories and scientific laws differ?

Unlike a theory, a scientific law describes an observed pattern in nature without attempting to explain it!

See example of gravity on next slide…

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Are there any questions?

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