Do Now • Briefly describe 2 processes of the

scientific method that you can remember from previous lab experience. –Write 2-3 complete sentences

Activity• Design a hypothesis and method with your team as to how you would accurately determine the precise temperature at which water boils with varying volumes of water in different containers.

• Ruler• Electric heating table• Classic thermometer

The Process of Science

Science is based on empirical data that can be either directly or indirectly

observed in the natural world.

Science does not address supernatural phenomenon

that are not a part of the natural, observable

universe

• a flexible framework that guides the study of nature.

SCIENCE PROCESSES• Observing• Inferring• Classifying• Comparing• Measuring• Estimating• Scientific Modeling

SCIENCE PROCESSES• Using a control

• Using proper sample size

• Controlling variables

• Making Graphs + Tables

• Analyzing

• Coming to Conclusions

The Importance of Prediction

• Predictions are a way to test the hypothesis’ validity

Observation, the Currency of Science

• Scientific knowledge is based on observation

• Scientific knowledge is also based on experimentation

• Quantitative vs. Qualitative data

Inference vs. Observation• Observation is what you can see,

feel, touch, smell, taste using ALL your 5 senses

–Ex. I see a TV in front of the class

Inference Inference what you interpret using logic and prior experience.

Ex. I see someone standing in front of the class, they must be the teacher.

Observation• Precise measurements are those

that—when repeated many times—remain close in value –Ex. 200 times of tossing a coin

shows .50 head and .50 tails

Observation• Accurate measurements are those

that show the closest to the TRUE value.–Ex. Multiple measurements of

your body temperature hold close to the average value of 98.6

All research in science must be subject to peer

review.

•Inductive (small to large)

– from small observations to the big picture

•Deductive (large to small)

– from overall view to small details

Inductive and Deductive Reasoning

INDUCTIVE•Small FACT:

– Iron is a metal & heavier than H2O– Lead is a metal & heavier than H2O – Gold is a metal & heavier than H2O

•CONCLUSION:

•ALL metals are heavier than water

DEDUCTIVE•GENERAL RULE:– ALL birds have wings

•Specific example:•Robins are birds

•CONCLUSION:

•ALL Robins have wings

In Science a theory is not a flimsy idea. It is an idea

that is supported by copious amounts of data,

evidence, and observations.

Theories and Principles• Hypothesis supported by a

LARGE body of observations and experiments = THEORY

• Well established, REPEATED testing = PRINCIPLE (LAW )– STRONGEST STATEMENT