DO NOW:

• Write down 2 ways science has affected society?

Lesson 6: Science & Society

Miss VentorinoEnvironmental Science

9/30/2014

Today’s Objectives:

• Explain the difference between a hypothesis, theory and principle

• Explain why a scientist requires certain characteristics

• Explain the importance of Environmental Science in society

Science & Society

• Science helps people make better decisions• Science helps people understand what effects

our decisions will have today and in the future

• http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/curiosity/topics/r-brooks-what-are-some-of-the-most-exciting-technological-frontiers.htm

• http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/curiosity/topics/s-pentland-what-are-some-of-the-effects-of-the-internet-on-society.htm

Theories & Principles

• Human knowledge grows by sharing information

• Theories and scientific ideas can change as new discoveries are made– Theory is a well-tested hypothesis that explains

many scientific observations• Ex: Gravity, The Big Bang Theory, Plate Tectonics,

Evolution• Theories may become principles, a basic law or truth

– EX: Law of conservation of mass, Newton’s 1st law of motion

Scientific Information Flow Chart

Hypothesis (With years of research and evidence a hypothesis can

become accepted as a theory.)

Theory

Principle

What makes a good scientist?

What Makes A Good Scientist?

• Qualities of a good scientist:– Curious

• Asks questions

– Honest• Does not fake experimental results

– Patient• Good science takes a lot of time, results are not immediate

– Creative• Design experiments

– Skeptical• Does not accept everything they hear or read• Questions things that do not make sense

– Strong ethic good set of morals• Honest and does the right thing

– Objective• Makes decisions on facts and scientific method

Environmental Science and Society

• Issues in environmental science– New energy sources that don’t pollute– Providing clean water to people who need it– Providing enough food to growing population with

out harming it– Protect species of our planet

• Scientists don’t get to make decisions for societies but provide information to the people who do; government, communities & businesses

Environmental Justice

Environmental Justice

• Dealing with environmental problems in a way that treats everyone equally

• Solving problems and a balancing the positive and negative effects for all groups

• Deals with consequences of decisions:– How will solution affect people’s daily lives– Will it hurt some people more than others?– Is the solution ethical?– How will it affect people today? In the future?

Exit slips