The Nature of Science

N.1.1- describe the nature of science

 DO NOW
• What materials do you need to bring everyday?
• How long do you have for the DO NOW?
• Where can you find information about the class
assignment if you were sick?
• How often will I update the gradebook?
• List 3 things that are not allowed in the lab
• Describe your vision of a safe student in the lab
Quick Review (Verbal Drills)
Essential Question:

Notes

Summary
 What is Science?

Essential Question: How can you tell

the difference between science and
non-science using scientific
observations?
 Sewer Lice
• On the left side of your notebook – Page 4,
write down your observations

– What did you observe?

 Observation Vs Inference
Observation Inference
• Based your senses • Educated guess based in
evidence

• Of the statements you • Of the statements, which

wrote down, which are are inferences?
observations?
 Let’s talk SCIENCE!
1. All science is a process of inquiry
• 2. We can only study problems in the natural
world
– Scientists use the 5 senses to observe and
evaluate
– Theories can change; we don’t have all the
answers or solutions!
– Laws are proven to be true
 Science
6 Criteria: *Must meet ALL 6 criteria to be
scientific!

“CONPAT”
• Consistency: the results of repeated
observations and/or experiments concerning a
naturally occurring event are reasonably the
same
 Science
6 Criteria: “CONPAT”

• Observable: the event under study can be

observed and explained.
– Observations are limited to the basic human
senses.
 Science
6 Criteria: “CONPAT”

• Natural: a natural cause must be used to

explain why or how the naturally occurring
event happens.
– Scientists cannot use supernatural explanations as
to why or how naturally occurring events happen
– Reference to the supernatural is outside the realm
of science
 Science
6 Criteria: “CONPAT”

• Predictable: the cause of the naturally

occurring event can be used to make specific
predictions
– Based on your observations, you can make
predictions (hypotheses)
 Science
6 Criteria: “CONPAT”

• Able to change: scientific theories are subject to

revision and correction, even to the point of the
theory being proven wrong.
– Scientific theories will be continue to be modified to
consistently explain observations of naturally
occurring events
– As technology improves, so does our ability to make
better observations
 Science
6 Criteria: “CONPAT”

• Testable: the cause of the naturally occurring

event must be testable through the processes
of science
– You must be able to measure it in some way!
– References to the supernatural events or causes
are not relevant tests
 Non-Science
• An area of knowledge which does not meet
the criteria of science (CONPAT)
– Topics areas may be very logical and based on
good reasoning, but simply do not fall within the
realm of science

• Examples: personal opinions

 False-Science
• Also known as “pseudoscience”
– It can be portrayed and advertised as legitimate
science by its followers and supporters
– Phenomena conflict with known physical laws

• Example: fortune-telling
 Check for Understanding
• Tell whether the statement IS or IS NOT a
scientific statement.

1. Walking under a ladder causes bad luck.

NOT scientific! Meets none of the criteria.
 Check for Understanding
• Tell whether the statement IS or IS NOT a
scientific statement.

2. Some plants eat meat.

This IS scientific! We can OBSERVE this, and it meets
all of the remaining criteria too.
 Check for Understanding
• Tell whether the statement IS or IS NOT a
scientific statement.

3. Life comes from life, and it doesn’t come from

anywhere else.
This IS scientific! It meets all the criteria.
 Check for Understanding
• Tell whether the statement IS or IS NOT a
scientific statement.

4. All living things are made of cells.

This IS scientific! It meets all the criteria.
 The Scientific Method
• The scientific method is a cycle that scientists
follow that ensures the CONPAT requirements
are met
– All steps can be repeated
– There is no beginning or end of the cycle- Why?
Steps of the Scientific Method

Observe

Evaluate Form
Results Hypothesis
The Scientific Method

Analyze Test
Data Hypothesis
 Check for Understanding
• Where does the scientific method begin and
end?

• Why is the scientific method considered a

cycle?
 Review: Observation vs Inference
• What can you observe?
• What can you infer?
 Practice Scenario
• You’ve noticed that many of your classmates
are frequently on their phones. You want to
know if the time spent on social media
(Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) affects
your classmates’ grades.

• Looking at your map of the scientific method,

how could we test this?
 Mystery Box
• C – level 2 working with partner
• H- ask three before me
• A- Without opening them, try to guess what is in
each box!
• M- remain at the appropriate mystery box until
instructed to move
• P- working with your partner, complete your own
activity sheet
• Success!
 Exit Ticket
1. What are the 6 criteria of science? – just one-
word answers please!
2. True or false (if false, explain): the scientific
method always starts and ends in the same
way and same step.
3. “I saw ice in the water last week, so I think
the lake water will still be cold.” Is this an
observation or inference?