What is Science?

Observation and Inference

What is Science?“Science is the belief in the ignorance of experts.”

“Science is a way of trying not to fool yourself.”Richard Feynman

PhysicistNobel Prize Winner

“Science is an internally consistent set of lies designed to explain away the universe.”

Art BeaucoupPaleobiologist

3-Aspects of Science

Scientific Knowledge

Nature of Science

Science Processes

FactsConceptsModelsLawsTheories

3-Aspects of Science

Science Processes

Scientific Knowledge

Nature of Science

Process Skills:QuestioningObservingMeasuringInferringPredictingClassifying

3-Aspects of Science

Scientific Knowledge

Nature of Science

Science Processes

Science as a way of knowing.

3-Aspects of Science

Scientific Knowledge

Nature of Science

Science Processes

Process vs. Nature of Science

Observation-–Using your 5 senses to gather information about your

surroundings–What you “see” happening

Inference-–A conclusion based on evidence–An “educated guess” –What you “think” is happening

Comics in the Classroom

Make observations and inferences about the following cartoons.

“Notice all the computations, theoretical scribblings, and lab equipment, Norm….Yes, curiosity killed these cats.”

“Notice all the computations, theoretical scribblings, and lab equipment, Norm….Yes, curiosity killed these cats.”

What’s the Point?

• Good way to practice making observations and inferences (process skills)

• Reinforces concept that scientific knowledge is based on observations and inferences (nature of science)

“Field Science” 201

Your science class is on a field trip to a fossil bed in Alberta, Canada. While exploring the site, you discover a slab of rock covered with interesting impressions. Your instructor invites the class to make observations and inferences about the imprints…

Conclusion Points

• Scientific knowledge is a combination of observation and inference.

• Inferences are tentative.

• As you get new data, your inferences can change.

Process vs. Nature of Science

If observations is using your 5 senses to gather information about your surroundings

Observe This

and

Make Observations & Inferences!