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What is Science?

Science is a process that produces information about nature through observation and experimentation. It helps us better understand our world and apply the results to the real world. The scientific method, which involves steps like observation, hypothesis, experimentation, data analysis, and conclusion, is used to collect information and solve problems. This text provides examples and explanations of the scientific method.

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What is Science?

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  1. What is Science?

  2. What is Science? • Science: Process that produces information about nature • Steps: Observation & Experimentation • Why: Apply the results to the real world • Why: Better understand our world • Information gathered by the “Scientific Method”

  3. Scientific Method • Defined: Series of steps to collect information or solve problems 1) Observation 2) Hypothesis 3) Experimentation 4) Data Analysis 5) Conclusion

  4. Observation and Hypothesis • Observe the living world • Example: Very little plant life on forest floor • Hypothesis: tentative explanation • If…then statement • Example: If there are tall canopy trees blocking sunlight, then few plants will grow near the ground.

  5. Experimentation • Designed to test independent variable • Independent variable: factor altered • Ex: Presence of canopy trees • Two parts to an experiment • 1) Control group: comparison group • Ex: patch of land with large canopy trees • 2) Experimental group: tests the independent variable • Ex: patch of land w/o canopy trees • Dependent variable: data collected • Ex: growth height of the plants

  6. Here is a well designed setup

  7. 8cm rain/month 8cm rain/month 6 hours sun/day Control Group Experimental Group 6 hours sun/day Grazing animals 60⁰ temp 60⁰ temp Grazing animals Large canopy trees Patch of open land The experimental plants grew 1 meter taller. What most likely caused this change?

  8. Here is a poorly designed setup

  9. 8cm rain/month 8cm rain/month 6 hours sun/day Control Group Experimental Group 4 hours sun/day Grazing animals 60⁰ temp 80⁰ temp Grazing animals Large canopy trees Patch of open land The experimental plants grew 1 meter taller. What most likely caused this change? Unknown! Too many changed variables!

  10. Data Collection • Collect data to either support/not support your hypothesis • No hypotheses are proven after 1 experiment • Data and Results: Plants on the ground grew almost 1m taller w/o the canopy trees

  11. Conclusion & Repetition • Your findings would be shared and duplicated by others • Develop a THEORY (hypothesis that has been tested and continually supported) • Theories and hypotheses change based on new information

  12. Farmer Bob wants to test his new fertilizer to help his crops grow better. He sections off two large areas of his field. In section A, he waters his crops as usual but adds no fertilizer. In section B, he waters his crops as usual and also adds his experimental fertilizer. After 1 growing season, he records the growth of the crops. Name the control group _________________________________________________ Name the experimental group ____________________________________________ Name the independent variable __________________________________________ Name the dependent variable ____________________________________________ Section A Section B Chemical added to the crops Growth of the crops

  13. The United States military wants to see if soldiers with only 4 hours of sleep can operate at the same level as those who normally get 7 hours of sleep. One hundred solders are allowed to only sleep for 4 hours a night and another hundred are allowed to sleep for 7 hours a night. During the day, the soldiers are tested for marksmanship on the firing range. Name the control group _________________________________________________ Name the experimental group ____________________________________________ Name the independent variable __________________________________________ Name the dependent variable ____________________________________________ Soldiers with 7 hours sleep Soldiers with 4 hours sleep Amount of sleep given Score on the firing range

  14. The city of Los Angeles wants to know if there is a connection between physical fitness and air pollution. Fifty volunteers from the mayor’s office agree to be tested. First, they are asked to ride a stationary bike for 1 hour in a pollution-free air chamber. A week later, the 50 volunteers return and are again asked to ride a stationary bike for 1 hour in a chamber filled with air pollutants common to Los Angeles. Their heart rates are monitored throughout the 1 hour bike rides. Name the control group _________________________________________________ Name the experimental group ____________________________________________ Name the independent variable __________________________________________ Name the dependent variable ____________________________________________ Volunteers who breathed common polluted air Volunteers who breathed clean air Quality of air breathed Heart rates

  15. Quick Review • Science tries to explain the natural world • Science is made through observation and experimentation • Science is continually changing based on new information

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