2-1 The Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge

1. Scientific Understanding – Comprehensive Science 3 Mrs. Bloch 2-1 The Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge

2. Vocabulary • Observing-using one or more of your senses to gather information • Data- facts, figures, and other evidence collected during a scientific investigation • Empirical Evidence-data and observations that have been collected through scientific processes and that explain a particular observation • Inferring- explaining observations in a logical manner. It does not mean guessing wildly

3. Vocabulary • Objective Reasoning-reasoning that is based on evidence • Subjective Reasoning-Reasoning that is based on personal feelings or personal values • Opinions- personal feelings • Pseudoscience-a set of beliefs that may make use of science but whose conclusions and predictions are not based on observation, objective reasoning or scientific evidence.

4. My Planet Diary pg. 52 • Bittersweet - In 2007, scientists found they had a mystery on their hands. In some countries, commercial honeybees began dying off in very large numbers. Honeybees pollinate crops such as apples, nuts, celery, and squash. If the mystery went unsolved, basic foods might become scarce! • Scientists began to investigate. In 2009, they compared the genes in healthy honeybees to the genes in sick honeybees. They found evidence that certain viruses attack proteins in honeybees. The afflicted bees seem unable to produce proteins that can fight the viruses. So the bees die. • Why did scientists have to keep investigating even after they thought they had found a reason why honeybees were dying? • How might your life be affected if large numbers of honeybees keep dying?

5. What Activities Do Scientific Investigations Involve? Pg. 53 • Scientific investigations involve: • Observing • Collecting Empirical Evidence • Using Logical Reasoning • Inferring • Applying Imagination. • **Observing means using one or more of your senses to gather information. • Observing is the process of gathering information from which scientific conclusions are drawn.

6. Observing pg. 53 • **Observing means using one or more of your senses to gather information. • Observing is the process of gathering information from which scientific conclusions are • drawn.

7. Counting Crows – figure 1 pg. 53 • Researchers wearing masks trapped crows (1).Then the researchers put bands around the crows’ legs(2).Then they walked around, recording crows’ reactions(3). • What senses did the researchers use • When observing the crows? • ____________________________ • ____________________________ • 2. Why did the researchers wear • Masks when they put the bands • On the crow’s legs? • ______________________________ • ______________________________ • ______________________________

8. Figure 2 – pg. 54 - Conclusions and Empirical Evidence While wearing a caveman mask, a researcher walked away from a particular crow in the area they were studying. A second researcher walked away from the same crow while wearing a different mask.

9. Collecting Empirical Evidence pg. 54 • Data are facts, figures, and other evidence collected during a scientific investigation. • Empirical evidence is data and observations that have been collected through scientific processes and that also explain a particular observation. • All scientific investigations involve the collection of relevant empirical evidence to support researchers’ conclusions.

10. Using Logical Reasoning pg. 54 Scientists use logical reasoning to examine their data and reach conclusions that explain their observation. SCD, TEF, UGH, ____, WKL A. CMN B. UJI C. VIJ D. IJT

11. Inferring pg. 55 Scientific investigations involve inferring, or basing conclusions on reasoning from what is already known. Inferring means explaining Observations in a logical Manner. It does not mean Guessing wildly.

12. Applying Imagination pg. 55 • Applying Imagination is an important element • of scientific investigation. It helps scientists design experiments. It also allows scientists to solve scientific problems and see patterns in data that no one else has noticed. • -When the scientists decided to use caveman masks that showed their creative thinking.

13. Assess Your Understanding pg. 55 • 1a. Review- (Empirical evidence / logical reasoning) is data and observations collected through scientific research, indicating that a specific explanation is true. • b. Understand- In scientific investigations, how does empirical evidence help scientists devise hypotheses?______________ • _________________________________________________ • c. Identify Faulty Reasoning- Review the empirical evidence collected in the crow experiment. Suppose a certain researcher used the evidence to conclude that all birds recognize human faces. Why would that be a faulty conclusion? _______________________________________ • _________________________________________________ • I get it! Now I know activities involved in scientific investigations include _______________________________ • _________________________________________________

14. Objective and Subjective Reasoning Pg. 56 • There are two general types of reasoning: • OBJECTIVE REASONING &SUBJECTIVE REASONING Objective reasoning Subjective reasoning • is based on evidence. is based on personal feelings or personal values(opinions). • If you base your conclusion on your opinions, or personal feelings, you could reach the incorrect conclusion.

15. Science Versus Pseudoscience pg. 57 • A pseudoscience is a set of beliefs that may make use of science but that is not based on observation, objective reasoning, or scientific evidence. • Science is based on empirical evidence and well-reasoned interpretation of data. • But the conclusions of pseudoscience are based on either subjective reasoning or faulty beliefs, rather than careful examination of evidence.

16. Starry-Eyed – Figure 4 Scientists make use of empirical evidence and relevant data to draw conclusions. People who practice pseudoscience do not. Distinguish- Look at the outline of star patterns called Taurus (also known as “the bull”). Identify whether each statement below is based on science (S) or on pseudoscience (P). ______People whose zodiac sign is Taurus tend to be loyal. ______Aldebaran is the brightest star in the constellation Taurus. ______Each year, Taurus reaches its highest point in the sky in January. ______Taurus is a constellation, or pattern of stars. ______Scientists know that bulls are colorblind. So many people whose zodiac sign is Taurus cannot tell green and red apart.

17. Assess Your Understanding pg. 58 • 2a. Summarize- The conclusions of (science / pseudoscience) are based on subjective reasoning. • b. Distinguish- Is palm-reading a science or a pseudoscience? Explain. _______________________________________________ • ______________________________________________________ • ______________________________________________________ • ______________________________________________________ • I get it! Now I know that science is based on empirical evidence. Although pseudoscience makes use of scientific data, the conclusion of pseudoscience are based on _____________________________ • ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18. What Characterizes Science and Its Methods? Pg. 59 • Science and its methods are characterized by an ordered approach to learning about the world. This approach relies on objective analysis of data obtained through careful investigation. Because scientific investigations are well-reasoned, they can be repeated by other scientists to confirm results. • Although science is based on empirical evidence and objective reasoning, its results are open to new discoveries and change.

19. Apply it! Pg. 59 • Scientists once believed coral reefs • thrive only in very shallow water, • where sunlight can easily reach the • reefs. But in 1999, scientists • discovered a reef off Florida’s • southwest coast that lies at depths of • up to 80 meters. Scientists believe • this reef can thrive because the water • around the reef is clear enough for • sunlight to reach the reef. • Summarize- How did scientists revise their original hypothesis to explain where reefs can thrive? _______________________ • ___________________________________________________ • 2. Discuss- How does the scientists’ new hypothesis illustrate the characteristics of science and its methods? ___________________ • ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

20. Assess Your Understanding pg. 59 • I get it! Now I know that science and its methods are characterized by ___________________________________ • __________________________________________________________________________________________________