Processes and Procedures of Science : Processes and Procedures of Science Lesson 1
Objectives : Objectives Distinguish between scientific theory and opinion.
Explain how a theory is supported with evidence.
Explain how new data/information may change existing theories and practices.
State Standards : State Standards Pennsylvania State Science Standard:
3.2 – Inquiry & Design
7.A - Explain and apply scientific and technological knowledge.
7.B – Apply process knowledge to make and interpret observations.
7.C – Identify and use the elements of scientific inquiry to solve problems.
Scientific Investigations : Scientific Investigations
Scientific Investigations : Scientific Investigations Scientists ask many questions to help them understand the nature of the world.
Scientists usually needs to learn what others know about the topic before he forms his question.
Here are some questions a scientist may ask:
Scientific Investigations : Scientific Investigations When a scientist asks a question, he or she comes up with a hypothesis to answer the question.
A hypothesis is a possible answer to a question.
The hypothesis must be able to be tested experimentally.
The experiments give evidence to support or reject the hypothesis.
Scientific Investigations : Scientific Investigations Once the scientist has made observations and collected data, he can analyze the data to infer or make a guess based on the evidence.
Evidence is data or information on which a conclusion can be based.
To infer is to make a guess based on observations.
The scientist may use his data and conclusions to develop models.
Scientific Investigations : Scientific Investigations Scientists can use the method of scientific investigations to develop new technologies.
Hypotheses, Theories, and Opinions : Hypotheses, Theories, and Opinions
Hypotheses, Theories, and Opinions : Hypotheses, Theories, and Opinions Scientists use hypothesis and theories to explain their observations.
If many observations and data support a hypothesis, the hypothesis may become a scientific theory.
A theory is a statement meant to explain something in nature. Although a theory has not been proven, it is supported by scientific evidence.
Hypotheses, Theories, and Opinions : Hypotheses, Theories, and Opinions The main difference between a theory and an opinion is that a theory is supported by scientific evidence while an opinion is not.
Scientists are always making new observations and learning new things. Sometimes, new observations do not agree with an accepted theory.
Scientists may change the theory or develop a new one that explains all observations.
Key Vocabulary : Key Vocabulary Hypothesis
Infer
Evidence
Theory
Practice : Practice For over 2,000 years, most scientists believed that everything in the universe orbited the Earth. Suggest one reason why this theory, now disproved, was so successful.
Consider this statement: “An amount of water at 50oC will be able to dissolve more sugar than the same amount of water at 20oC.” Explain why this statement is a hypothesis.