What is Science?

Brainstorm:

In small groups list all of the characteristics that help define science from other subjects. Once you have completed your list of what is science, then try to generate of list of things that would not be considered science.

What IS Science? / What ISN’T Science?

Your Definition:

With your group, use your brainstorming ideas to create your own complete definition of science.

Our Definition:

Your teacher will provide you with a more universal definition of science. Write it down.

The Scientific Method

v Science starts with curiosity!

o  Scientists are keen observers of the world and are curious about how it works

o  Once a problem or central question is found, a scientist will seek evidence of the answer

v Hypothesis

o  All good science starts with a good prediction

o  A hypothesis is an informed prediction which can be tested by experiment

o  Must be falsifiable! (can in theory be proven wrong)

o  Often we use “if/then” statements
examples: “If the weather is humid, then a Frisbee will travel further when thrown.”
“If car tires are kept at equal pressure, then the car will use less gasoline.”

v Law

o  A law only states what happens – it does not attempt to explain reasons why.

o  An action or condition that has been observed so consistently that scientists believe that it will always happen (eg. law of gravity).

o  A law requires no theoretical basis. (i.e. it does NOT require an explanation)

v Theory

o  A theory is used to:

§  Explain why certain observations occur

§  Predict what observations will occur in future experiments
example: “Dinosaurs became extinct as a result of a cooled climate caused by a large meteor and large volcanic eruptions.”
example: “All living creatures on Earth evolved from a common ancestor”

o  We cannot say a theory is true or false. We can only say it is supported or not supported by scientific evidence

cannot say a theory is true or false.

We can only say it is supported or
not supported by scientific evidence


Typical sequence of experiments:


In Short


Scientific Method Planner

Laws, Theories and Hypotheses Practice

Part 1: Identify the following as a law, theory, or hypothesis:

(a) Matter cannot be created or destroyed law theory hypothesis

(b) If students complete their daily homework, law theory hypothesis

then they will perform better on tests.

(c) Ice floats on water because it is less dense than law theory hypothesis
liquid water

(d) Atoms combine in definite proportions law theory hypothesis

Part 2: Make a hypothesis for the following situations. Use If / then statements.

1) You noticed that your car stops faster in the snow when it has winter tires. You want to test this observation. What is your hypothesis?
2) A teacher noticed that the scores on tests were lower when students reported not sleeping enough the night before the test.

3) The dentist told you that your chances of getting cavities are higher if you don’t brush your teeth twice a day. You have your doubts and want to test this. What is your hypothesis?

Part 3: For each of the statements in part one propose a theory to explain them.
(Note: in real science, we cannot simply “make up” a theory, it must be based on experimental results and/or strong evidence.)

1) ______

______
2) ______

______
3) ______

______