Nature of Science
Lesson 1: What do Scientists do?
Words to know: hypothesis
observation
Science is a way of learning about the natural world.
Problems, Decisions and New Ideas
Scientific investigation always begins with a question.
Scientists can help people answer questions, solve problems and form new ideas.
Scientific Research and Knowledge
After Scientists define a problem (ask question), they gather information.
The source used for research must be reliable and appropriate.
Predict and Make Hypothesis
Scientists use the research and information to form a prediction, or a “hypothesis”.
A hypothesis is a statement of what you think will happen during an investigation.
It is often written in the form of an “if...then..because” statement”.
Make Observations
One important skill of a scientist is making “observations”.
An observation is something you find out about objects, events or living things by using your senses.
Scientists use tools such as thermometers, microscopes, scales, etc. to extend their senses.
Draw Conclusions
Scientists use their observations and information to draw conclusions.
They organize, analyze and evaluate their information to help draw conclusions.
When they draw a conclusion, they summarize what they have learned.
The Engineer Design Process (EDP)
Engineers design, construct, and maintain the human world.
Just like Science involves the practice of “Scientific Inquiry”; Engineering involves the “Design Process” which is a set of methods used to create a solution to a problem or need.
STep 1: Identify a Problem
STep 2: Research the Problem & brainstorm
The first step in the EDP(Engineer Design Process) is to determine a problem or need, document all questions, research and procedures that will be needed.
The next step is to research what other people have done to solve this problem. After the research is completed the team will brainstorm multiple solutions to the problem.
Step 3: Design Solutions
Once engineers have brainstormed a list of solutions, they select the best one. Before designing the solution, engineers must consider constraints.
Constraints are limitations put on the product from outside factors.
Materials that are required for the solution may also present some constraints.
Step 4: Test & Evaluate
Step 6: Communicate
Step 5: Redesign
During all stages of the design process, the design must be tested and reviewed . This allows the engineer to find and correct problems.
After testing and evaluating is completed, the engineers could determine that the model needs to be redesigned.
After they test, evaluate and redesign, engineers share the data with other engineers & scientists
Lesson 2: How do scientists investigate?
Words to know: experiment control group
variable procedures
Scientific Investigation
Scientific investigation begins with an observation.
Someone observes something, then asks a question about the observation and collects data to answer their question.
4 reliable types of investigations include:
Steps for Investigation
Variable- anything that can change
Scientists only test one variable at a time.
Independent variable- the variable you change
(cause)
Dependent variable- the change that occurred
(effect)
Lesson 3: How do scientists collect and interpret data?
Words to know: data accuracy
precision inference
Data Collecting
Data is information from which a conclusion can be drawn or a prediction can be made.
Scientists track data with tables and graphs.
Tools
Scientists use many different kinds of tools to collect data.
Tools also help measure things and gather information.
You can measure volume, temperature, length, distance, mass, time and more with the proper tools.
Scientific Inquiry often requires the use of tools.
Organize and Interpret Data
Data can be organized in many ways, including tables, graphs, charts and graphics.
Scientists use values such as the mean, median and mode, and range when they interpret data.
Make Inferences
Scientific observations are different from opinions. An opinion is a personal belief and is not always based on facts.
An inference is a conclusion based on observations.
Ex: The dog is barking because it sees a rabbit.
Lesson 4: How do scientists support their conclusions?
Words to know: evidence
Draw and Defend Conclusions
After analyzing information that has been collected, scientists draw conclusions about what they have discovered. Scientists should never allow their opinions to influence the process and should only report facts.
If another scientist questions the methods then the evidence from the investigations must be researched and reviewed.
Evidence
A scientist’s investigations must be replicable, or repeatable by other scientists. Their conclusions must be based on evidence.
Evidence is a set of observations that make you believe that something is true.
It is important for scientists to communicate with and accept feedback from one another.