global perspectives section 1.2 – using science to solve environmental problems
TRANSCRIPT
Global PerspectivesSection 1.2 –
Using Science to Solve Environmental Problems
In order to solve environmental problems, we must first understand
our environment.
The most effective tool that humans
have developed for accurately
understanding the natural world is
science.
There are two basic types of science:
•1. Pure science•2. Applied science
PURE SCIENCE
This type of science seeks to answer
questions about how the natural world works.
Physics and biology are examples.
APPLIED SCIENCE
This type of science uses the information provided by pure science to solve a
problem.Engineering and medicine
are examples.
Environmental science is an applied science.
Many different sciences contribute to environmental science and are needed to
solve environmental problems.
One of the most important foundations of
environmental science is Ecology.
Ecologist study how living things interact with each other and with
their nonliving environments.
In order to find answers, scientists use methods – scientific methods – that
have been found to provide accurate, reliable
answers.
Six steps to the scientific method:
• 1. Observing
OBSERVING
• Scientific experimentation always begins with and rests on a solid foundation of observation.
• Good observations include detailed and accurate descriptions.
• Many scientists have answered important and fundamental scientific questions by simply observing.
Six steps to the scientific method:
• 1. Observing
• 2. Hypothesizing
HYPOTHESIZING
Observations give us answers to questions about the natural world, but they almost always give rise to still more questions.
When a scientist wants to know the answer to a very specific question, forming a hypothesis that can be tested is usually the best way to find an answer.
A hypothesis is an educated guess that guides scientists in their experimentation.
Six steps to the scientific method:
• 1. Observing
• 2. Hypothesizing
• 3. Experimenting
EXPERIMENTING
• Many times, the questions that arise from observations cannot be answered conclusively from general observations.
• In these cases, scientists may do experiments to find answers.
• In an experiment, hypothesis is tested in a controlled environment.
Six steps to the scientific method:
• 1. Observing
• 2. Hypothesizing
• 3. Experimenting
• 4. Organizing and Interpreting Data
ORGANIZING AND INTERPRETING DATA
By keeping accurate records, scientists can use mathematics to determine the meaningfulness of their
experimentation.
Six steps to the scientific method:
• 1. Observing• 2. Hypothesizing• 3. Experimenting• 4. Organizing and Interpreting Data• 5. Using Graphics and Sharing Information
USING GRAPHICS AND SHARING INFORMATION
Organizing data into graphic illustrations helps scientists
analyze the data and explain it clearly to others.
Six steps to the scientific method:
• 1. Observing• 2. Hypothesizing• 3. Experimenting• 4. Organizing and Interpreting Data• 5. Using Graphics and Sharing Information• 6. Communicating Results
Communicating results
After the scientist has analyzed his or her data and
has determined that what has been learned from the
work is important enough to be of interest to other
scientists, the results must be published