Chapter 1 – Science Skills
1.1 - What is Science?
Science is a system of knowledge and the methods you use to find that knowledge.
Science begins with curiosity and often ends with discovery.
While curiosity can provide many questions, it is rarely enough to find the answers to questions.
Two different kinds of observations can be made during experiments. They are quantitative and qualitative.
Quantitative means numerical.
Qualitative means descriptive.
*Can you think like a scientist? Sure you can! Give it a try! In the space provided below write down everything that you are observing during the demonstration. Remember, try to think outside the box! There are no incorrect answers!
Technology is the use of knowledge to solve practical problems.
Science and technology go hand in hand. Advances in one lead to advances in another.
*Brainstorm daily uses of technology and how technology in the classroom has changed over the last 5 years.
Branches of Science
Physical Science Earth and Space Life Science
Physics Chemistry Geology Astronomy Botany Zoology
Meteorology Oceanograhpy Ecology Genetics
1.2 – Using a Scientific Approach
Scientists use the scientific method to answer questions about the world around them.
The scientific method is an organized plan for gathering, organizing, and communication information.
There are six major steps to the scientific method.
1. Make observations
2. Ask questions
3. Develop a hypothesis
4. Test hypothesis with experiment
5. Analyze data and draw conclusions
6. Develop theory
An observation is information that you obtain through your senses. The scientific method often begins with observations. Once an observation is made, a question can be asked.
For example: When you walk and run in the rain, you get wet. You find that standing in the rain gets you much wetter than walking in the rain. You can combine these 2 observations and ask the question, “How does your speed affect how wet you get when you are caught in the rain?”
A hypothesis is a proposed answer to a question. A hypothesis must be and “if”, “then” statement.
For example: If I run faster, then the drier I will stay.
Scientists perform experiments to test their hypothesis. In an experiment, any factor that can change is called a variable. For example: You are testing how wet you get when going different speeds in the rain. So, you are changing your speed, thus, speed is the variable.
There are 2 types of variables in an experiment. They are manipulated (independent) variable and responding (dependent) variable.
Manipulated (independent) variable – the variable that causes a change in another.
For example: The manipulated or indepent variable is the speed at which you move in the rain.
Responding (dependent) variable – the variable that changes in response to the manipulated variable. The responding variable can be measured.
For example: The amount of water that hits you is the responding or dependent variable. You can measure the amount of water that hits you.
A controlled experiment is an experiment in which only one variable is deliberatively changed at a time.
Drawing conclusions is the next step of the experiment. For example, scientists found that a person walking in the rain accumulated more water than the person that ran in the rain did. If the data does not support the hypothesis, a scientist can revise or propose a new one.
Once a hypothesis has been supported, a theory can be developed. A scientific theory is a well-tested explanation for a set of observations or experimental results. Theories are never proved, they become stronger if the facts continue to support them.
In the space provided below, draw the scientific method chart found on page 8 in your textbook.
A scientific law is a statement that summarizes a pattern found in nature. A scientific law describes an observed pattern in nature without attempting to explain it. The explanation of such a pattern is provided by a scientific theory.
Scientific models make it easier to understand things that might be too difficult to observe directly. For example, a model of the solar system.
Section 1.3 – Measurement
I finished my homework assignment in 2! What does that mean to you? What is the number 2 missing?
In order for a measurement to make sense, there must be a unit. Scientists use a set of measuring units called SI, or the International System of Units.
The SI system is based upon 7 metric units. We will focus on 4 of them.
SI Base Units
Quantity / Unit / SymbolLength / Meter / m
Mass / Kilogram / kg
Temperature / Kelvin / K
Time / Second / s
Length – a straight line distance between two points
Mass – the quantity of matter in a object
Temperature – how hot an object is
There are two terms that can also be used to describe a measurement. Those terms are precision and accuracy.
Precision is a gauge of how exact a measurement is. Accuracy is the closeness of a measurement to the actual value being measured.
1.4 – Presenting Scientific Data
Scientists can organize their data by using data tables and graphs. These tools make it easier to spot patterns or trends in the data that can support or disprove a hypothesis.
A data table is the simplest way to organize data. Below is an example of a data table.
Average Annual Precipitation for Selected U.S. Cities
City
/ Average Annual Precipitation (cm)Buffalo, N.Y. / 98.0
Chicago, ILL. / 91.0
Colorado Springs, Colo. / 41.2
Houston, Tex. / 117.0
A line graph is useful for showing changes that occur in related variables. In a line graph, the manipulated (independent) variable is plotted on the x-axis and the responding (dependent) variable is on the y-axis.
A bar graph is often used to compare a set of measurements, amounts, or changes.
A circle graph is a divided circle that shows how a part or share of something relates to the whole.