What is Science?

Essential Questions

What is science? What methods do scientists use? What are the branches of Earth

science?

Science is…

A way of learning about the natural world and the knowledge gained through that process.

Science comes from a Latin word that means “knowing”.

Scientific inquiry is the diverse ways in which scientists explore problems and seek to answer questions about the natural world.

Thinking Like a Scientist

Observation involves using sight, hearing, smell, and sometimes taste to gather information.

Inference is an interpretation based on your observation and prior knowledge.

Scientific Methods Scientific methods generally include

posing questions, research, developing and testing hypotheses, and drawing conclusions. Scientists often test hypotheses by conducting controlled experiments.

Posing questions – Which brand of popcorn will have the fewest kernals?

Research – internet, encyclopedias, etc.

Developing Hypotheses A hypothesis is a possible

explanation for observations that relate to a scientific question.

Tested by observation or experiment. Educated guess - Use “if” and “then” If five bags of each brand of popcorn

is cooked, then Orville Redenbacher's popcorn will have the fewest kernels.

Designing a Controlled Experiment

Controlled Experiment – how one particular variable affects the outcome of the experiment.

Variable is one of the factors that can change in an experiment.

Microwave 3 brands of popcorn. This will be done with 4 bags each brand.

Testing Hypotheses

“Experimenting” at least 3 times or 14 days.

Earth processes are often observed for millions of years!

“Forever Young” – journals were kept on how Mel Gibson stayed young.

Collecting and Interpreting Data

Data – facts, figures, and other evidence gained through observation

CSI – crime data Measurements Analyze the data to see if it supports

their hypothesis.

Measuring

Enables scientists to record what they observe in a way that others can understand easily.

Scientist use a worldwide system International System of Units – SI

units Use metrics – cm, m, mg, liters

Drawing Conclusions

Do not use crayons or markers Making a conclusion based on the

data from your experiment. Relate to the hypotheses….. My hypothesis was incorrect. Wal-

Mart brand had the fewest kernels and tasted the best.

Models & Simulations

A simulation is a model that imitates something in the real world.

Scientific Theories

A well-tested scientific concept that explains a wide range of observations.

When theory tests fail, scientist change the theory or abandon it.

Laboratory Safety

Symbols alert you to needed precautions, such as wearing goggles to protect your eyes.

Technology and the Internet in Earth Science

Two ways that technology helps scientists Collect data Helps them to communicate their

discoveries to other scientists and to the public.

Branches of Earth Science

Earth science – knowledge about Earth and its place in the universe. Geology Oceanography Meteorology Astronomy

Branches Geology – study of the solid Earth. Oceanography – study of Earth’s

oceans. Meteorology – study of Earth’s

atmosphere. Astronomy – study of the universe

beyond Earth. Environmental scientists – study the

environment and it’s resources.

Websites

http://kids.earth.nasa.gov/archive/career/index.html

http://geology.com/ http://www.chevron.com/about/career

s/career_options/earth_science/ http://www.classzone.com/books/ml_s

cience_earth/page_build.cfm?content=careers&state=none#item

Websites http://earthsci.org/ http://yahooligans.yahoo.com/Science

_and_Nature/Careers/ http://www.khake.com/page86.html http://www.earthguide.ucsd.edu/ http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstud

ents/9-12/career/index.html http://www.earth.uni.edu/academics.h

tml

Earth Science Websites http://image.gsfc.nasa.gov/poetry/ask

/askmag.html http://www.kaibab.org/geology/gc_ge

ol.htm http://nasajobs.nasa.gov/astronauts/ http://www.spaceforspecies.ca/space_

tech/careers_space_science.htm http://www.careersmarts.com/science

.htm

Earth Science Websites http://www.eos.ubc.ca/public/careers/i

ndex.html http://www.hrw.com/science/si-scienc

e/index.html http://www.earthsky.org/browse/index

.php?c=General+Science http://scienceforfamilies.allinfo-about.

com/subjects/earthscience.html

Earth Science Websites

http://geology.about.com/b/a/2005_08_21.htm

http://www.ncsu.edu/sciencejunction/terminal/imse/lowres/1/earth.htm

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/links.htm

http://www.kiwicareers.govt.nz/lists/jobs/talpfrm.htm

Websites

http://www.route-one.com/teachers/jaymeherbert/index.asp?pageid=106

http://www.education-world.com/science/

http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/pages/search.asp?catid=6