What is Science? What is Science? What is Science? Science is an organized way of using Evidence to learn about the natural world. Chapter 1 pg 3.

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1 What is Science? Chapter 1 pg 3. What is Science? Science is an organized way of using Evidence to learn about the natural world. What is Science? Goal of Science: To investigate and understand nature, to explain events in nature, and to use those explanations to make useful predications. WHY????

2 What is Science? Only deals with the natural world Look for order, patterns, and connections Propose explanations to be tested Experiments that yield data (evidence) What is Biology? Study of life. (bacteria, viruses, humans, whales, birds, plants, fungi etc.) And their interactions w/each other and the world. Why Study Biology? Biology In Your Life: Sports, health (mental/physical), diet (appearance), environmental (pollutants, water, resources), animal life (recreational)

3 Jobs that Require Biology Medical engineer, doctor, nurse, physical/sports therapist, research, nutrition/fitness, environmentalist, forestry, naturalist, teacher, politician, genetist etc. 1.Observation -first step in scientific process -use senses (taste, touch, smell, sight and sound)-avoid bias (what s bias??) -quantity (quantitative) quality (qualitative) 2. Hypothesis-IF...THEN...STATEMENT usually Many ways to test usually use scientific method (Controlled Experiment) Does your experiment support the hypothesis or not (testable experiment) Inference- based on prior knowledge and/or experience an educated guess on what might happen

4 For Example: You notice a fish dies in your fish tank when you put salt in the tank. If salt is put in the tank of a goldfish then the fish will die. You notice a light is out in your bathroom If the bulb is replaced then the light will work again. 3. Set up a controlled experiment to test the hypothesis Variables are things that can change in an experiment. Only one variable is changed. Manipulated Variable (independent) Every other variable is held constant (controlled variables or constants) One group get the treatment (experimental) and one doesn t (control group) After the experiment the scientist measures and observes the results (responding or dependent variable) Controlled Experiments If salt (manipulated variable) is put in the tank of a goldfish then the fish will die (responding variable). Type of fish, tank size, food, etc. are held constant. If the bulb is replaced (manipulated) then the light will work again (responding). The type of bulb, electric circuit, room, etc. will be held constant.

5 4. Record procedure, and results carefully 5. Conclude whether hypothesis was supported or refuted 6. Repeat the experiment, do additional experiments, go further -Science is a never ending process. There are always changes and research needs to be challenged to further our knowledge of the world around us. -People who are not scientists use the scientific method all the time, make observations, try to fix problem or test inferences, and analyze the results (problem-solving). Mechanics, teachers, sports, children, mothers etc. WE DO THIS ALL THE TIME. When Experiments Are Not Possible Field Work- some knowledge can not be gained through controlled experiments alone. For example ecology and animal behavior must be studied in the field at times. Must make observations without disturbing wild organisms or ecosystems. Another example is clinical studies. They use patients with disorders or diseases. Scientists still try to control variables as best they can.

6 Theory Well-established explanation that unifies a broad range of observations. After many, many experiments are done by many different scientists a theory may be formed.