Science, Matter, Energy, and Systems

Ch. 2Miller and Spoolman, 16th ed.

The Basic Scientific Method

• 5 steps Observation - all 5

senses Hypothesis - prediction

about the relationship between cause & effect

Experiment/Gather Data Analysis/Interpret Data Conclusion

Research - get as much info as you can before beginning

Levels of certainty

• Hypothesis: Prediction very specific Testable falsifiable

• Theory supported by tons of

evidence, widely accepted Broad carries a lot of weight in

science falsifiable

• Scientific Law Widely accepted All evidence supports it

here and in the universe

So far…

Frontier Science

• New stuff• Not widely tested yet• Many scientists skeptical (yay!)• Examples:

Advanced alternative energy technologies

Emerging areas of physics Space propulsion beyond rockets

Reliable Science

• Well tested• Good experimental design• Peer reviewed

Unreliable Science

• Not peer reviewed (straight to the public)

• Discarded by scientists

• BE CRITICAL!

The Limits of Science

• Scientists can disprove things

• Science cannot absolutely prove anything – always some degree of uncertainty

• Instead we say there is a high probability that it is true

The Limits of Science

• Researcher bias – our feelings, opinions, etc sometimes get in the way of impartial research Peer review helps minimize this issue

Listen…Learn…

• 8 minute radio interview with a wildlife photographer

• As you listen, think about these questions:

• Do animals have feelings the way humans do - or – do we anthropomorphize too much?

• What evidence do you have (if any) for this position?

• Is anthropomorphism helpful to environmentalists?

The Limits of Science

• Statistical tools have limits Can’t actually count all

the fish in the sea! Sampling methods

used Data still important –

especially trends in data over time

The Limits of Science

• The environment is SO complex

• Scientists use computer models to simulate conditions

• Can be helpful for large scale things like climate change

The Day The Day they they

ParachutParachuted Cats ed Cats

into into BorneoBorneo

Where in the world is Where in the world is Borneo?Borneo?

DirectionsDirections

1.1. Read over the different eventsRead over the different events2.2. LIST them on your paper in the LIST them on your paper in the

order you think they happenedorder you think they happened

Bonus points Bonus points for getting for getting pretty close pretty close (less than 3-(less than 3-4 off)4 off)

Some help…Some help… The first event is:The first event is:W.H.O. sent DDT to W.H.O. sent DDT to

BorneoBorneo The last event is:The last event is:Cats were parachuted Cats were parachuted

ininA food web present in A food web present in

Borneo: on boardBorneo: on board

So you are trying So you are trying to figure out:to figure out:

WHY did the WHY did the W.H.O. have to W.H.O. have to parachute cats parachute cats into Borneo? into Borneo? What led up to What led up to that?!?that?!?