Bellwork

1.

What must you find out after conducting an experiment and

collecting data?
A. If the answers are right
B. If the results support your hypothesis
C. If the answers can be corrected
D. If the results can be changed

2.

You want to determine if a new diet medication will help rats to lose
weight. Why is it necessary to have two sets of rats?
A. If some die, you have some left.
B. Some may be picky eaters.
C. To compare rats taking the new medication to rats without the
medication.
D. To compare the rats old diet (the food they eat) to the new food
they eat.

The Nature
of
Science
2010 Virginia Science SOL

Learning Goal:

Students will be able to identify

variables, collect and organize
data, interpret data in charts,
tables, and graphics, analyze
information, make predictions, and
defend conclusions.

Equipped with his five

senses, man explores the
universe around him and
calls the adventure
Science.

Learning Scale:
4.0 Through independent work beyond what was taught in class:
develop a strategy to solve a scientific problem.
use diagrams and models to represent and solve a scientific problem.

3.0 The students will:

define a problem, use appropriate reference materials to
support scientific understanding, plan and carry out scientific
investigation of various types, such as systematic observations
or experiments, identify variables, collect and organize data,
interpret data in charts, tables, and graphics, analyze
information, make predictions, and defend conclusions.
2.The students will:
determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other science specific words and phrases as they are
used in a specific technical context relevant to grades 6-8 texts and topics
describe the key parts of a specific body of knowledge.
define a scientific problem.
describe the safety precautions that should be taken when starting a specific scientific investigation. (
list laboratory safety rules and procedures.
1. The students will:
recognize related academic vocabulary.

THE NATURAL WORLD IS

UNDERSTAND
ABLE
Example: this way of thinking precludes the actions of supernatural beings as
causative agents of natural phenomena and helps to focus research on testable
questions.

The Natural World is

Understandable
The natural world is understandable
through the careful collection and critical
analysis of empirical evidence.
Every discipline in modern science has
derived its principles and paradigms
through this process.

SCIENCE DEMANDS

EVIDENCE

For example, data about the efficacy of a new cancer treatment drug would
require a formal experiment protocol using a control and levels of the
independent variable.

Science Demands Evidence

Scientific knowledge involves a
combination of observations and
inferences.
Scientists use data to make
inferences and formulate
explanations of phenomena.
Data can be obtained through
experimentation or observation.

Characteristics of the scientific

method
Scientists apply various methods in
doing research.
There is no universally accepted
scientific method agreed upon by the
scientific community.
Science does demand that evidence be
empirically collected and analyzed.

SCIENCE IS A BLEND OF

LOGIC
AND
IMAGINATI
ON
Example: Albert Einstein once said logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will
take you everywhere.

Science is a Blend of Logic and

Imagination
Scientific knowledge involves human
imagination, creativity, and inference.
Much of the scientific enterprise is
governed by the ability and creativity of
scientists to visualize different situations
and predict outcomes.

SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE IS

DURAB
LE
For example, our understanding of planetary motion is derived from the work of
Ptolemy, Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton - each contributing a bit of information to
the planetary puzzle.

Scientific Knowledge is
Durable
Scientific ideas are continually tested.
Ideas that are able to withstand the
scrutiny of the scientific community
form the foundations of our current
understandings of the natural world and
how it functions.

Theories and Laws

Examples:
Theory
1. Theory of Natural Selection
2. Theory of Evolution
Laws
1. Force = mass x acceleration
(F=ma)
2. Density = mass/velocity (d=m/v)

Theories and laws

Theories and laws are two different
types of knowledge used by scientists
to describe natural phenomena. They
are equal in terms of scientific validity.
Theories are generally used to explain
complex natural processes not easily
quantifiable.
Laws often use mathematical formulas
to show relationships and make
predictions about the natural world.

SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE IS

SUBJECT
TO
CHANGE
Example: Atomic model plumb pudding model to Bohr Model to the modern
quantum cloud model

Scientific Ideas are Subject to

Change
The drive to elucidate the finer points of
a commonly held scientific paradigm is
what normal science is all about.
Sensitive scientific instruments are
developed to uncover ambiguities
(uncertainties) in expected data. These
may lead to changes in our
understanding.
Although subject to gradual refinement,
the main body of scientific knowledge
is very stable and grows by being
corrected slowly and having its

SCIENTISTS ATTEMPT TO AVOID

BIAS

Example: In scientific community there are ethical practices, such as peer and public
review, which guarantee that scientific endeavors are carried out under universally
accepted standards around the world

Scientists Try to Identify and

Avoid Bias
Since scientists within the same field
tend to share common methodologies
and views, their objectivity must
continually be challenged to ensure
validity of results.

The Nature of
Science
The natural world is understandable
Science demands evidence
Science is a blend of logic and
imagination
Scientific knowledge is durable
Scientific knowledge is subject to change
Scientists attempt to identify and avoid
bias

Evolution of Cell Phones

Evolution of the iPhone

Evolution of Television Sets

Evolution of Portable Music

Players

Evolution of Characters