Three Scientists, Three IndividualsThree Scientists, Three Individuals

Carl Sagan-Astronomer, Pulitzer Carl Sagan-Astronomer, Pulitzer Prize winning authorPrize winning author

Enriqueta Barrera-Geologist, Enriqueta Barrera-Geologist, PaleontologistPaleontologist

Evan B. Forde-National Oceanic Evan B. Forde-National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Atmospheric Administration ResearcherResearcher

Different Lives, Common GoalsDifferent Lives, Common Goals

Scientists have in common the scientist’s Scientists have in common the scientist’s mindmind

A way of looking at the world with both A way of looking at the world with both logic and a sense of wonderlogic and a sense of wonder

Qualities of Scientific ThinkingQualities of Scientific Thinking

Scientists are observantScientists are observant Scientists are creativeScientists are creative Scientists are skepticalScientists are skeptical Evidence- material or data that can be measured Evidence- material or data that can be measured

to verify or test a predictionto verify or test a prediction Hypothesis-tentative explanation for an Hypothesis-tentative explanation for an

observationobservation Technology-Application of science to meet Technology-Application of science to meet

human needshuman needs

Scientific Methods of InquiryScientific Methods of Inquiry

Creativity and logic play a large role in Creativity and logic play a large role in sciencescience

How Scientists Approach QuestionsHow Scientists Approach Questions

Some questions are answered by Some questions are answered by experimentationexperimentation

Some questions are answered by observationSome questions are answered by observation Scientific inquiry generally involves Scientific inquiry generally involves

Observing Observing Asking questionsAsking questions Forming a hypothesis,Forming a hypothesis, Gathering dataGathering data Testing the hypothesisTesting the hypothesis Sharing resultsSharing results

Scientific inquiry generally involves, Scientific inquiry generally involves, observing, asking questions, forming a observing, asking questions, forming a hypothesis, gathering data, testing the hypothesis, gathering data, testing the hypothesis, and sharing what has been hypothesis, and sharing what has been learned.learned.

Not every question can best be answered Not every question can best be answered by doing an experiment.by doing an experiment.

The best way to figure out what was going The best way to figure out what was going on was to collect data.on was to collect data.

A look at the approach taken by one A look at the approach taken by one scientists can illustrate how scientists scientists can illustrate how scientists approach questions.approach questions.

Applying Scientific InquiryApplying Scientific Inquiry

Observe- wells going dryObserve- wells going dry Question- was the new subdivision the causeQuestion- was the new subdivision the cause Experiment- by measuring the water table over Experiment- by measuring the water table over

timetime Hypothesis-water table was recharged by spring Hypothesis-water table was recharged by spring

runoffrunoff Test hypothesis measuring water from mountain Test hypothesis measuring water from mountain

stream to riverstream to river Share resultsShare results

Scientific journals differ from magazines Scientific journals differ from magazines because of peer review.because of peer review.

Several ideas have been advanced and Several ideas have been advanced and disproved.disproved.

Scientists need to be willing to ask Scientists need to be willing to ask questions and experiment.questions and experiment.

Also, they need to be willing to Also, they need to be willing to change their minds about their change their minds about their hypothesis if the evidence they hypothesis if the evidence they gather does not support it.gather does not support it.

A theory is an explanation for A theory is an explanation for observable events or facts for which observable events or facts for which no exception has been found.no exception has been found.

Scientific laws are different from Scientific laws are different from theories.theories.

They are generalizations about how They are generalizations about how the natural world behaves under the natural world behaves under certain conditions.certain conditions.

• Science has a lot of impact on your daily life.

• Learning can be easier when you’re younger, and that’s part of the reason your parents turn to you for help with technological devices around your house.

• The rate of technological development isn’t likely to slow down.

• Scientists use a variety of tools in their inquiries.

• For example, computers, and satellites, are complex and may cost billions of dollars.

► In geology, which is the scientific study In geology, which is the scientific study to Earth’s structure, a simple rock to Earth’s structure, a simple rock hammer is an important tool.hammer is an important tool.

► In the laboratory, geologists may use a In the laboratory, geologists may use a crusher to pulverize a specimen for crusher to pulverize a specimen for chemical analysis.chemical analysis.

►Geologists also use laser range finders Geologists also use laser range finders for measuring distance, clinometers, for measuring distance, clinometers, magnetometers, and gravimeters.magnetometers, and gravimeters.

In the scientific study of weather and climate, In the scientific study of weather and climate, meteorology, scientists use a variety of meteorology, scientists use a variety of instruments.instruments.

Astronomy is the scientific study of the Astronomy is the scientific study of the universe.universe.

Not all of the earth scientist’s tools were Not all of the earth scientist’s tools were developed for purely scientific reasons.developed for purely scientific reasons.

Two tools in particular have Two tools in particular have revolutionized earth science: the revolutionized earth science: the computer and the satellite.computer and the satellite.

Like computers, satellites are useful to Like computers, satellites are useful to earth scientists in all fields.earth scientists in all fields.