Module 1 lesson 1
- 2. What is Science? Observation, identification, description, and explanation of phenomena (occurrences in the world around us) Latin root for the word science is scientia meaning knowledge Through study of science Ask Questions Develop Hypothesis (educated guesses) Design and Carry out Experiments Gain a Better Understanding of the Universe
- 3. Scientific Method Procedure for studying nature Consists of several steps Make an observation Ask questions Form the hypothesis Set up an experiment Collect the data Draw a conclusion Make a prediction
- 4. Making Observations and Defining the Problem Observations are made by using the five senses (sight, touch, smell, sound, and taste) to obtain information Making observations may lead to identifying problems
- 5. Asking Questions By asking questions we can search for logical explanations of what we observe and find ways to solve problems
- 6. Sample Experiment Asked to observe marine snail behavior in an aquarium Tank contains several snails at one end and a mussel (food) at the other end Observe snails climbing the aquarium and swarming all over the food What is the problem?
- 7. Forming the Hypothesis After observing and asking questions we can form an opinion about how or why something happens Hypothesis – statement that gives the best possible response to the question Based on already known facts Educated Guess
- 8. Setting Up the Experiment Should give accurate and measureable results Should be designed to collect information Goal is to prove or disprove a hypothesis Set up to examine only one condition (variable) at a time to give meaningful data
- 9. Sample Experiment Materials: Aquarium Food Seawater Graduated cylinder Snails Metric ruler
- 12. Experimental Variables Independent Variable – factor that is changed or manipulated during an experiment in order to determine the effect of the change Dependent Variable – the factor that the experimenter is measuring or counting Changes in response to the independent variable Control Variable – all other factors in an experiment Things that the investigator attempts to control Goal is to keep them the same for all samples
- 13. Experimental Groups Control Group Variable (Experimental) Groups
- 14. Collecting Data Gathered from observations and measurements taken during an experiment Qualitative Data – information that cannot be assigned a numerical value Usually collected using the five senses Quantitative Data - anything that can be expressed as a number or quantified Include lengths, weights, masses, volumes, time, anything expressed as a number Observations must be recorded
- 15. Organizing Data
- 16. Organizing Data
- 17. Draw Conclusion Based on data Support hypothesis Snails move faster in the presence of food