What is Science?What is Science?

Science is:Science is:

The study of The study of processes/observations that processes/observations that determines information.determines information.

Types of Sciences:Types of Sciences:

Name of theName of the Area of Area of Science:Science: Study:______Study:______EcologyEcology EnvironmentEnvironmentBiologyBiology LifeLifeOrnithologyOrnithology BirdsBirdsIcthologyIcthology FishFishChemistryChemistry Chemical RxnChemical RxnBotanyBotany PlantsPlantsZoologyZoology AnimalsAnimals

Characteristics of Science:Characteristics of Science: Gather background informationGather background information ObservationsObservations PredicationsPredications ExperimentationExperimentation Data analysisData analysis Form a conclusionForm a conclusion

Steps of the Scientific MethodSteps of the Scientific Method

1. Make 1. Make predictionspredictions that identify a that identify a solutionsolution or lead to or lead to a a conclusionconclusion..

2.2. Note any Note any observationsobservations that may give you that may give you some idea of a some idea of a possible answer. This possible answer. This involves:involves:

DescriptionsDescriptions Drawings/PhotographsDrawings/Photographs Using your sensesUsing your senses

3.3. Form a Form a hypothesishypothesis, which is an , which is an educated educated guessguess. A good hypothesis . A good hypothesis tells you two things:tells you two things:

A.A. What you think is going to happenWhat you think is going to happen

B.B. Why or how that is going to happen.Why or how that is going to happen.

Example:Example:

Use an if, then Use an if, then statementstatement

If phosphate is If phosphate is increased, then the increased, then the algae population algae population will increase due to will increase due to nutrient overload.nutrient overload.

4.4. Conduct an Conduct an experimentexperiment, , collect collect datadata, and , and analyze the results.analyze the results.

Types of data:Types of data:a.a. Quantitative- use of Quantitative- use of

numbersnumbersEx: ages, height, massEx: ages, height, mass

b.b. Qualitative- descriptionQualitative- descriptionEx: animal behaviorEx: animal behavior

Parts to an Experiment:Parts to an Experiment: ConstantsConstants- holding variables the - holding variables the

same.same. ControlControl- anything that does not - anything that does not

receive an experimental treatment receive an experimental treatment (compare)(compare)

VariablesVariables::– Dependent variable-Dependent variable- what you are what you are

measuringmeasuring– Independent variable-Independent variable- what is causing what is causing

the changethe change

Analyzing results often means Analyzing results often means making a making a graph or data tablegraph or data table..

5.5. Draw a Draw a conclusionconclusion: scientist accept : scientist accept or reject the original or reject the original hypothesishypothesis. . This can lead to new questions and This can lead to new questions and start the process again.start the process again.

*Always support your claims with data.*Always support your claims with data.

Hypothesis vs. TheoryHypothesis vs. Theory A theory is different from a hypothesis:A theory is different from a hypothesis:

A A hypothesis hypothesis is an educated guess based is an educated guess based only on a small amount of information.only on a small amount of information.

Ex: If I eat vegetables, then I will be Ex: If I eat vegetables, then I will be healthier.healthier.

A A theorytheory is an explanation of many facts is an explanation of many facts and how they are related and work and how they are related and work together to explain a phenomenon.together to explain a phenomenon.

Ex: EvolutionEx: Evolution

EcologyEcology Study of the relationship between the Study of the relationship between the

bioticbiotic (living) and (living) and abioticabiotic (nonliving) (nonliving) factors in the environment.factors in the environment.

Ex of abiotic factors: temp, sunlight, Ex of abiotic factors: temp, sunlight, soil, water, etc.soil, water, etc.

Ex of biotic factors: plants, bacteria, Ex of biotic factors: plants, bacteria, animals, etc.animals, etc.