Nature+of+Science

= = = Big Idea: Science is an attempt to understand the natural world in a way that can be agreed upon by all. =

http://abane.weebly.com/uploads/2/2/6/4/22648724/text_features_flap_book.pdf

** Essential Question: What are the characteristics of science? **
//Students will learn what characterizes science and scientific explanations and differentiate between science and pseudoscience.//

What is Science?


 * Science ** is the process of observing, studying, and attempting to explain our world. The word science comes from the Latin word // **scire** // which means // to know // . So science means having knowledge.

Science involves making observations in order to solve problems. We are all scientists. We observe and question the things around us. As scientists, we attempt to find answers to questions. Scientists seek facts, and from those facts they propose explanations or theories to explain events they observe in the world. In science, new observations often suggest more new science problems to investigate. Since there are many different types of problems, scientists usually specialized in one area of study. Each branch of science is a different area of study but all branches of science are related. The three main branches of science are: Astronomy Oceanography ||= Zoology Botany Ecology Microbiology ||= Physics Chemistry || In sixth grade, we will explore a little bit of each area of study. Play a game here to learn more about some different fields of science.
 * bb **Earth and Space Science** dd ||=  bbbbbbb **Life Science** bbbbbbb  ||= **Physical Science** ||
 * = Geology

What are the character traits of a scientist?

Two of the most common characteristics of scientists are __curiosity__ and __patience__. Scientists are __curious__ about the world around them, and they yearn to learn what makes everything work. Their inquisitiveness keeps them going ahead to the next project and the next experiment.

They also must have patience to undergo the years of work that might be required to make a discovery in a scientific field. A sense of __optimism__ keeps a scientist performing experiment after experiment, even if most of them fail. Scientists know that failed experiments provide answers as often as successful ones do. This requires a sense of __self confidence__ as they continue to search for answers. Scientists need __patience__ to repeat experiments multiple times to verify results.

Scientists need to be __detail oriented__, noticing even tiny observations and remembering and recording them. Their minds tend to be analytical, and they can categorize data in an efficient way so it can be recalled later. They usually have facts and hypotheses from several fields and experiments tucked into their memories so that they can be put together in different combinations to answer questions or provide direction for research.

Being __open-minded__ is crucial for successful people in science careers. A good scientist will accept whatever outcome his or her work has and not try to force the results into a preformed opinion. A scientist also has __good ethics__ and will not give false results or shade an experiment to fulfill the expected outcome. He or she will accept the solutions of others, even when they conflict with his or her own.

Most people think of science as an uncreative field, but in reality, scientists must be very __creative__. They ask why something happens or what happens and then devise experiments to answer the question. Their creativity allows them to think outside the box and envision things that cannot be seen. They must be ready to give up old ideas when new ones come along.

The best scientists are __tenacious__ and __determined__. They realize that their life’s work may take decades to reach a conclusion and that they may be starting in the wrong way and need to change course. They also understand that, as they build on the work of scientists from past generations, their own work will likely be proven false by future scientists.

Scientists must be able to __work as part of a team__ or to __work independently__, depending on the need of the project. They must be able to __communicate effectively__, both in writing and in speaking. People in science careers often work alone, but they also must have good networking skills. Joining and participating in scientific associations strengthen the ties in the scientific community, and scientists can help and support one another. A good scientist has the capability of explaining scientific ideas to a person who is not a scientist.

**Essential Questions: How do scientists discover things?**
//Students will summarize the processes and characteristics of different kinds of scientific investigations.//


 * Scientific Knowledge**
 * Pure science** is the gathering of new information or the discovery of a new fact. Pure science adds to scientific knowledge but does not have practical uses.


 * Technology** (applied science) is the practical use of scientific information.To understand how air pressure works is pure science, to use that information to make a drinking straw is technology.

Problem vs Exercise
A **problem** exists when a situation exists in which a person does not immediately see a course of action that will lead to a solution. If a course of action is obvious, then the situation is an **exercise**. A process that uses certain skills to solve a problem is called **critical thinking**.

Everyone solves problems differently. You need to develop several different strategies that you can use when faced with a problem. A **strategy** is an organized approach to a problem that breaks down the task of obtaining and organizing information into stages. Problems are rarely a completely new, unique situation. Therefore, you can try one or more of the problem solving techniques:
 * = Solve similar or simpler problem || cccccccccccccccccc || Eliminate possiblities || ccccc ||= Make a model or drawing ||
 * = Make a drawing ||  || Write a mathematical expression ||   ||= Act out a problem ||
 * = Work backwards ||  ||   ||   ||= Talk to experts ||
 * = Guess and check ||  ||   ||   ||= Look for patterns ||

Science is a process for observing, studying, and attempting to explain our world. Scientists attempt to find answers to questions. Problem solving is the process of moving toward a goal when the path to that goal is uncertain. We solve problems every time we achieve something without having known beforehand how to do so. We experience simple problems every day: finding lost keys, deciding what to do when our car won't start, even improvising a meal from leftovers. But there are also larger and more significant "ill-defined" problems, such as getting an education, becoming a successful person, and finding happiness.

Misconceptions

 * You can't write anything down unless you know the answer
 * A way to solve a problem should be obvious when you first encounter it
 * There is only one right way to solve a problem or
 * There is only one right answer
 * Guessing is not allowed

** Essential Question: How do scientists develop explanations? **
//Students will learn how scientists analyze, chose their methods, develop explanations, and identify support for a theory.//

Empirical evidence or "scientific evidence" is evidence which serves the purpose of either supporting or counter a scientific hypothesis or theory. A central theme of science and scientific method is that all evidence must be empirical, or at least empirically based, that is, it should depend on evidence or results that can be observed by our senses. It should be noted here that scientific statements are subject to and derived from our experience or observations and empirical data is based on both observations and experiment results.
 * Empirical Evidence **

In the process of accepting or disproving any hypothesis, facts (evidence) are coupled with inference which is the act of deriving a conclusion on the basis of observations or experiment.

However, scientific evidence or empirical evidence is evidence where evidence does depend on inference thus it enables other researchers to examine the assumptions or hypothesis employed to see if facts are relevant at all to the support of or counter the hypothesis.

In everyday use, //theory// means a guess or a hunch, something that maybe needs proof. //In science, a// theory //is not a guess, not a hunch. It's a well-substantiated, well-supported, well-documented explanation for our observations.// It ties together all the facts about something, providing an explanation that fits all the observations and can be used to make predictions. In science, //theory// is the ultimate goal, the explanation. It's as close to proven as anything in science can be.
 * Scientific Explanations **

//Some people think that in science, you have a// theory//, and once it's proven, it becomes a// law//. **That's not how it works.**// In science, we collect facts, or observations, we use //laws// to describe them, and a //theory// to explain them. You don't promote a //theory// to a //law// by proving it. A //theory// never becomes a //law//.

Laws describe things, theories explain them. An example will help you to understand this. There's a //law// of gravity, which is the description of gravity. It basically says that if you let go of something it'll fall. It doesn't say why. Then there's the //theory// of gravity, which is an attempt to explain why.

Physical/Theory vs Law.wmv

** Essential Question How do scientists show results in investigations? **
//Students will learn how to use tables, graphs, and models to display and analyze scientific data.// = = When scientists try to solve a problem, they usually search for an answer in an orderly and systematic manner. Although many problems have been solved by pure chance, using a method of scientific thinking greatly improves the probability of finding an answer to a question. There are five basic parts to the scientific method.

Statement of the Problem
The first step in solving a problem is to make sure you completely understand the problem. After a careful analysis of the situation, you must limit it to a single, clearly defined issue before you can proceed. The statement of the problem is usually in the form of a question. Good scientific questions have real answers and can not be answered with "yes" or "no". They are also testable. This means that you can design an experiment or take measurements to find an answer.

Gathering Information
All scientific discoveries begin with a basic idea. In order to determine whether or not the idea has merit, you must do research. This research allows you to see what has been done in the past so that you won't repeat work already done and it could possibly offer you some solutions.

Forming a Hypothesis
The third step in the scientific method is to make an educated guess at the solution. This is called the //**hypothesis**//, since it is a reasonable solution based on knowledge and judgment rather than on ignorance and superstition. A hypothesis has been referred to as an educated guess. In the context of the scientific method, this description is somewhat correct. After a problem is identified, the scientist would typically conduct some research about the problem and then make a hypothesis about what will happen during his or her experiment. A better explanation of the purpose of a hypothesis is that a hypothesis is a proposed solution to a problem. Hypotheses have not yet been supported by any measurable data. In fact, we often confuse this term with the word theory in our everyday language. People say that they have theories about different situations and problems that occur in their lives but a theory implies that there has been much data to support the explanation. When we use this term we are actually referring to a hypothesis. For example, someone might say, "I have a theory about why Jane won't go out on a date with Billy." Since there is no data to support this explanation, this is actually a hypothesis.

Experimentation
It is now time to test your hypothesis. The experiment must be thought out ahead of time to obtain all the necessary materials. The test must be done with accurate notes, so other people can reproduce the same experiment in the same conditions. Each experiment must contain two procedures: One procedure must contain //**control**// and one must contain a //**variable**//. Furthermore, there must be a sufficient number of experimental subjects, repetition, and careful observations.

**Variables**
A variable is anything that changes. In the two procedures, this is the procedure with the change. However, there can only be one variable, otherwise, the test is invalid. If this was not the case, you wouldn't know if the results were because of the variable or whether it was altered by something else. You must always be on the lookout for extraneous variable (i.e., the temperature, humidity, placement of your tools, and other things you would ordinarily not pay attention to.) These variables must be kept the same for both procedures. They are called the ** //constant variables// **.

During an experiment, it is important that you only test one variable at a time. The variable that is being tested is called the // **independent variable** //. The action or result caused by the independent variable is called the // **dependent variable** //.

**Control**
This is something that every valid experiment must contain. In two procedures, the procedures are identical, until, at one point, a variable is introduced. The variable is the thing being tested in the experiment. The procedure with the variable is the one involving the experiment. The procedure without the variable is called the // **control** //.

**Sufficient Number of Trials**
Large numbers of organisms should be used so that variables such as disease and individual differences may be ruled out. Also, mathematically speaking, the more organisms, the better the accuracy. Also, do not be quick to assume that works on some animals will work on humans. The results may be completely different.

**Repetition**
An experiment must be repeated many times to assure its reliability. If it is not repeated, you can not be sure if the experiment is valid or if it was just a fluke.

**Observations and Data**
Any activity that is designed to test a hypothesis is an experiment. During an experiment it is important to make careful observations and write down everything that occurs. An ** //observation// ** is any information that is gathered through our senses. Everything we hear, taste, smell, or touch is an observation. It is very important to make accurate observations because you want to learn everything you can about the problems you are working on. However, you can't always rely on your senses. Scientific tools are often used to provide more accurate observation. The tools of a scientist may include telescopes, microscopes, lasers, thermometers, balances, computers rulers, etc. ** Data ** is all the information collected as observations and measurements. As you observe the world, you also make inferences. An ** //inference// ** is a judgment or assumption based on reasoning from observations.

//The girl is smiling therefore she is happy.// //The dog is barking at the door, therefore, someone is at the door.// //The air conditioner ran all day, it must be hot outside.//

Models
Greeks were the first people known to make models of nature. They used logic and geometry to explain patterns in nature without resorting to myth or the supernatural. They sought to understand the architecture of the universe by constructing models of nature. Scientific model is a conceptual representation whose purpose is to explain and predict observed phenomena.

Explanations are made from patterns of data, and the explanations will be tested by talking through them and thinking about what makes sense. The story that makes the most sense will be your theory or model for what happened. This process – making observations, identifying patterns in data, and developing and testing explanations for those patterns – is quite similar to what scientists do as they develop explanations for natural phenomena. Such explanations are called scientific models.

Scientists use drawings, graphs, equations, three dimensional structures, or words to communicate their models (which are ideas and not physical objects) to others. For example, a scientist might use 3-dimensional balls and sticks to help her communicate her ideas or model about molecular structure. Galileo developed a model to explain the patterns in the movements of objects in the sky, including the rising and setting of both the sun and moon. Currently, scientists are developing models to explain the phenomenon of uncontrolled cell division (or lack of “apoptosis” which is programmed cell death) associated with cancer. There are countless other important models already accepted by scientists and as many others that are currently being developed.

Scientists develop models in many different forms. Models may be actual physical constructions of mental images. They can also be mathematical models.

A model of the Earth, moon and sun, using wooden spheres that move mechanically, can physically model the phases of the moon and eclipses.

The mental models of early scientists pictured the atom as a solar system in which the sun modeled the nucleus and orbiting planets represented the electrons.

Others models may be mathematical in nature. Rays of light can be treated as waves and equations can be developed that graphically describe the properties of those waves in great detail.

=Formation of Conclusions= After careful evaluations of your results, you must answer one question: Was my hypothesis correct? Even if you have proved your hypothesis false, it does not necessarily mean it is wrong. In your experiment, you may have uncovered a new hypothesis. Remember though, a good conclusion often leads to another hypothesis.

** Essential Question: How do scientists and society work together? **
// Students will be able to describe the impact science has had on society and society on science, especially in regards to political, economic, and social concerns and decisions. //

= Practice Quiz = media type="custom" key="26294760"