NATURE OF SCIENCE & SCIENCE EDUCATION

Devi N. Choesin
School of Life Sciences & Technology Institut Teknologi Bandung Bandung, Indonesia

Nature of Science A Review Science Education Teaching

Main References:
science-class.net/PowerPoints/TheNatureofScience.ppt www.justinsiena.org/s/353/.../The%20Nature%20of%20Science.ppt www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/.../Methods%20of%20Scie nce.ppt 129.123.92.202/biol1010.../PowerPoints/Nature%20of%20Scienc e%20.ppt Lawson, A. 1995. Studying for Biology. Harpers Collins College Publishers. Staver, John. 2007. Teaching Science. International Academy of Education. UNESCO. Uno, G.E. 1999. Handbook on teaching undergraduate science courses. Saunders College Publishing.

What is SCIENCE?
There are several correct answers to this question; list as many as you can.

What is SCIENCE?
Some answers........ A way to answer questions & solve problems How we understand the world around us A way or process used to investigate what is happening around you It provides possible answers

Science is a way of knowing based on experimental or observational evidence and its interpretation Science is a discipline largely defined by its primary method the scientific method.

Scientific Method

Science
Tentative, uncertain Cannot solve all kinds of problems One way of knowing about the universe Attempts to explain natural phenomena in natural terms Deals only with facts and the operation of natural laws Involves rigorous, systematic use of observations and logic to attempt to disprove or invalidate possible solutions, not prove them

Characteristics
Most fundamental concept is CAUSE AND EFFECT Deals only with natural (physical) universe Based on repeatably observable facts Relies on observation Conviction that natural processes have natural causes Second major characteristic is hypothetico-deductive thinking Science is a thoroughly human enterprise

Cause & Effect

Most fundamental concept of science is that of cause and effect: i.e., A causes B; Scientists are never satisfied with simply describing events in the natural world; strive to show relationships between events and to explain them

From http://www.702communications.com/~ahill/Parent.html

Cause & Effect?

Hypothetico-Deductive Thinking
Inductive reasoning - specific to the general Deductive reasoning - general to the specific Deductive reasoning starts with general rule or premise, then make conclusion about something specific.

Example: All turtles have shells The animal I have captured is a turtle I conclude that the animal in my bag has a shell

Hypothetico-Deductive Thinking
Inductive reasoning - specific to the general Making conclusion based on set of empirical data. If I observe that something is true many times, concluding that it will be true in all instances is a use of inductive reasoning. Example: All sheep that I've seen are white All sheep must be white Most scientific discoveries made using inductive reasoning

Methods always involve the following: Hypothetico-deductive reasoning Careful observation of natural events Asking questions Forming hypotheses (testable assumptions) Testable, verifiable, falsifiable Inference from observations Remember: never proven, never right or wrong Data either support, fail to support, or inconclusive Confirmed hypotheses become points of information within a theory. Testing hypotheses

We answer scientific questions & solve problems with 2 types of research. What are the two types?

We answer scientific questions and solve problems with 2 types of research. What are the two types?

1. Descriptive Research (Discovery or Observational Science) 2. Experimental Research (Hypothesis driven)

DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH

DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH
Based mainly on Observations Used when experiments are impossible to perform Involves the following:
Stating the research objective Describing the research design Eliminating bias

Some Scientific Questions Cant Be Answered By Experimentation

One current view of hominid evolution. Discovery or observational science is still science; falsifiable hypotheses based on natural phenomenon are proposed to best account for observations.

Some Scientific Questions Cannot Be Answered By Experimentat

EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH

EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
Experimental research includes investigations that:
Have variables Test hypotheses May have a control or control group Is a set of planned steps Tests one variable at a time

Make predictions based on hypotheses, test the predictions Test these predictions through experiments Mental, mathematical, computer model, physical Variables (conditions that change) Independent vs. dependent Controls (conditions held constant) Positive & negative Control experiment Control group Experimental group Repeatable and repeated

Scientific Experiments
Can be mental, mathematical, computer simulations, or physical procedures Have variables, or conditions that can change When possible, only one condition changed, and in specific way by the scientist referred to as the independent variable Doing this increases the certainty that the observed results are caused by this variable When possible, changes in the dependent variable must be quantified Dependent variable = condition that changes as result of manipulation of independent variable

To be considered scientifically valid, experiments must be repeatable and repeated i.e.-must be possible to do the experiment over, preferably by different scientists, yielding similar results each time To further strengthen cause-and-effect relationship, all other variables need to be controlled. Good experiments contain at least one experimental group and at least one control group In the experimental group, the chosen variable is changed while all other conditions are held constant In the control group, all conditions are held constant.

Draw conclusions based upon results Deductive reasoning, i.e., reasoning from the specific to the general Communicate results to other scientists and to public

What is a VARIABLE?

VARIABLE
A part of an investigation that can be CHANGED

List the 3 TYPES OF VARIABLES

List the 3 TYPES OF VARIABLES

1.Independent Variable

2.Dependent Variable
3.Controlled Variable

Explain INDEPENDENT VARIABLE

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE
The variable that can be changed during an experiment The variable that the scientists chooses to change The variable that may cause a change in the dependent variable

Explain DEPENDENT VARIABLE

Explain DEPENDENT VARIABLE

The factor that is being measured in an experiment

The variable that is measured by scientists The variable that may change because of the independent variable

CONTROLLED VARIABLE (CONSTANT)

CONTROLLED VARIABLE (CONSTANT)

Variable that stays the same during an experiment Variable that is controlled by the scientist Variable that is not allowed to change

What is the difference between Science and Technology?

What is the difference between Science and Technology?

Technology is the application of science; Science gaining knowledge Technology using knowledge

Scientists study nature in order to advance human knowledge. Engineers apply their knowledge of science, mathematics and economics to develop useful devices, structures and processes. Technologists apply science and mathematics to well-defined problems that generally do not require the depth of knowledge possessed by engineers and scientists.
(Holtzapple & Reece. Concepts in Engineering)

How do scientists OBSERVE?

How do scientists OBSERVE? Using the 5 senses: Hearing Touch Smell Sight Taste

Observation
Observation refers to the ability to sense a natural phenomenon through careful, analytical, attention e.g.-noticing that your cat wakes you at 5:30 AM every morning is an observation. Various tools used Makes use of all human senses

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Nature of Science

Facts
Facts = verifiable, repeatable observations i.e.- information that has objective reality arrived at through observation Science demands that there be general agreement on the facts e.g., it is a fact, (it is true) that, if I drop a brick from the roof of this building, it will fall to the ground. This act can be repeated many times, by many individuals, with all agreeing on the result It is a fact that a litre of water weighs 1 kg

Theories & Laws

Laws - describes what nature does under certain conditions, and will predict what will happen as long as those conditions are met. (http://science.kennesaw.edu/~rmatson/3380theory.html) Theories - comprehensive explanation of an important feature of nature; supported by many facts gathered over time; allow scientists to make predictions about as yet unobserved phenomena. Objective - all data considered Rational - clear, logical connections between data while forming theory Highest level of reliability in science

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Nature of Science

Data
Data - information about natural world gathered directly/indirectly through senses Quantifiable Greatest accuracy possible Experimenters choice Verifiable & verified

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Nature of Science

How do we RECORD DATA?

How to RECORD DATA

Data Tables A way to record results and observations accurately Have a descriptive title Divided into columns & rows Shows the independent variable Provides a place to record the dependent variable

How do scientists COMMUNICATE the results of their work?

How do scientists COMMUNICATE the results of their work?

Reported in scientific journals Science journals Presentations to other scientists

How do we ANALYZE DATA?

How to ANALYZE DATA

Reduce the data with the best measure of central tendency Graph the data Look for patterns and relations Look at the shape of the graph

What do scientists do when they DRAW CONCLUSIONS?

What do scientists do when they DRAW CONCLUSIONS?

Answer the original question State whether or not the hypothesis was supported (it is never right or wrong) Pose questions for further research

What is a HYPOTHESIS?

Define HYPOTHESIS
A statement that can be tested by conducting an experiment Prior knowledge, new information, observations can be used to form a hypothesis

Scientists then often form a hypothesis Possible explanation for an event or set of observations, a testable assumption Developed by making an inference from a set of specific observations to reach a general conclusion e.g., you observe that each time you spray an ant, a bee, or a wasp, with Raid, it dies. From these observations you infer that Raid kills all insects Based on repeatable observation, experience and literature research

A hypothesis is not an educated guess. Beginning scientists often write down their hypothesis in "if....then" format e.g- since cockroaches are insects, you could write, "If I treat cockroaches with RAID, then they will die Not right or wrong; data either support or fail to support Can never, under any circumstances, be proven Must be testable and falsifiable.

Why are REPEATED TRIALS necessary in an experiment?

Why are REPEATED TRIALS necessary in an experiment? To make sure results are valid The more trials conducted, the more likely the results are reliable To make sure a fluke is not considered the true result

Why do scientists use MODELS?

Why do scientists use MODELS?

To save time and money when testing ideas that are Very large Very small Dangerous Time-consuming

How (Most) Science Works The Scientific Method and Hypothesis-Driven Science

Its not all mechanics intuition, hunches, and a feel for the system under study drive scientific investigations.

Should be

falsifiable.

A Classic Application of the Scientific Method

Note that its fine to have more than one testable hypothesis.

A Classic Application of the Scientific Method

Note that two independent experiments reject the hypothesis of spontaneous generation and support the alternative hypothesis that life comes only from existing life.

Scientific Proof?

Rejection of a hypothesis proves it wrong; support of a hypothesis doesnt prove it right.

Provisional Assent Scientific Ideas Can Only Be Proven Wrong

A theory stands because observations or experimentation never proves its tenets wrong.
This doesnt prove the theory is correct only that its never been proved wrong. In this sense, scientific knowledge is provisional. But whats a theory?

Fact, Hypothesis and Theory

These terms, especially theory, are commonly misunderstood.

A fact is an undisputed piece of information derived from observation.

A hypothesis is a testable prediction.

A good hypothesis should be falsifiable.

A theory is a general set of principles that explain some natural phenomenon. Examples of scientific theories are the theory of gravitation, the atomic theory, the cell theory, and the theory of evolution.

Science Education

The field concerned with sharing science content and process with individuals not traditionally considered part of the scientific community. The target individuals may be children, college students, or adults within the general public. The field of science education comprises science content, some social science, and some teaching pedagogy. The standards for science education provide expectations for the development of understanding for students through the entire course of their K-12 education. The traditional subjects included in the standards are physical, life, earth, and space

The TEACHER is the KEY......

Six characteristics that students desire in their instructors (Uno 1999): Being prepared and organized; Being enthusiastic about teaching; Presenting information clearly; Being able to stimulate students thinking; Being knowledgeable; and Enjoying teaching and working with students.

Characteristics of Effective Teachers

(Uno 1999) 1. Alert, appears enthusiastic 2. Appears interested in students and activities 3. Cheerful, optimistic 4. Self-controlled, not easily upset 5. Has a sense of humor

6. Recognizes and admits own mistakes

7. Is fair, impartial, objective and patient 8. Is knoledgeable 9. Shows understanding in working with students and is sensitive to students personal and educational problems 10. Is friendly and courteous to students

Characteristics of Effective Teachers

(Uno 1999)

11. Commends effort and praises work well done 12. Encourages students to do their best 13. Organizes classroom procedures well, but is flexible within over-all plant 14. Stimulates pupils through interesting and original materials and techniques 15. Conducts practical demonstrations and gives clear explanations and directions 16. Encourages students to work through their own problems and evaluate their accomplishments 17. Disciplines in quiet, dignified, and positive manner 18. Gives help willingly 19. Foresees and attempts to resolve potential difficulties 20. Is an effective questioner and listerner, encouraging widespread response from student.

Inquiry Instruction

Inquiry is a teaching method that allows students to discover or construct information for themselves instead of an instructor telling them that information. Inquiry has been identified as the central strategy for teaching science.

Scientific Inquiry
Science demands evidence (observations of
phenomena) Science is a blend of logic and imagination Science explains and predicts Scientists try to identify and avoid bias

In a typical inquiry-oriented class, students.....

1. Are confronted with a question, problem, or observations of some natural phenomenon 2. Propose explanations to the natural phenomenon, generate possible answers to the question (hypothesis-making), or develop solutions to the problem (experimental design) 3. Conduct experiments, collect data using scientific methods of investigation, analyze and interpret data.

In a typical inquiry-oriented class, students.....

4. Evaluate possible answers or solutions based on data, and identify the main concept; and 5. Apply concepts learned to new situations and problems

How you can create inquiry activities

1. Identify the main idea/concept that you want your students to discover or investigate. 2. Look for a pattern in nature, a misconception students have, or some observable natural phenomenon. 3. Provide students with some background information that lays the groundwork for an investigation but does not reveal the concept. 4. Ask a question or have students conduct a specific short activity that leads them to discover part of the whole story.

How you can create inquiry activities

5. If students dont come up with a question themselves, supply additional information or direct students to conduct another activity(ies) that leads to the main point of the investigation or reveals more of the story. 6. Allow students to review what has been investigated and to tie the story together. 7. Encourage students to go beyond what they have just learned provide them with an opportunity to apply their knowledge in the study of a related question of their own choosing or an experiment of their own design.

One last note.......

Please make good use of the World Wide Web: there are many excellent teaching resources and ideas on-line.....