What is Science?What is Science?

Science is a way of Science is a way of learning about the learning about the

natural worldnatural world

Scientific InquiryScientific Inquiry

A way that scientists A way that scientists study the natural study the natural worldworld

Inquiry means to Inquiry means to questionquestion

Inquiry is used Inquiry is used everyday by people everyday by people studying plants and studying plants and animalsanimals, , by by physicians and by physicians and by many othersmany others

Scientific MethodScientific MethodPosing questionsPosing questionsMaking observations and inferencesMaking observations and inferencesDeveloping hypothesesDeveloping hypothesesDesigning experimentsDesigning experimentsMaking measurementsMaking measurementsCollecting dataCollecting dataDrawing conclusionsDrawing conclusionsCommunicatingCommunicating

Posing QuestionsPosing QuestionsScientific inquiry begins with a Scientific inquiry begins with a

questionquestionDoes fertilizer make plants Does fertilizer make plants

grow larger?grow larger?How does a person get sick?How does a person get sick?How far away are the stars?How far away are the stars?

ObservationObservationInvolves using Involves using

one or more of one or more of your senses-your senses-sight, hearing, sight, hearing, touch, smell, and touch, smell, and sometimes taste-sometimes taste-to gather to gather information and information and collect datacollect data

DataDataData are the Data are the

facts, figures facts, figures and other and other information information gathered gathered through through observationobservation

InferenceInferenceAn interpretation of an An interpretation of an

observation that is based on observation that is based on evidence or prior knowledgeevidence or prior knowledge

To figure something out based To figure something out based on what you already knowon what you already know

HypothesisHypothesisA possible explanation for a A possible explanation for a

set of observations or an set of observations or an answer to a scientific questionanswer to a scientific question

An educated guessAn educated guessWhat you think is going to What you think is going to

happen in an experimenthappen in an experiment

VariablesVariablesFactors that can change in an experimentFactors that can change in an experimentManipulated variable- Manipulated variable- the factor in an the factor in an

experiment that you change on purpose, experiment that you change on purpose, (sometimes called the independent (sometimes called the independent variable)variable)

Responding variable- Responding variable- thethe factor that factor that changes because of the manipulated changes because of the manipulated variable (sometimes called the dependent variable (sometimes called the dependent variable)variable)

Controlled ExperimentControlled ExperimentAn experiment An experiment

in which all of in which all of the variables the variables except for one except for one remain the remain the samesame

Making Making MeasurementsMeasurements

In science we use the Metric In science we use the Metric system also known as the SI or system also known as the SI or International System of UnitsInternational System of Units

Grams-weightGrams-weightMeters-lengthMeters-lengthLiters-volume (liquids)Liters-volume (liquids)

Interpreting DataInterpreting DataMeans arranging Means arranging

data that you have data that you have collected in an collected in an experiment in an experiment in an organized wayorganized way

Tables, graphs and Tables, graphs and charts help charts help organize dataorganize data

Drawing Drawing ConclusionsConclusions

Means summing up what you learned from Means summing up what you learned from the investigationthe investigation

You need to decide whether or not the You need to decide whether or not the data support your original hypothesisdata support your original hypothesis

Evidence can either support a hypothesis Evidence can either support a hypothesis or prove it to be falseor prove it to be false

Conclusions often lead to new question, Conclusions often lead to new question, which lead to new experimentswhich lead to new experiments

CommunicationCommunication Passing on the results Passing on the results

of your experiment to of your experiment to others through writing others through writing and speakingand speaking

Writing articles, giving Writing articles, giving a presentation, and a presentation, and by using the internetby using the internet

Scientific TheoriesScientific TheoriesA well tested concept that A well tested concept that

explains a wide range of explains a wide range of observationsobservations

An idea that is supported by An idea that is supported by repeated experimentsrepeated experiments

Laboratory SafetyLaboratory SafetyMeans following your teachers instructions Means following your teachers instructions

and making sure you understand all and making sure you understand all laboratory procedures before you beginlaboratory procedures before you begin

Show courtesy to your teacher and Show courtesy to your teacher and classmatesclassmates

Wearing proper lab safety equipmentWearing proper lab safety equipmentBeing careful with lab materialBeing careful with lab materialKeeping your work area clean and neatKeeping your work area clean and neat

DisposalDisposalSpecial disposal Special disposal procedures need procedures need to be followed.to be followed.

Do not dispose of Do not dispose of these materials in these materials in the sink or trash the sink or trash cancan

Dispose of wastes Dispose of wastes as directed by as directed by your teacher.your teacher.

BiologicalBiologicalOrganisms or other Organisms or other biological materials biological materials that might be harmful that might be harmful to humans or the to humans or the environment.environment.

Avoid skin contact Avoid skin contact with these materials. with these materials. Wear mask or Wear mask or gloves.gloves.

Notify your teacher if Notify your teacher if you suspect contact you suspect contact with material. Wash with material. Wash hands thoroughly.hands thoroughly.

Extreme Extreme TemperatureTemperature

Objects that can Objects that can burn skin by burn skin by being too cold or being too cold or too hot.too hot.

Use proper Use proper protection when protection when handling.handling.

Go to your Go to your teacher for first teacher for first aid.aid.

Sharp Sharp ObjectObject

Use of tools or Use of tools or glassware that can glassware that can easily puncture or slice easily puncture or slice skin.skin.

E.g. Razor blades, pins, E.g. Razor blades, pins, scalpels, pointed tools, scalpels, pointed tools, dissecting probes, dissecting probes, broken glass.broken glass.

Practice common sense Practice common sense behavior and follow behavior and follow guidelines for use of the guidelines for use of the tool.tool.

Go to your teacher for Go to your teacher for first aidfirst aid..

Branches of Life Branches of Life ScienceScience

PhysicianPhysicianEmergency Emergency

Medical Medical TechnicianTechnician

VeterinarianVeterinarianPhysical Physical

TherapistTherapist

BotanistBotanistMarine BiologistMarine BiologistPark RangerPark Ranger